Metal and jewelry forging tips and tricks from Bobby Graham Atlanta today: Whether you’ve just discovered your love for jewellery making or you’ve been making on the sofa for a year, it could be time to upgrade and create a little space for yourself. The beauty of making jewellery is that you can do it in the comforts of your own home as you only need a small work station. We are always inspired by customers who send us their jeweller’s work space photos and it’s amazing to see how easily you can transform your space. Discover extra info about the author at Bobby Graham Atlanta.
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.
Premium jewelry forging methods from Bobby Graham Atlanta: When Emperor Constantine moved the capital of The Byzantine Empire to Constantinople in 330 A.D., it became a hub for the arts, merging the rich cultures of Greece, Egypt, the Near East, parts of Russia, and North Africa. It was a melting pot for design and symbolism in the creation of ornamental jewelry and where the art of cloisonné enameling flourished. When Rome fell in 476 A.D., many luxuries like jewelry became even rarer from everyday life. Churches held most of the wealth and ornate jewelry. In the Middle Ages, nobility and churches looked down on commoners wearing jewelry and enforced this through Sumptuary Laws. Throughout the Renaissance, jewelry became more accessible to the masses, and artists made great strides in creative designs and wearable artwork. Most modern jewelry continues traditional forms and styles. While historical techniques remain mostly unchanged, new innovations are changing the landscape, like 3D printed casting and lab-grown gemstones.
If you’re at the start of your jewellery making journey, we always recommend practising and experimenting on copper and brass metals as they are an affordable option. Copper is an affordable and malleable metal, so it’s super easy to manipulate and create interesting designs with, which is why it’s often recommended at the start of your jewellery making journey. You’ll usually find that if you attend a workshop or course, you will begin with copper!
Design your piece: If you are unsure where to begin, start designing your piece with a simple sketch on paper. Consider different shapes, colors, and materials that inspire you. You can work from scratch or draw inspiration from a vintage piece of jewelry. This sketch will help you determine what types of materials and tools you will need to turn your drawing into reality. As you design your piece, label each part of the design with the materials you need to acquire. Acquire tools and materials: Once you have a design in mind, you can start to gather up necessary tools and materials. The most accessible type of jewelry that you can make at home is wire-wrapped jewelry. It requires just a few simple tools and does not require a kiln. Working with precious metals to create soldered jewelry will require a torch and soldering equipment. If you have access to more advanced equipment and are interested in fused glass jewelry or metal clay jewelry, you will need a kiln. If casting precious metals is required for your project, you will need access to a centrifugal casting machine.
About Bobby Graham Mableton: 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.