My plans revolve around learning a new technique: metalsmithing. I have taken one class already, and created these super fun "spiculum earrings." Spiculum refers to something sharp and pointed, like a shard such as crystal or ice.
In this class I cut out the pattern from a sheet of 24 gauge copper metal, filed the edges smooth and hammered them around forms to get them to curl like you see them. Then heat via a jeweler's butane torch is applied to anneal the metal to make it pliable again. This process of hammering and heating is repeated until they are the shape I wanted. Then the last step was to apply heat again one last time to get the metal to display the beautiful colors you see. Copper starts out that bright shiny coppery color all over. I much prefer these beautiful colors! At least for this project. Then the hole is punched out at the tops, I hand-fabricated the earwires and the spirals, attached them, and voila! A cool new pair of earrings.
Next up, pretty enamel flower earrings with some more metalsmithing involved, and then a fold formed cuff bracelet! I am very excited about learning these techniques. This opens a whole new world in jewelry for me and I can't wait to learn more!
Thanks for stopping by. Please check out these posts by other JAC members:
Islandgirl's Insights Bead Sophisticate Cat's Wire Jewelry Art by Dawn
Bead up a Storm
