reticulation help

[wheely]

I posted before that I have a huge fear of naked flames, and am hoping, if I ever actually do it, that this will help me conquer it, cos I'll need a bigger flame than I've used before - only ever used a little hand torch. I've never done it, so, any advice peeps? Is there a stage I need to watch for before it melts?

[MuranoSilver]

Wheely
I suggest you forget about going straight for perfection and use some scrap to experiment with & melt the metal on purpose.
Do it a few times and view how the metal goes shiny just before melting...that will really help
Nic xx

[Cathy at the Beach]

I agree with Nic. I do a lot of "reticulation" ( I put it in quotes because I do this by the seat of my pants and use 925 silver rather than reticulation silver- and probably am not using very orthodox in my procedure- that comes
with no formal training! )

Take a scrap and heat it all over with a hot flame until it goes shiny..back off with the flame- then repeat. Pickle and repeat. Each time you do it get it a bit hotter and eventually you'll see ripples and the edges will curl a bit. Pickle again and repeat. Stop when you like the effect.

Its fun to do and very organic looking! Love reticulation!!!

[wheely]

I didn't realise there was a silver for reticulation.

My cat's just been run over

[lorraineflee]

My cat's just been run over

That's awful - is there any hope for it?
Lorraine

[wheely]

No, he's in pussy heaven now, out of pain. His head was run over, but he didn't die instantly which upset me more than him being run over, cos he was such a mess, it was horrible, one of them horribles you see every time you close your eyes. These animals...break your heart as much as humans

[Di Sandland]

wheely, I am sooo sorry. Big hugs - but I can't take the visions away.

[bustagasket]

oh that so sad, i am so very sorry. big hugs

[wheely]

Thanks guys, he looked like the stuff nightmares are made of, which makes the visions worse. I could describe it but you'd all feel sick after. Much crying and red eyedness, and choccie cookies to make it better - not that they're working. Decided to make something. Have an idea in my head and hopefully I can pull it off - got my class tomorrow so he can help me.

And back to reticulation. Thanks for the advice Nic and Cathy, I'll give it a go - though my 'tribute' to Bambi seems more important now.

[caroleallen]

Sorry to hear about your cat - how horrible for you. Reticulation's easy peasy if you've got the right torch.