Metal and jewelry forging solutions by Bobby Graham Cobb right now: Many jewellers work in the evening so it’s important to have a good light in the room you’re working on. A bendy desktop lamp is a perfect place to start, as you can move this around your bench and place it over the area you are working on. In the future, you can look at jewellery and craft lamps, with many coming with a built in magnifying glass to see your work up close. An office chair is an ideal seat to use at your bench and will give you more freedom over what height to sit at, depending on the work you’re carrying out. Find more information about the author at Bobby Graham Cobb.
Bronze is an alloy of multiple metals, primarily consisting of copper, used for thousands of years due to its durability. It has a lovely rich, warm colour similar in shade to rose gold and copper. It is another beginner friendly option for jewellery making plus it’s nice and strong meaning your designs will last. Due to the copper content, it can tarnish quickly and can cause your skin to go green but as we discussed in the sections above, this isn’t harmful and can be prevented with the use of products such as renaissance wax and midas finish seal lacquer. Silver is a soft, lustrous metal and is the standard quality of most silver jewellery sold in the UK. This metal is popular due to its workability and durability. Pure silver, like pure gold is too soft to make jewellery with, therefore it’s mixed with other metals to make it harder.
Best metal and jewelry forging advices with Bobby Graham Mableton: Start making! Once you have your design planned out, gather your materials, set up your workspace, and you are ready to start making! There are lots of project and technique tutorials online. If you are looking for a more interactive learning experience, you can always take a class or hire a private instructor when you are first getting started. Jewelry has been worn for so long that it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without it. The earliest known example of jewelry was a necklace made of bones, dated around 25,000 years ago, found in Monaco. Early stone jewelry originated in Iran and the Mediterranean between 3,000 and 400 BC. Many stone amulets featured simple carvings with symbols like flowers and stars and served as tributes to gods. Ancient Egyptians decorated their tombs and mummies with talismans, featuring ornate gems and stone-carved symbols. As far back as 1200 B.C, Greeks wore jewelry to reflect prosperity and wealth, made of gold and gemstones, and often as an offering to gods. The Romans believed in magic and myth and had a deep respect for the symbolism of gemstones. They resourcefully also melted down gold coins to cast into jewelry.
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.
Determine the type of jewelry you want to make: The first step in making jewelry at home is deciding the project you would like to make. There are many possibilities when it comes to jewelry making, from casting precious metals to fusing glass pendants. Choose one medium to focus on first, whether it is wire wrapping or casting jewelry, and know that you can learn and experiment with other methods later. The skills from one technique will likely build on and apply to other jewelry-making processes. Search for inspiration: Get inspired! A simple online search, Pinterest deep dive, or shopping around jewelry stores will further prove that the possibilities are limitless! Start by getting inspired and determining the type of materials you would like to work with, whether it is metal clay or glass. You can then design your project and determine the types of materials, tools, and equipment you will need.
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.