My first efforts

[steelarts]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum and to making jewellery. This is my first effort at making a ring and I made plenty of mistakes but I also learned a lot from making said mistakes. I'm a gun engraver by trade and the engraved monogram and shoulders are by me. I am pleased with the way it turned out. Any constructive critique is most welcome as my aim is to keep improving.

cheers,
Marcus

[ps_bond]

Hi Marcus - I think you're the only full-time engraver on here, I'm afraid; that will make a critique kind of tricky. What was the ring before you started working it?

Folks, if you haven't seen Marcus' website, I would heartily recommend it - he does fantastic work (and on more than guns too).

[steelarts]

Hi Peter, sorry I should've said that the ring was a die struck signet ring blank from Cooksons that I made up. I used a sterling silver blank as I figured it was better to make my mistakes on a cheap ring than a gold one! I learned a lot from the exercise, not least how to solder and how to resize (as I made it too big), LOL.

[MuranoSilver]

Wow - Marcus that is amazing
Firstly to the forum
I love solid textured jewellery and your engraving is so visually interesting balancing the ring design perfectly!
Was the original ring cast in wax? Hope it's the first of many as if that's your first go, I can't wait to see what you make next!
On another note I would like to get intertwined initials drawn for myself (to use as a logo), unfortunately my shop name
leave me with MS and my own is NC neither of which seem to work well.
(I want to have it made into a stamp for my work later too)
Any advice?
Nic xx

[lorraineflee]

Hi Marcus and welcome - I am in total awe of your engraving!
Lorraine

[ps_bond]

What flux did you use for soldering it? I'm gradually coming round to using Auflux for things; I don't find it as effective as borax for sticking paillons in place, but it does seem better in most ways.

These are much deeper cuts than you'd usually use on steel, aren't they?

Are you looking to stick with part-made components, or move over to fabrication from scratch for this endeavour?

[caroleallen]

I'm immensely impresssed by that engraving. It's something I'd love to master as part of my journey with enamel.

[Di Sandland]

that is incredibly beautiful and impressive. I am in awe

[Sunnybank]

Wow! ................

[snow_imp]

The engraving is amazing and produces a beautiful result. Welcome.