Growing New Skills by Taking on Tough Challenges – Jewelry Making Journal

by Diana White.
(United States)

Inspiration for the door I made – Fimo clay figured door from ETSY vendor

A single of the ideal strategies to hold expanding as a metallic artist, in addition to exploring films, tutorials, and using lessons, is to be a part of in with a metalsmithing team and responding to design difficulties/competitions.

Laying out the items, gems not set still, and parts not soldered besides the sweat soldered window on the door

This is exactly what I did a couple of months back soon after a pal shared pics of a new stone setting system identified as “Octopus Placing.” The name comes from Lucy Walker a jewellery artist who does on the internet courses.

After Last gemsetting and antiquing.

My friend, who does outstanding floral-themed wire and far more recently metal fabrication pieces using soldering and gemstone configurations took Lucy’s course. Her effects impressed me to do the exact same. Soon after I paid for the course and went through the movie additionally all of the fantastic handouts, I noticed an invitation for all of Lucy’s learners to join her shut FB group.

Back of pendant Textured with Fretz Raw Silk Texturing Hammer

I joined the team and shortly following I joined Lucy Walker posted a challenge with a parcel of beautiful gemstones as the prize. The obstacle was to do an architecturally inspired pendant. Each individual do the job had to incorporate noticed piercing, sweat soldering, and two different types of gemstone setting (bezel and flush). Whew! it was a actual access for me, as I have only done one particular flush established stone prior to this, and had in no way mixed piercing, with sweat soldering AND gemstone placing all at once right before.In accomplishing this piece, I experienced to stretch my techniques.

It is not great at all, but what I realized in the hoping will make my potential attempts go far more easily. Additionally I have completed some thing that demanded far more than two instances beneath the torch, with various smaller pieces and the truth that it went together at all feels a large amount significantly less like a wonder now that I have made it materialize for the initially time. Also the initially time for me, tube bezel location and I’m quite satisfied at how those turned out. The doorknob is an octopus setting.

Resources checklist: 3 4mm CZs, 1 2mm CZ, Argentium/copper mokume gane from Rio grande, 6 gauge sterling silver wire rolled flat in my mill also from Rio Grande, sterling silver bounce rings sq. wire from Rio, sterling major-walled seamless tubing, textured copper sheet also from Rio grande, silver solder in 3 grades Challenging, medium and effortless, Sterling silver wire 16g for rivets, Flux, additionally all of the tools…

Diana White
Mockingbird Lane Wire