TECHNIQUES
JEWELRY MAKING
Some call it goldsmithing, others say metalsmithing, or jewelry fabrication. Either way, it’s all about coaxing the metal into taking the shape and form of your intended design.
The techniques and tools used to accomplish this are simply endless. Jewelers often steal methods from other industries such as carpentry and dentistry.
Rumor has it that a jeweler has more tools than any other profession. I could live several more lifetimes and still not know all the ways that jewelry can be made.
Aside from traditional jewelry making, one of my favorite mediums to use is Art Clay Silver. Made of recycled silver from old computer circuit boards and photographic film, it’s 99.9% fine silver. It allows for shapes and designs that couldn’t be created from traditional methods.
This clay form allows me to mold, stamp, and carve patterns into the surface. After firing the clay in a kiln, the fine silver piece is revealed in its final form. Being more pure than sterling silver, it’s a softer metal that’s more tarnish resistant and my very favorite way to recycle.