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Post by helens on Sept 10, 2012 0:16:07 GMT -5
Since I haven't posted any pix here in a while, thought I'd show what I ended up doing with one of my pieces of disdero agate that I got from Warren. I finally finished a piece... it's still a bit big, so I'll probably restring it and make it a double at the end too. Here's the original piece:  Cabbed:  My first piece of silverwork (I know, not very good:P):  What I did for rings since I gave up on attaching them to the silver (kept melting them):  Finished bracelet:  Worn:  Thanks for looking:). |
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hubrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2011
Posts: 1,563
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Post by hubrocks on Sept 10, 2012 0:58:10 GMT -5
Very pretty, really love the disdero agate!!.......Hub
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jason12x12
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 798
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Post by jason12x12 on Sept 10, 2012 2:11:15 GMT -5
I think you did great
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 10, 2012 15:39:55 GMT -5
Beautiful work!! Beautiful stone too  |
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2005
Posts: 1,775
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Post by Roger on Sept 10, 2012 17:50:37 GMT -5
Nice agate,very nice work.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2012 14:06:07 GMT -5
that is truly fabulous! So delicate and yummy!
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Post by Pat on Sept 12, 2012 14:07:52 GMT -5
Looks good to me! Elegant.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2012 14:09:09 GMT -5
What I did for rings since I gave up on attaching them to the silver (kept melting them): What kind of torch do you have? I ask because I am in the middle of building one that, if all works out as planned, will be able to solder very small patches and thus avoiding the melting of small objects like this. |
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Post by susand24224 on Sept 12, 2012 14:49:57 GMT -5
Wow, Helen, I really like the look and am especially impressed at your ability to work around problems.
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xXxAlisha91xXx
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by xXxAlisha91xXx on Sept 12, 2012 18:05:31 GMT -5
Wow! That came out really pretty, Helen!
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Post by helens on Sept 16, 2012 19:12:07 GMT -5
Sorry guys! I forgot to check this topic!!
Thanks Hub, Jason, Roger, Randy, Pat, Alisha!
Scott, I took a silversmithing class to do the bracelet, it's actually my first (and only) project, I did 2 pieces in the same nite, and that's all the silverwork I've ever done, and probably will ever do, I didn't like it so much:).
I took the class at the local rock club, so no clue what torch it was, all I know was it was a handheld little torch that was bronze colored.
For glass, I use a GTT Scorpion (in case that's what you were asking). It's not handheld, so I don't think it would adapt well to doing silver work at home. Glass torches are a bit different from silver torches (although I know some people use their silver working torches on their glass, but I'd never worked on a handheld torch before). I'm useless to ask for silver working advice, you can see that I didn't even get the silver done on this one:P. hehe.
Susan... thanks:)! Necessity is the mother of invention. I live by the belief that there is NOTHING you can't figure out, given time, money and dedication:).
It did work out great, mostly because I got to use that horrible stiff as steel overly thick copper I bought... for this, it was perfect, that stuff isn't going anywhere, nor will it bend:P.
Thanks again guys!!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 17, 2012 20:02:53 GMT -5
You didn't like it much? You have the knack for doing this, that piece turned out great!! I can only imagine what your work would look like a year from now if you continued your work |
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Post by Pat on Sept 17, 2012 20:36:23 GMT -5
If it's a little hand held torch, it is probably a mini-butane torch. We use them all the time.
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Post by helens on Sept 18, 2012 7:15:53 GMT -5
Well, like anything else, silver-working is a 'practice' skill. But first you have to want to practice:). The microscopic bouncing pieces of solder drove me nuts. Now I know that what I did wrong was have the heat up too high and did not adequately heat the large areas from underneath. But you know there was just no fun factor doing it for me. From start to finish, it was just determination to get it done, and I got 0 enjoyment doing it.
It just dawned on me why I don't like it... it's probably because I don't like doing mechanical things:). I am just not mechanically inclined... doesn't mean I can't be, but I simply don't have an interest in it. Hrm. Wonder if it's metals? I like machines just fine, but I'm terrible in operation and repair, and silverwork smacks too much of repair.
Pat, I don't think it's a mini-butane, it ran from tanks, with 2 hoses. The flame it puts out is substantial, tho much smaller than my torch. I THINK it was a welding torch, but am not sure. When I think mini-butane, I think of the cannister ones. Just did a quick google, and no, not a mini-butane.
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 18, 2012 9:02:17 GMT -5
 Helen, I love the Disdero bracelet you created!! Sure hope you'll begin to enjoy silversmithing; you have a knack for it!!
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Post by Toad on Sept 18, 2012 11:19:46 GMT -5
Beautiful stone and great work on the rest. Wow!!
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Post by helens on Sept 18, 2012 21:31:57 GMT -5
Thanks Jan and Toad:).
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Helen, I love the Disdero bracelet you created!! Sure hope you'll begin to enjoy silversmithing; you have a knack for it!!
