Metal Smithing

[ah2bqat]

Man, I can relate, Miz M, only I was trying to stay stocked in two local boutiques.  I gave up and went to that incredible coat store to round out the missing pieces.

PS loved DD and DH's Christmas photos.  She really is a princess!

[sherylsbuys]

Try Windex next time before cutting the ring off!  It is amazing.....

[Mrs Mitchell]

I haven't posted anything here in ages! I just made about 339 rolling rings and rolling bangles for friends, so I'm slightly sick of the sight of silver wire...

I did make this, though. I think it's just about the thing I'm most proud of. My wedding band is three sizes too big, and so is my engagement ring. This shaped band is to wear over the top of the set, to hold it in place until I size it down.

[Mrs Mitchell]

With my engagement ring (which I did not make...)

[Mrs Mitchell]

One more 

[sherylsbuys]

Very clever idea!  You should be very proud of your Metal Smithing!!!

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thank you! I'm quite proud of this one - simple as it is, I'm pleased with it.

Here are some rolling rings, unpolished. I lost the will to polish after a few hours  ;D7



finally, a rolling bangle, which I made for a friend. There are three different finishes on the silver.

[Diamondsbylauren]

NICE!!!!

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thank you!

I'm going to make a shaped platinum band next week. I have the wire here, but I am scared to put heat near it without my tutor right beside me. Chicken! The ghosts of all the silver things I've melted by mistake taunt me... 

[oldmancoyote]

The ring-fixing ring is neat. Nicely worked, too!

Melting point, pure silver: 962 °C
Melting point, pure platinum: 1786 °C

Don't worry about heat. You'll have a good time soldering platinum...

I like polishing, BTW. If we can figure out a way to get the rings to Switzerland and back to Scotland without paying too much in import duty, I'll polish them.

[Mrs Mitchell]

I know it in theory, but I don't quite believe it.    The melting point, I mean. I have a mental image of how this could go...

It would be cheaper to fly you to Scotland to polish them - import tax is insane. I have a very nice new bench polisher and a fantastic pendant motor with all sorts of different little bits for polishing, engraving, drilling, grinding etc. I LOVE power tools!

[clgwli]

Such lovely work there.  That fitted band is definitely something to be proud of!  I love the rolling bangle and the rings look lovely too!

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thank you!

[Trinkette]

  Love EVERYTHING, Mrs.M. Let me know when you are ready to take orders...

[Debangel]

Wow!  You do fantastic work!  Any chance you wanna Etsy another one of those rolling bangles??

[ah2bqat]

I have a very nice new bench polisher and a fantastic pendant motor with all sorts of different little bits for polishing, engraving, drilling, grinding etc. I LOVE power tools!

Me too, Miz M!  how about some pix of the new toys - er tools?  Love to see your setup!

PS.  love the rings and bangles, even unpolished!  You are getting really good at this metal smithing thing!  Still hoping to find a class around here (after all, Nevada IS the Silver State).   

[saqsay1]

Love the bangles. how about tri color ones? I'd love that.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Saqsay, I can do three colours, it isn't any more difficult. The thing that puts me off is the insanely high gold price. I don't really wear bangles, and the sterling ones are a nice little gift (I made many of them at Christmas) but gold is just a bit too expensive for that right now.

As for taking orders, I'm afraid not. Sorry. It's just a hobby, and it's fun to be able to make gifts for friends and family, but  I'm not ready to deal with actual customers.  Oh no. I know what y'all are like about your shiny stuff... seriously, I'd need a hallmark to be allowed to sell anything over 6g in weight and it's just a little bit more complicated than I can get into right now.

[Mrs Mitchell]

I have a very nice new bench polisher and a fantastic pendant motor with all sorts of different little bits for polishing, engraving, drilling, grinding etc. I LOVE power tools!

Me too, Miz M!  how about some pix of the new toys - er tools?  Love to see your setup!

PS.  love the rings and bangles, even unpolished!  You are getting really good at this metal smithing thing!  Still hoping to find a class around here (after all, Nevada IS the Silver State).   

I hope you do find a class - it's a lot of fun!

I'll see if I can tidy up my little work bench to the point where it would be presentable enough for a photo 

[DiamondsAreForever]

Nice Work, Jen. 

[Mrs Mitchell]

I have a very nice new bench polisher and a fantastic pendant motor with all sorts of different little bits for polishing, engraving, drilling, grinding etc. I LOVE power tools!

Me too, Miz M!  how about some pix of the new toys - er tools?  Love to see your setup!

PS.  love the rings and bangles, even unpolished!  You are getting really good at this metal smithing thing!  Still hoping to find a class around here (after all, Nevada IS the Silver State).   

Ok, here's a couple of pics.


A rolling ring in progress:

[Mrs Mitchell]

The 'oops' box.   Don't talk to me when I'm melting stuff...



Little workshop buddy:


Now. The truly sharp eyed might have spotted that this doesn't look exactly the same as the Uber Factory. Ok, well, I think it's because of the camera angle... 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Can you spot the deliberate mistake?



I'm no expert, but I'd say that ring is NEVER going to roll...

[oldmancoyote]

Why not? A cut, a shut and you are done!

[Mrs Mitchell]

Yes, it's fixable. I must admit, it took me a minute or two to figure out what the hell was wrong with it when I put it on the sizing mandrel, though. Bright little spark!