Recycled silver

Yesterday was such a grotty day here in Chichester, it just rained all day. 

I decided to have a little play with my new Smiths little torch in the studio, it really works like a dream. 

However what I produced wasn't a lot in terms of Jewellery but I recycled my scarp into usable sheet and wire.

I also had a bit of fun with the annealing process, which you can see from the photos.

Under The Mistletoe.

Under The Mistletoe

A Pussy Cat Christmas

20g Art Clay Silver

Enamel

Liver of Sulphur

Last month I was asked to make a project with a Christmas Theme as you all know I am the real mad cat lady, so it had to be cat related just for fun.

I used a fun but simple design which was made with 20grams of art clay silver kindly donated by 
Metal clay LTD at:
www.metalclay.co.uk

My silhouette cutter was used to cut the shapes, these were used as a texture sheet. The clay was roll over and then a snake was made to create the bail and the border. I also textured with a needle tool.

The piece was then fired in a kiln. Once fired, I was able to add the enamels. Once the enamels were applied and fire the pendant was polished and a patina added with liver of sulphur.

This is a little present for my younger sister who is all cat mad.

Art Clay Silver has a minimum firing temperature of 650 °C. Firing can be done in several ways:

Gas stove, with the help of a stainless steel grid.

A small blow torch.

Kiln.

HURRAH!!!

I know this doesn't look interesting but it will be, some square wire to use in a ring or something that I am not sure about just yet.

The important thing is I melted this with my new torch and it worked like a dream, so although it is a big silver chunk it won't be!!!!

Today's work in the studio.

These are the fruits of my labour in the studio today.

They are all made from sheet silver and some piercing work.

The Studio is tidy

After my massive sort out the studio is looking nice and tidy, all ready for my new torch.

See what you think!

I also managed to do a bit of etching, I like how that turned out.

This Year.

This year has been a full on year for me.

Firstly I have been certified by Lynne Glazzard Jewellery and Enamels as a Mokume gane instructor in metal clay. This technique is truly beautiful. Thank you Lynne for your wonderful instruction.

Then keith and I had a wonderful cruise around Italy, which was so good that we will be doing that again.

I invited Tilly Wilkinson to teach at my studio hear in Chichester, she taught us how to use enamels on copper and then to make a unique settings for the pieces, this re-kindled my love of colour with enamels.

Then is was another visit up to Lynne's for a short holiday, on the back end of that a course in stained glass painting with Alan, this was totally out of my comfort zone and I enjoyed the technique very much.

Lastly but not least was a 5 day course and my friends in Cornwall at CSACJ, this was a class with the very talented Goldsmith from the USA Micheal David Strulin. All I can say is I learnt loads it was  a fantastic end to a very busy year.

Below are some photos of just some of the things I got up to this year. I can honestly say I have enjoyed every bit of it.