Beginner's Project Ideas

[Goldsmith]

Hi Sandra,
I assume that you have a piercing saw frame and some blades in your tool collection. If so then how about learning to saw pierce. When I was an apprentice I spent the first 6 months at the bench doing nothing but piercing and filing. At first I was given a piece of flat silver sheet, told to design an entwined monogram of some initials, draw in onto the silver sheet, scratch it with a scriber, then pierce it out. In these modern days you could use a computer to design and print out a monogram or similar, stick it onto some flat metal sheet and pierce and file. In my career I have made thousands of monograms this way, they have been used as earrings, pendants, key chains, ring details and additions to many boxes etc. Learn some piercing skills and you can then cut any shapes you wish in the future. If you make items from scratch using sheet and wires piercing is an important skill to learn.

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your future creations.

James

[Sandra]

Thanks again Wallace for the advice.

I have a little copper and silver sheet, silver wire in different gauges (some in heavy gauge 5mm) as well as silver & copper disc blanks. I have other copper blanks in various shapes like little hearts, keys, etc. I also have copper wire in various gauges. I am not actually familiar with any techniques yet and haven't made anything yet (besides clay). I have a workbench of my own full of these lovely jewellery making supplies. (Well it's sharing space with my oil painting supplies)

I've done endless YouTube googling, have many videos bookmarked. I've downloaded many books on Kindle and purchased others. I just don't know where to begin - I feel nervous about starting!

[Sandra]

Goldsmith I have the saw that was included in this kit: http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...ct-description.

[caroleallen]

I'd also recommend the 2 books suggested above - Madeleine Cole and Stephen O'Keefe. Both are superb for beginners with easy projects.

Many people start by making a simple silver ring. I won't tell you how to do it as both those books will do it much better than I could.

[Sandra]

Ok just ordered the Madeleine Cole book.

[ps_bond]

Ok just ordered the Madeleine Cole book.

Thanks for that... I just googled Madeline Cole and ended up with a site that really wasn't about jewellery. At work. Madeline Coles, however, is a much safer bet.

[Sandra]

Thanks for that... I just googled Madeline Cole and ended up with a site that really wasn't about jewellery. At work. Madeline Coles, however, is a much safer bet.

Umm yes I found that one too LOL but did end up finding the jewellery making book! I am posting a couple ideas here, do you think making something similar to one of these as a beginner is a reasonable start or should I be looking at something much more basic?

[ps_bond]

First one - drilling, piercing, stamping, making jump rings.
Second one - drilling, piercing, making jump rings.

You'd need a suitable set of letter stamps for the first - or you could learn engraving - but the second one wouldn't need that additional chunk. I'd start with that, personally - time spent learning piercing is never wasted, it's core to goldsmithing.

[mizgeorge]

Do bear in mind that the second one is a design created by a very talented young artist (who may well even be a member here, and is certainly a member on other forums) and should not be copied. Make sure you come up with your own design to play with

[Wallace]

oh, you beat me to it G!

inspiration is great, but you need to do your own thing - Jess has a lot of experience in sawing, and was given a help from one of her family members (if I recall correctly on her first post on the UKJC forum). Jess doesn't often share how she does her work, but it may be worth sending her a PM on facebook, under gorjess jewellery