Silversmith lessons 2,3,4

Have had four lessons so far and am enjoying it.

1st lesson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../DSCF0925a.jpg


2nd lesson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...erbracelet.jpg


3rd lesson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ringsfirst.jpg


4th lesson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...tependanta.jpg

I am hooked. Now to find space and money to set up. Haven't finished course yet though.

Cheers
Judy

They look good! Any chance of you talking us through each of them? What techniques you were using that was new on each piece, for example?

I started from scratch as I had no skills to speak of.
Measure, cut, file, shape, solder, sand, polish.

For number 2 was added making and soldering jump rings, hammering, making the catch.

The earrings I designed, sawing, filing, hammering, shaping a ball, shaping the wire and trying to get all the shapes in both earrings similar. Used liver of sulphur to get the black contrast. Learned to make the ear wires.

The pendant was designing, marking out, measuring, sawing, soldering, adding the decoration and soldering, making a bail at the back and doing the bezel, shaping the bezel wire for a better fit. Polishing and trying to clean out the oxidisation from the nooks and crannies.

I am not sure what is coming next, another bezel I think.

Cheers
Judy

You definately have the talent Judy, but I think you also have a good teacher if you can do this in four lessons. As you are a midwife, note that small heamostats, annaeled so that their grip can be opened a little and the teeth filed off, can support small objects such as ear posts in an upright position for soldering. The scissor ends will rest them securely on a soldering block, leaving your hands free. Of course you may know this already. Kind regards, Dennis.

I love the earrings! Fab work. What course is it you're doing?

Thanks Dennis, I didn't know that.
Basic silversmithing Wheely.
Cheers
Judy

Hi, I am really impressed with your work. I went to evening classes to learn but made most of my stuff at home and took it into college to finish off. You have covered a lot of ground in such a short time, and the teacher must be good too. Carry on the good work.

Wow, wish my basic silversmithing course had been that good. in a 10 week term I glued some tiny cabs to be bit of silver sheet and some earrings and that was it! Maybe it was because my course may have been a "basic" one but most of the class were back for the 4th or 5th time so were much more progressed than us newbies who felt like we got none of the tutors time.

Keep up the good work - they all look fab. Hope the rest of the course is just as good.

Great stuff - you're obviously talented and hopefully my teacher push us as hard as yours obviously did!

Thanks for the additional detail - it's nice seeing what the progression of skills development is; nicely done!