|
Post by Tony W on Mar 24, 2009 0:58:32 GMT -5
I have been learning to smith in silver for a while and wanted to post some of my stuff before I experiment on it with the risk of messing up There are enough mistakes in my first ones that I can just use them to learn with and I'm going to use liver of sulfa on these and some others I've done. And I don't know what I'm doing, lol These are opals, of course, and I can always save the stones so don't fear for them. Koroit dsaur.home.comcast.net/~dsaur/rocksnwraps/firstsmithopal1.jpgKoroit dsaur.home.comcast.net/~dsaur/rocksnwraps/firstsmithopal2.jpg I have to give some heart felt thanks to NancyF for inspiration, Phil/SteelandStone for helping me pick out the supplies I needed saving me lots of money because I didn't know what I was into. And some great hints and tricks. And most especially Tom/Connrock who has helped me every step of the way with humor and wisdom, and a really nasty crotchity attitude he needs to work on I know, I know...I need to work on the photos. Silver in the sun might not be the best way to do it Thanks, Tony
|
|
|
Post by Tony W on Mar 24, 2009 1:00:33 GMT -5
We'll try that again....
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Mar 24, 2009 6:02:57 GMT -5
Finally the fruits of all that labor!!!! They look great, I really like the design on the second one, it seems to compliment the pattern in the opal! I think you actually did a very good job of complimenting the patterns of the opals to the silver, like the distressed look in the first. As you tell me patience!!! This is a skill and they look wonderful it will get easier each and every time!!! Great job! Amber
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Mar 24, 2009 7:36:06 GMT -5
I'm envious, I want to learn silverwork too but need to earn more money first. I think you know what I mean at this point. lol Your pieces look pretty darn ambitious for first tries and you pulled it off. They look really nice, the second one especially. I'm expecting to see a lot more of your work and expect it to improve exponentially. I too know what a prince Tom is and I know about that attitude. lol ;D
|
|
|
Post by Titania on Mar 24, 2009 7:40:29 GMT -5
I'm SO dying to start learning silversmithing and this isn't helping!!!! Great job on those. I especially like the 2nd one with the little swirlies.
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Mar 24, 2009 12:10:40 GMT -5
You have more guts than I do! Those look great for your first ones, and I'm sure they will be better with time. It's like anything else, practice, practice.......
|
|
|
Post by connrock on Mar 24, 2009 12:58:35 GMT -5
There is NOTHING wrong with my attitude and I resemble the remarks I just read here! What nerve!!!!!! I pour my heart out trying to help the helpless and this is what I get for my efforts???
Shame on both of you Tony's!!!!
I wonder why and or how I attract so many Tony's??? lol
No,my teaching skills aren't all that great but I try.I do have a very unique way of getting someones attention but sometimes one has to be a bit "gruff" to wake up what sometimes acts like it's dead!!! I do call some of my "students" vegetables,and in most cases I'm not far off!
Now the first thing they do is complain about my attitude!!Sheesh!!!
Oh yeah,,,Nice work Tony!!! ;D ;D ;D
connrock
|
|
kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
|
Post by kjohn0102 on Mar 24, 2009 14:00:28 GMT -5
Great job-I too like the second one. I'm going to book mark this one because I've been itching to try a hand at smithing too-----you just start GOOGLING and it makes you crazy! I've got a long list already of what I THINK I need to get started.....
Titania-I feel your pain! I need to stay away from here, it only makes the "itch" worse!!
KJ
|
|
|
Post by frane on Mar 24, 2009 14:14:40 GMT -5
Oh, I don't think they need improvement at all! They both look lovely! Fran
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,777
|
Post by adrian65 on Mar 24, 2009 14:49:53 GMT -5
Beautiful silver work, it matches so well the patterns in the opals. The first one is my favorite.
Adrian
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Mar 24, 2009 15:23:16 GMT -5
Great work! I want to learn too!
John
|
|
|
Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 24, 2009 17:58:39 GMT -5
WOW that first one just blends into the edges! spectacular
|
|
steelandstone
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2008
Posts: 500
|
Post by steelandstone on Mar 24, 2009 20:03:56 GMT -5
Tony,
Looking Good. I think you did a great job on both of them.
It was my pleasure to help you in any way possible and if you have any other questions send them my way. I have not been on here much lately but I should be on here more regularly very soon as we sold our house "again" and should close in 30 days... WHOOO HHHOOO
Keep up the good work and post some more pics of your next pieces.
|
|
|
Post by stonesthatrock on Mar 24, 2009 20:10:18 GMT -5
i love the second one, what a great job you did matching the design of the stone with the silver. I think i'm the only one who doesn't want to learn it lmao
|
|
|
Post by Tony W on Mar 24, 2009 22:37:38 GMT -5
Thanks, all for the great comments! Much appreciated. I worked on the Liver of Sulfa today and I don't think it will be half bad. I'll post the results soon. For all those interested in trying to smith I recommend you hound Phil and Tom until they agree to part with their knowledge Two generous guys who didn't have to but did! Just remember to carry a stick when dealing with Tom....he gets the rabies, you know, lol! Tony...I think Tom thinks he is a Prince..thus the attitude It does't hurt to try to take him down a notch, but I suspect his pup Homer is the only one who can really do it Ed... the guts are from all that yogurt! Phil...I sure hope it goes this time...good luck!! I know it will be cooler north of me than south of me Maryann...because you don't much want to, I expect you'd prove to be better at it than any of us, lol. Amber...there is your gift idea for Tony's birthday! Tony
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Mar 24, 2009 23:01:46 GMT -5
I don't know much about silversmithing but I know what I like. Those are beautiful and I love the first one. It's like you extended the pattern of the stone in the silver.
Good for you Tony. I silver smithed only once and it was hard. Scary too cause you use a torch and I kept forgetting to move it back and forth to distribute the heat. I kind of got mesmerized watching the solder (sp?) melt. lol
|
|
WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
|
Post by WarrenA on Mar 24, 2009 23:11:45 GMT -5
I asked Tom and Doc for help and they both helped me get started. I have had a torch in my hand on and off all my life and have mastered most things that have to do with an acetylene torch. However this soldering silver with silver solder is taking a little longer than I expected.
|
|
|
Post by connrock on Mar 25, 2009 4:34:41 GMT -5
Tony you give me way too much credit for trying to help you.
I learned a lot by trial and error but I also picked a few brains here and there including our own Bobby1 who has helped me through some tight squeezes I had.
I'm just passing on what others have helped me with as many,many others do here but I try to add a little "spice" to it!
My goal in life is now and always has been to help people and make them laugh.If I fail to do that I have also failed my friends!
By the way,,,,, Tellin' folks to bring a stick to whoop me with aint gunna cut it fella,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :nono:
They'll need a good size hunk of pipe!!! ;D
connrock
|
|
|
Post by bobby1 on Mar 25, 2009 9:48:00 GMT -5
Tony, Those are great first efforts. You picked some really nice cabs to compliment your silver smithing creations. Great work. I melted the first two pieces when I was a beginner. Bob
|
|
mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
|
Post by mossyrockhound on Mar 25, 2009 11:04:15 GMT -5
Good job Tony! It's an inspiration to see some successful silversmithing here. I've got all the supplies, but just need the inspiration to get started. I like how the wire mimics the design in the opal on the first one. Garry
|
|