We were all handed a 4cm square of sterling silver and invited to create a pendant from it using our own choice of method which the teacher was on hand to give advice (sawing, drilling, texturing, sanding, soldering, etc.). I decided to challenge myself and learn some new techniques. I learnt how to saw and was introduced to some soldering techniques. As you can see, I still have a long way to go on my learning journey but I did feel like I came away with some knowledge.
It didn't help that we ran out of time and my pendant didn't get to stay in the pickle long enough for all the black to come off from in between the leaves. I had also wanted to add some definition to the leaves before soldering but time escaped me for that as well.
What I have to decide now is what I should do next in this adventure. Advice from others will be gratefully received. Should I go ahead and buy some soldering equipment and try and learn from my mistakes? Or should I research further courses?
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What a great first piece, I would buy some solder, it's not too expensive, Pickle will last you for ages also, I use a hotplate and a pyrex bowl to pickle my pieces. I think you should go for it, I learn from reading books, It does take a while to build up your tools but I love doing silversmithing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eve for your encouragement. I was admiring your work on your Flickr pages yesterday. Do you have any books you recommend for a complete beginner? Also any recommendations for tools and material suppliers?
DeleteKristin :)
Your pendant's lovely, it's a shame you ran out of time!
ReplyDeleteI taught myself to solder from books and tutorials on the internet. I'm doing a jewellery course at night school at the mo which has built up my confidence with sawing and soldering but it really is a case of practice makes perfect! If you get stuck you can usually find the answer online or ask another jewellery maker - they're usually happy to share some useful tips!
Thanks CJ - I have been following your journey since you diversified from wirework jewellery and it's encouraging to know that I might be able to learn as I go along. Little steps is probably the best way for me and working out what tools to invest in first. Can you recommend a good book to learn from? I had a look at Amazon but it's hard to work out whether or not they are any good.
DeleteKristin :)
Kristin I know nothing about jewelry-making but I'd say you're on to something here! This is a simple yet elegant design... I could see this technique really enhancing your already beautiful jewelry :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pendant. So lucky to be able to attend a local course. I'm also learning metalsmithing including soldering, but my first pieces are nowhere near yours. I think learning with a good teacher can really speed up the learning process.
ReplyDeleteDeborah - thank you for your support. I have lots of shapes in mind for silver sheet jewellery but will have to see if they are possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marika - the course was a good introduction to this area of jewellery making and certainly got my creativity bug going. Today I took the plunge and ordered a range of soldering/metalwork tools and am going to give it a go! Watch this space!
Thanks for your comment on my blog! I'm glad you've decided to have a go at soldering :D
ReplyDeleteJoe Silvera has a very good book out on soldering or if you prefer dvds there's Lexi Erickson's dvds on soldering. I have the first one and it's very good.
Apart from that it's just practicing - use copper as it's cheaper - and allowing yourself to make mistakes (something I'm not very good at!)
Tracy
Thanks Tracy - I'm off to check out those recommendations now.
DeleteKristin :)
Hiya Kristin,
ReplyDeleteOoooh exciting stuff - I love playing with fire! Good luck with it all - would be lovely to catch up sometime when you're free! There are some brilliant YouTube videos with great tips... I love Nancy Hamilton's generally.
Hi Becky - thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely look her up. Yes, let's get together soon. I have more free time now my teaching job has finished. I'm free most mornings next week after drop off.
DeleteKristin :)
Hi Kristin, Your first piece is great! Personally, I love taking classes. Each new instructor has different tips that work for them. Tim McCreight's "The Complete Metalsmith" is a good resource. Search internet videos on metalsmithing/jewelry/soldering. Ganoksin.com has many wonderful tips and resources, too.
ReplyDeletePractice and patience will be needed, but you have the talent! And as someone else mentioned, ask questions - most of us are more than happy to help!
Hi Sandy - lovely to hear from you and thank you for all the positive comments and advice. Since making this piece, I have invested in a whole lot of soldering and metal working equipment and started 'going it alone'. It's been an interesting adventure so far and I am finding out what I can and can't do so have just booked onto a silversmithing course to go along with my at home practice. I have just taken some pictures of some of my work so far and am about to write a blog post about them - see what you think!
DeleteKristin :)