What a terrific time I had learning silver jewellery making with Howard from RH Factor in Geeveston, Tasmania :) my home town. Aren't we lucky to have talented artisans/tradespeople working in our town, with Howard and Rino next door to the sweet shop and a mix of artisans at Southern Design, School Road, Geeveston.. if you haven't visited Geeveston put it on your agenda to do list please.
The pendant was the first piece I made - using a coping saw and filing the edges, making the pendant loop to thread the cord through, soldering.. nervous, but so much fun!
The silver plain ring was the second piece, I learnt to use the hammer to beat the metal, a few round beaten marks, along with some lines made with the back of hammer with a thick axe look about it!
The earrings were next, learning to apply copper tubing to a surface - tricky stuff!
The brooch had many facets to the learning experience, using a mould to curve the brass, learning how to reduce the copper, silver tubing through the sizing device, and making the entire fastening on the reverse.
Last I made a casing to hold a stone, this was really fiddly, and the first one I managed to melt under the oxy, so a good learning exercise there, re-making from scratch. Fixed to a pewter store bought ring body.
Wow so much in 3 days!! I hope to return soon for another 3 lessons.
