Tutorials by K S Jewellery Designs

Tutorials by K S Jewellery Designs
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Friday, 5 July 2013

First ever ring

Every week when I attend my jewellery class, I have tried to challenge myself to learn a new technique or to learn how to use a new tool.  For the last three weeks I have mainly been working on a ring project and here is the result:

Labradorite Sterling Silver Double Band Ring
 
I made this completely from scratch and I know it is far from perfect (this is the best angle!) but I feel quite proud of the end product.  I wanted a challenge and I certainly gave myself a challenge, however I learnt so much during the process, mainly about controlling the heat of the torch so that previous soldered joints do not open up again.  Oh, that was so frustrating!  I was able to refill most of these with lower melting point solder but I couldn't manage to do that for the thin band around the outside of the bezel (see bottom left).  I had to leave it faulty, and those who know me well will know I am quite a perfectionist, so that is quite hard for me to admit.  I made this ring for me, so I will have to consider it a kind of 'war wound' and still love it in spite of its imperfections.
 
Lessons learnt, I was surprised how satisfying I found making a ring.  So much so, that I have just had delivered a ring mandrel (with sizing) so will probably be offering rings for sale some time in the future - watch this space!
Posted by K S Jewellery Designs at 14:27

11 comments:

  1. CS5 July 2013 at 15:01

    Good for you the challenges you are rising to in your metals class. Wanting pieces to be perfect, it is difficult when learning new techniques to find an unfixable flaw. You inspire me to take on new challenges with the torch. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. K S Jewellery Designs5 July 2013 at 15:54

      Thanks Christine! I'm finding this metalsmithing quite addictive. Unfortunately like most addictions, there is a cost associated. With this one it is new tools and materials. Along with my ring mandrel, I also ordered some faceted stones. Now, there's my new challenge - how to set those types of beads.
      Thank you for stopping by.
      Kristin :)

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  2. Janice5 July 2013 at 16:03

    Oh, It's beautiful! The reason I have not done much in rings is that I feel like the style of ring you can make with wire wrapping doesn't look professional enough for my taste in rings, but this one does. Good for you for tackling something so different! Your class sounds so fun!

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    1. K S Jewellery Designs5 July 2013 at 18:06

      Thank you Janice! I'm with you about wire-wrapped rings and have only ever made one which was a very simple double spiral ring for my daughter. I was very hesitant about making a soldered ring but my teacher is really good and clearly explained all the processes and guided me step by step. Hopefully, I can now move on to different style rings.
      Cheers
      Kristin :)

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  3. Anonymous5 July 2013 at 16:37

    Beautiful!

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  4. Cinnamon Jewellery5 July 2013 at 20:55

    It looks lovely Kristin, despite the "fault"!
    I'm like you and only see the bits that are wrong and beat myself up about them. I'm slowly realizing it's ok to make mistakes (it's only metal!) and use the mistakes to learn what not to do next time :D

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    1. K S Jewellery Designs5 July 2013 at 22:30

      Thanks Tracy, I appreciate your encouraging comments. I do seem to have an on-going problem with controlling the heat of the torch but I don't think it helps that at home I have a little butane torch and at my silversmithing class we use a propane torch. I have difficultly adjusting to the differences. The test will be if I can make another ring without any problems.
      Kristin :)

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  5. Unknown6 November 2013 at 10:55

    Wow its beautiful. the thing i liked is the shape, texture and stone used in it. I love blue color. As we know jewelry is women's best friend so i couldn't resist to open this blog and view it. Jewlry makes a man looking stunning and women look beautiful.

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  6. Unknown8 November 2013 at 08:51

    Its beautiful. The think i like the most is its texture and the stone used in it. It looks like an antique piece.

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    1. K S Jewellery Designs8 November 2013 at 19:35

      Thank you s duggal for stopping by. Glad you like my first ring. I learnt a lot from making this and have gone on to make quite a few more since then.
      All the best
      Kristin :)

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