Project # 2 from the Lexi Erickson Art Jewelry Workshop.
Our second project was a set of three sterling silver stacking rings. This gave us the opportunity to experiment more with textures and it was my first attempt to solder metal. I love to solder and prior to this experience, I had lots of soldering experience with stained glass window construction. Well, this is nothing like stained glass soldering.
I learned about the torch and how to solder these three bands. Totally new for me. We learned how to size the rings. Add a variety of textures, which this photo doesn't show very well. One was hammered, another had a bit of sawing to add furrows and the last one was left plain. We learned the importance of having a flat edge to create a butt joint. And then, the soldering. Clean up in the pickle solution (a combination of sulfuric acid and water in a mini crock pot). And then the final polishing. I was hooked with project #1, but it just kept getting better.
As promised, here is a picture of the second set of earrings from Project #1. I created a different texture on this pair and we learned about applying liver of sulpher to darken the copper. Basically the same shape as the first pair, just another technique applied.
Each project built on the skills learned in the previous project. It just became more fascinating to me.
7 comments:
Kathleen, your projects are coming out beautifully! Every time I hear you talking about what you've learned I want to fly out there and take that class! It sounds like a positively excellent intro to silversmithing. Can't wait to see how you integrate what you are learning into your work:)
Kathleen, All of these turned out soooo nice! What a great class you had! I'm eager to see the rest of the things you made there.
Very cool, Kathleen. It's great to "hear" the enthusiasm for this new venture.
Hey Shay! That would be great if you headed out here. I know you would love Lexi and her workshop. We'd have great fun. Thanks!
Hi Sandy. This was quite the class. We learned a semesters worth of information/techniques. Pretty much non-stop each day, but that didn't bother me in the least. I almost forgot to eat on Saturday I was so immersed. :D
Hey Elizabeth. Thanks! Nice that my enthusiasm is coming through on these posts!
Oooh I love those copper fan earrings, gorgeous!
Kathleen, this is all getting better and better. Imagine my complete surprise when I open your page and see rings!! I start imagining what will happen with what you've been doing with the beads and earrings lately, and those little bits of glass, and now this. So exciting. I can metal-smith vicariously through you now (I dabbled a teeny bit). One of my favorite teachers here in Chicago was Sarah Chapman (chapmanmetals.com)--you might like to see her work too.
Can't wait to see and hear more!
Thanks Nic, you are soooo kind.
Hi Karen. Glad you are enjoying the changes in my work. I'm anxious to incorporate my glass too. And thanks for the link to Sarah's website. Wow, now that's some really cool stuff! She does nice work.
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