There are 4 steps that happen before a sheet of metal or a length of wire becomes a piece of jewelry
DESIGNING
SHAPING
TEXTURING
COLOURING
DESIGNING:
DESIGNING
It all starts with a shape, texture or coIour I see outside. Sometimes I sketch out a rough design before I begin a piece & then refine it as I build it. Other times I just jump in & play with wire to from a basic shape
SHAPING:
PIERCING/SAWING
A hand piercing saw is like a coping saw but with an extremely fine blade. Used to create intricate shapes within a design or define a shape of the piece. The blade is inserted through a tiny drilled hole in the piece & then attached to the saw frame.
WIRE WORK
Wire wrapping is one of the oldest techniques for making handmade jewelry. The wire is hand wrapped to connect the components of the piece together or to create a design in itself
RIVETING
Is a way to create “cold connections” which is the joining together of metal components without using solder. Each type of rivet used requires different tools and techniques & can give a unique design to the piece
REPOUSSE
Embossing- (left) where metal is shaped on the front face of the piece.
Repousse - (right) The shaping of metal using a hammer to create form from the underside resulting in a raised form.
FOLD FORMING
Moving heated metal into forms or shapes with a variety of special tools.
SOLDERING
Is the process of preparing 2 metals to bond by the heat of a torch.
TEXTURING:
ETCHING
Is where a design is drawn onto the raw metal;
I then immerse the metal into a salt based bath for up to 72 hours; the unmarked part of the design on the metal is etched away raising the drawn design; the metal is then neutralized so it can be handled & then hand polished so the design rises above the background; the etched piece can be patinated by using fire (torch) or by a paste which is then hand rubbed to remove the colour from the etched design leaving a beautiful coloured background for the etching.
STAMPING
Using manufactured or handcrafted tools to create specific patterns or layers of patterns on the piece.
COLOURING:
DIP DYEING
Is a special technique used to create a continuous deepening colour of dye to create a graduated “hombre” of colours.
PATINA
A natural patina occurs when metal reacts gradually with moist air ie: tarnish. I like to create patina on the bare metal with a variety of rubs or immersions (left, middle) or by the application of fire to the metal to create vibrant colours. (left)
PAINTING with FIRE
The torch can create magnificent colours, blues, greens, yellows, oranges depending on the heat. I love to use the torch like a paint brush to bring alive a piece of jewelry.
PAINTING
A specialized paint is brushed onto bare metal in a design. Then, to provide contrast, with my drill I remove some of the paint to reveal the base metal.