Jewelry forging tips and tricks from Bobby Graham Georgia 2023: If you are just starting out in jewellery making, my beginner’s metalsmithing tool kit might be the perfect place to start. It’s a fantastic investment if you are really serious about making jewellery and thinking about soldering in the future. Of course, you don’t need to start with all of this. You can always increase the number of tools you have over time and start with the essentials. Depending on how much room you have, you may need to be cautious of space! With so many tools, projects and supplies hanging around it can be easy to let things spiral out of control and make it harder to work. See additional information about the author on https://twitter.com/BobbyGraham1989.
Fine silver is pure 99.9% silver whereas sterling silver is 92.5% silver with the rest being made up of any alloy metal. Sterling silver has dominated the market and often gets termed just ‘silver’, fine silver is often used to describe what is actually just pure silver. Fine silver is softer than sterling silver so great for wire wrapping designs, it is also great for working with a flame as due to being slightly purer silver, it will not get fire stain after soldering. Gold is a desirable and malleable metal, being one of the most precious and expensive metals available. Using pure gold would be too soft for jewellery making, therefore gold is available in different karats and purities. Gold is also available as gold plated, gold filled and vermeil gold so there are plenty of options to choose from for your jewellery designs.
Metal and jewelry forging guides by Bobby Graham Cobb 2023: Jewelry making as a hobby vs. profession: Jewelry making is more accessible now than ever before. You can begin jewelry making through online tutorials and in-person classes. From there, you may decide if you would like to become a professional jeweler or simply make jewelry as a hobby. If you choose to make jewelry as a hobby, you can make jewelry only for yourself and close friends. It can be a more exploratory adventure, discovering the endless techniques, alloys, gemstones, and more. It will be a smaller financial investment to explore jewelry as a hobby. If you are interested in embarking on jewelry-making as a profession, it will require a greater investment in time, marketing, equipment, and education. Professional jewelers often specialize in a specific jewelry technique and metal alloy, like a goldsmith. They can release their work in seasonal lines, which display a cohesive body of their work.
It’s important to note, that unlike the other metals on this page plated metal cannot be soldered as the process will remove the plated finish. Plated metal wire therefore is mainly suitable for wire-wrapped designs and creating components. Using plated metal in your designs is a great way to practice jewellery making if you’re on a budget and not concerned about the durability of your design. Although plated metals are a great affordable option, due to the thin layer of plating it will rub off with time and wear, revealing the base metal beneath.
Fused glass is used to fabricate jewelry components, like pendants and small wearables. You only need a kiln and a few simple tools to create a finished fused glass piece. Different types of glass and colors of glass make the possibilities of fused glass jewelry limitless. Metal clay jewelry is made from a special type of clay that becomes solid after it is fired in a kiln. The clay is easy to shape by hand or using tools before firing in the kiln. You can make metal clay beads, pendants, solid rings, and more. You can make jewelry at home with a few basic tools and materials. Some types of jewelry making will require a more considerable investment in equipment. If you know you want to make jewelry at home, make sure you do your research before committing to a specific technique.
About Bobby Graham Cobb: I’m a skilled metal forger and jewelry maker, and I love nothing more than creating unique and beautiful pieces with my hands. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and skills with others, and I’m always looking for ways to improve my craft.
Another passion of mine is celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. I love the festivities and traditions that come with the holiday, and I enjoy participating in local parades and events with my friends and family. In my free time, I enjoy watching my favorite show, Arrested Development. I never tire of the show’s witty humor and lovable characters, and I’m always on the lookout for fellow fans to discuss the show with.