I went from simple “frying pan forge “ to gas forge, anvils other tools and safety. Will leave the link in comments if you are interested.
All starting with my sketch, I made this large shield quartz capped in sterling silver with a garnet focal cab surrounded by cast succulents and flowers. These botanicals are cast from the real thing via lost-wax casting!
I fabricated a tight fitting bezel for the crystal and hammered out a fancy bail. Next came attaching the embellishments which I started with the top. Then on to the front bezel, embellishments, and bail. Everything that I previously soldered on the top was held by stainless steel pins propped into my fire brick as the front pieces were fired so there was no sliding! After a good clean up, patina and shine, I set the garnet and crystal. This was a doozy due to its size and detail but I happy it came out exactly as planned!
Meta has included AI descriptors for recently uploaded photos. They link these descriptions to "sources" which appear to be etsy or amazon listings for knock off items of your work. Not really sure what to do about it but wanted to inform!
It's yellow brass sheet .032", hollow, stuck together with silver (brazing) solder. From 1978.
Inspired (seen in) the M.C. Escher print 'Stars'.
I have just finished making this HONKING arm cuff and have been struggling to get my tools in all the nooks and crannies effectively. I've been hand sanding, and using radial disks and fiber wheels on my foredom, but after a long time doing this, I'm wondering if there's a better, more efficient way I can manage this. I will continue to make more large pieces, so I figure now is a good time as any to ask for everyone's tips + tricks!
I got these from my grandma who is no longer here. The necklace says “Sterling TG” and the ring says “925”. I can’t find any markers on the pins so I don’t know if they’re actually silver but they’re a little heavy and not magnetic. Don’t know if any of the stones are real turquoise.
Hi!
I wanted to know if someone could help me with finding a white metal specifically - but not only silver-like, I’d accept even a slightly warmer white - for Sandcasting.
Silver is really expensive in this moment, and even trying selling (in Italy) costs more for additional taxes for precious metals…
I use primarily pewter - 5 stars Prince August or sometimes Britannia - for my jewellery. It looks amazing, with no oxidation and perfect weight, but I admit it is way too fragile for rings. It scratches to easily, and even if my rings are very heavy and big, the surface becomes dull and imperfect. I love imperfections - it would have been part of my style in jewellery in any case - but I fear it can compromise the durability and general state of the piece made in pewter. And then I have to admit, using pewter makes me feel kinda renaissance-fair-like, and not very professional (please, let me know what do you think about it lol). I know pewter has and amazing story, but at the same time I think about it and it’s a vicious cycle 😂
I have a 1500kw furnace - the Vevor one - and I have a 75% zinc-25% copper alloy, but idk how I feel about it.
I was thinking maybe white bronze, but in Italy I can only find some types with 1% lead in it, and I absolutely don’t want to use lead.
Aluminium? Idk, too light and cheap - but maybe you can change my mind.
Help me please, I really want to improve this situation ❤️
Thanks in advance!
❤️