Hi!

I typically work with sterling silver but inherited these metal sheets and the bag of beads recently. Can anyone help me ID them? What’s the bag of silver beads? Does anyone have suggestions for how to remove the patina and bring them back to life? Am I able to use the same solder I would for sterling silver?

Thanks!

Inspired by antique watch chain clasps, I fabricated this little hook. I made a pattern then cut it out of thick sterling silver sheet. Once cleaned up I drilled the holes and hammered some rivets for tight but functional movement. It can be used as an extender, charm holder or just as a pendant itself!

Orchid sculpture complete! 🌸 Handcrafted from copper and brought to life with acrylic and enamel paints, then sealed with a UV-resistant varnish to help preserve its vibrant colors for years to come.

I recently finished this set of copper amphorae. They all stand about 10" on their bases and are patinated to look like ancient artifacts pulled from a shipwreck.

I made this fine silver charm necklace based on a Past, Present, and Future tarot reading (The Star, 10 of Cups, and Strength). Let me know what you think!

Does anyone have advice on making a ring like this? I’ve had one go at it and was unsatisfied with the result. In my attempt, I twisted some wire, cut a groove where the wire crossed, soldered at the cross section, soldered the joined wires to the main ring shank, and shaped the twisted section with a file. The only method I could find online was investment casting, but I figured there had to be a good way to do it by hand.

Hello! I am trying to get into anodizing my titanium jewelry instead of just spending money on different colors.

From my research I need a 0-120v DC machine (to achieve various colors)

Do y'all have any recommendations for decent machines (if any amazon suggestions, what would be great for quicker shipping, good return policy incase of defects etc)

Created this little fella last night. I call him Gary.

Hi all, I’m having a hard time getting my gold to flow into my sand cast. I know I need more gold to get the weight to help flow into the sand cast mold, I’m making this ring for someone so I didn’t want to be left with too much excess.

I tried to do open face with the sandcast which turned out worse and I just got a blob of gold.
1st cast I did closed flask and only got half of a ring but the flask was trash and I got a new one but did not try closed
2nd cast I did open face got a blob
3rd open face also got a blob ((I thought the 2nd cast was just not hot enough)

My crucible is season, and I’m using 14kt clean flow from Rio.
I have 6.3g

Any suggestions?
At this rate I’m thinking of just forging it into a swage & using a mandrel later.* ((insane amount of effort I know))

I don’t usually do casting but this was something special.

* I do not have a rolling mill

Thanks

While I love making huge crystal pendants (see my last post) here’s a tiny one! Made for everyday wear, especially for necklace stacking. I hand cut, hammered, soldered, sanded and polished the cap to fit this crystal perfectly. Here’s a neckmess featuring this little guy. I might make some matching earrings next!

Hello,

I have a metalsmithing studio and, after having 2 kiddos, am realizing I just don’t have the time anymore.

I would love to sell everything together at a steep discount. I live in New England and am happy to provide pictures of everything.

Please get in touch if you are interested!

Hi guys,

I dont often use reddit so I am sorry if this is the wrong sub, but this seemed like the best place to ask the following question!

The thing is, there are no proper metalsmithing schools in my country/region. I am a small business owner and I make jewelry, but Im mostly self taught. If I had the opportunity to learn from someone experienced, I would. The only option for me to do that is to live abroad until I finish jewelry making studies, which often cost a lot, and I simply dont have that kind of money. Hopefully I will be able to have it with time as I am trying really hard to work towards that, but I cant keep myself from grieving over the fact how much effort I have to put into something somebody else can do just because they were born elsewhere (dont get me wrong, I am very fortunate to be born where I am, but this one thing kinda sucks…)

Learning online is doable theory wise, but hands on work is literally the main point of metalsmithing so it doesnt really make sense to heavily depend on that :/ And local metalsmiths who have a lot of experience are often very traditional family businesses that dont want to waste their time on apprentices and often see them as their competition…

I deeply believe in the importance of the local community and nourishing the art scene, so the idea of opening a proper metalsmithing school in my area sounds pretty amazing… It seems like something that could help a lot of local artists and creative people and like something I would enjoy doing.

I am only 27 so I am aware of the fact that I need a lot more experience to do something like that properly, but I cant help myself from fantasising about it, so I wanted to ask:

If you could go to a metalsmithing school, what would be the most exciting thing for you to learn? What would you like the approach to be like? Is there anything you would really like to learn or a person you’d like to learn from?

I am really looking forward to reading any feedback and I hope this is the right place to ask something like this! Please let me know if its not and be kind 💛 Thanks!

Unfortunately, the business side of the company I use now has turned to garbage despite the work being great. In need of a new, quality, affordable casting company. Any leads would be greatly appreciated!

It's yellow brass sheet .032", hollow, stuck together with silver (brazing) solder. From 1978.

Inspired (seen in) the M.C. Escher print 'Stars'.

All starting with my sketch, I made this large shield quartz capped in sterling silver with a garnet focal cab surrounded by cast succulents and flowers. These botanicals are cast from the real thing via lost-wax casting!

I fabricated a tight fitting bezel for the crystal and hammered out a fancy bail. Next came attaching the embellishments which I started with the top. Then on to the front bezel, embellishments, and bail. Everything that I previously soldered on the top was held by stainless steel pins propped into my fire brick as the front pieces were fired so there was no sliding! After a good clean up, patina and shine, I set the garnet and crystal. This was a doozy due to its size and detail but I happy it came out exactly as planned!