FreeForm Prong Setting a odd shaped stone.

Soldering

Making jewelry has been so much fun for me learning new skills is very stimulating. I love hammering, getting wonderful aggressions out the metal is great therapy. The tools one needs has been a pleasant challenge. This is right up my alley, remembering that you are as good as your tools, finding the exact right tool for the job has been very satisfying.

Soldering has been one of the more challenging tasks. Practice is helpful actually essential part. The more I try and practice the more brave I get and better at the task.

Here is a YouTube video that is helpful.

Torching

Torching things are ever so much fun. I love seeing the metal getting red and then the sizzle, somehow I fee very powerful with a torch in my hand.

Here is a very good YouTube video by Nancy Hamilton "How to Set up a Torch". I've been using a very primitive torch I'll share about that below, it's not even close to what Nancy talk about. Nancy by the way has a great sense of humor.

Firing

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Fold Formed Copper

Make Your Own Shibuichi Clay

http://artinsilver.com/blog/2010/02/06/make-your-own-shibuichi-clay/

Shibuichi is an ancient Japanese alloy of copper and silver, with the percentage of silver ranging between 5% – 25%. There is a very informative article about this alloy in March 2010 issue of Art Jewelry Magazine by Lee Rumsey Haga, which I highly recommend.

I have been often asked about combining different metal clays together, so I decided to try. I made “Shibuichi clay” of 5% silver and 95% copper, using mixed Quick-fire copper and PMC Plus.

One way to measure is to use a scale. To make 10 grams of this type of Shibuichi clay, mix 0.5 grams silver clay with 9.5 grams copper clay.

I fired it with a torch for 6 minutes from the moment the binder had burnt off, and immediately dipped in water. I found that torch-fired Shibuichi clay is stronger than torched-fired copper clay.

I also tried it in a kiln. I fired it for 1:00 hour at 1470°F (800°C) in my top loader kiln. In a front loader, fire at 1550°/843°C.

 Another source is www.sculptnouveaux.com. They also have different sealers and their products come with full instructions.

http://artinsilver.com/Quick-fire_clay_instruction_manual.pdf 








Art Clay Copper How To:

Bob Burkett demos a wax dragonfly.

I visited the "Bead Show" at the Culver City Auditorium. I hear they have this event twice a year and I think I went there in June but somehow I remember that event to be more of a rock rather than beads.

I'm still new at all this so I am not sure. I got to meet Robert Burkett,