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Post by Tonyterner on May 12, 2010 20:58:32 GMT -5
For the past few months I've been taking the Connrock Silverwork Correspondence Course. Mostly I've been practicing with copper but started working with silver last month. I've set several cabs so far but this is the first piece I made that's half decent. I still have a long ways to go in both skills and design. The little dot below the stone is a silver ball I made by melting some scraps. I think I got the wrong side down. This piece went to my mother for mother's day. The stone is an Australian opal doublet.  |
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Post by Bejewelme on May 12, 2010 21:05:42 GMT -5
This piece is better than the photo shows, I tumbled it in shot for her and hated to see it go, LOL. Tony's Mom loved it!
Amber
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on May 12, 2010 21:11:39 GMT -5
Fantastic job Tony !!! both you and Amber are doing great with the silver work
Brian
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Post by Tony W on May 13, 2010 1:01:20 GMT -5
NIce job, Tony! I can see you pay more attention to Tom than he says I do  He's pretty much down to just cussin' me now, lol. But I persist, and the boy can flat teach, even to the ultra hard headed! Nice job of bezel pushing....I still struggle with that part every time. Tony |
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Post by Tonyterner on May 13, 2010 7:33:08 GMT -5
Tony, Tom hasn't complained to me about you too much so you must not be as bad as you think.  |
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Post by frane on May 13, 2010 8:25:07 GMT -5
WOW! I know your Mom must love that one! Beautiful work Tony!
Fran
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on May 13, 2010 10:20:08 GMT -5
that's very cool!
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Post by bobby1 on May 13, 2010 11:09:21 GMT -5
Tony,
A super nice piece. I like the design especially the contrast between the holes and the ball of silver.
When I melt scrap to make a ball I do it on a charcoal block with a reducing (low oxygen) flame. Molten silver has a terrible affinity to absorb oxygen and develop pits in the cooled result. I heat the metal quickly and slowly retract the flame to keep the molten ball from boiling and bouncing around as it cools.
If you want a round ball dig a small hole in the block to melt the ball in. This also works for making small granules. Leave the block flat for balls that you want a flat back on for easier soldering.
Bob
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on May 13, 2010 11:56:38 GMT -5
It looks beautiful, Tony! I wander how did you manage to pry it from Amber's hands ;D
Your mom surely was thrilled with such gift.
Adrian
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Post by Tonyterner on May 13, 2010 12:25:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip Bob. I did do it on a charcoal block but I think I put it on the piece upside down. Once I put flux on it I couldn't tell which was the top and bottom. lol I'm using a crappy propane torch, the kind that they sell at Home Depot that screws directly on to the tank. There is no adjustment to the flame other than how high it gets. I'll try and use your advice as best I can.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2010 14:52:36 GMT -5
Beautiful job Tony! Dennis wants to start learning silversmithing as well.
Shannon
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spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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Post by spokanetim on May 13, 2010 15:23:30 GMT -5
Looks great to me too. Someday I'd like to learn how to do that, anytime I get to play with fire and melt stuff is a good day.
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Post by stonesthatrock on May 15, 2010 8:55:48 GMT -5
that looks great. i love the design and of course the color. the shape is very nice and eye pleasing. keep up the great work.
mary ann
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Post by drocknut on May 17, 2010 0:55:19 GMT -5
Beautiful. You did great.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on May 21, 2010 22:36:03 GMT -5
Great work Tony. A hand made gift with all the love put into it is the most precious gift.
I would like to someday try silversmithing. But for now I'll stick to welding. LOL.
Nate
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on May 22, 2010 10:45:35 GMT -5
Tony,
I think it's perfect! And I'm sure your Mother Loved it. Silver Smithing is of course on my list of too many things I wanna learn to do.
Steve
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steelandstone
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2008
Posts: 500
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Post by steelandstone on May 26, 2010 17:26:30 GMT -5
Tony,
Looking good man, once you get a little better torch I think you will be well on your way to cranking out some awesome stuff. I think the pendant came out really nice and like the series of holes you did on the bottom half. Now for the next one, get going and be sure to post some pics.
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Post by Roller on May 26, 2010 17:54:31 GMT -5
that looks great Tony ... glad to see you are learning new stuff ....so when i master cabbing then you can give me pointers on that ...hehe ....on a cutting break as we speak ..
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
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Post by chassroc on May 27, 2010 8:05:19 GMT -5
Good Work Tony...nice flow to this piece
Charlie
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He's pretty much down to just cussin' me now, lol. But I persist, and the boy can flat teach, even to the ultra hard headed! Nice job of bezel pushing....I still struggle with that part every time. Tony
