Tutorials by K S Jewellery Designs

Tutorials by K S Jewellery Designs
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Saturday, 22 August 2009

Silver Wire Fusing

I just got home today from my holiday in Thurlestone, Devon (great time, relaxing, good weather, lovely location, happy families and even a bit of time to make some jewellery - more on that to follow) and waiting at home for me was this book I had ordered from Amazon: 'Silver Wire Fusing' by Liz Jones:

I have been thinking about fusing silver wire since Shay suggested it to me following my post about my first coiled jewel bangle where I was thinking about needing to make my bangle design less flexible.

Liz Jones' book makes the process of fusing fine silver wire look quite simple. I shall just have to see. I have quite a few of the recommended tools and materials but have not got a 'fire brick'. I'm not sure how essential this is - my husband has found a smooth brick from his out house and suggested I use this. Can anyone advise me about this or suggest where in the UK I can source a fire brick quite cheaply?

Posted by K S Jewellery Designs at 20:50
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10 comments:

  1. Sarah23 August 2009 at 11:52

    Hi Kristin,
    I found your blog via Etsy. I love your blog and your jewelry.
    About your question: Take a look at (www.artclayworld.org.uk). Maybe this site will answer your question.

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  2. K S Jewellery Designs23 August 2009 at 12:22

    Hi Sarah
    Welcome to my blog - thanks for stopping by. Thank's also for the link - I'll certainly check that website out.
    Kristin :)

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  3. Preserve Jewelry Studio23 August 2009 at 13:27

    Hi Kristin,

    I have the Silver Wire Fusing book. It it absolutely great and it will give you confidence to fuse wire. My advice is don't get too frustrated if everything does not turn out perfectly the first time. There is an art to understand the flame temperature and how it will fuse. I had a couple of melt downs the first time.

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  4. Eve Smith23 August 2009 at 13:46

    I have this book also, it's okay, sometimes it work and sometimes it does'nt.

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  5. Beverly Ash Gilbert23 August 2009 at 16:29

    Glad your vacation was wonderful!

    I think the purpose of the brick is for an insulator and the outhouse brick would work - but I'd remove it from the outhouse first!! (my guess is that 'outhouse' in British is 'out building' in American. 'Outhouse' here means outdoor loo! hee hee).

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  6. Kathleen Krucoff24 August 2009 at 19:49

    Cool book Kristin. Anxious to hear your thoughts about it as you progress with trying things.

    Don't know about resources in the UK. I did get a fire brick here in the states for my soldering with a torch. I'm not sure a smooth brick would have the correct characteristics for your needs. Best to get what the author recommends.

    Anxious to see what you create doing all of this! Best wishes, Kathleen

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  7. K S Jewellery Designs24 August 2009 at 22:12

    Thank you all for your comments, advice and suggestions.

    PJS - Thanks, that's sound advice. I will try not to expect perfection first time but I do hate wasting expensive materials. Also I'm not very good at just getting in there and having a go. I tend to ponder and hesitate much too long before getting stuck in.

    Eve - Thanks for sharing your experience of this book. I'm glad I've bought the book but know that it will take me some time to master fusing.

    Beverly - Ha ha! Yes I am talking about an outside building. Actually I believe our out house (my husband's domain full of tools and DIY stuff) did originally have a loo in it when our house was built 60 years ago. Thankfully some previous owner built one inside the house.

    Kathleen - Thanks, I will definitely share my fusing experiences in my blog (when I feel brave enough to have that first go!). I think you're right about trying to source a proper fire brick as the book talks about digging grooves in the brick to support parts of the jewellery as you fuse.

    Kristin :)

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  8. Shay Stone25 August 2009 at 17:08

    Yay Kristin! I've thought about getting this book as well. I hope you have lots of fun with it. I've only fused a couple of times and quickly hammered and textured the seam because it was so bad! lol...
    I use a brick from the wall of our woodstove to fire on. I have no idea about using a regular brick but wonder if you could find a place that supplies woodstoves or kilns and get a brick from them?
    Happy creating:)

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  9. Wendy Tyrrell21 September 2009 at 09:03

    Hi Kristin
    You can get a firebrick from www.cooksongold.com amongst others. They're relatively cheap.
    Wendy

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  10. K S Jewellery Designs21 September 2009 at 10:08

    Thanks Wendy, that's a really good link.
    Kristin :)

    ReplyDelete

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