Metal and jewelry forging methods with Bobby Graham Mableton today: From working in the garage, the garden shed, spare bedroom, the corner of your lounge to a rented studio – every space works, you just need to make it your own. We talk you through everything you need to get started, including jewellery making tools and jewellers bench options. We also show you our favourite customer workshop photos, revealing the variety of ways you can create your own space within your home or a rented studio. See additional details about the author on https://twitter.com/BobbyGraham1989.
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 jewelry forging tips and tricks from Bobby Graham Cobb: Set up your workspace: Set up a clean table space in an area with lots of light. Jewelry making tends to happen on a much smaller scale, so it is a good idea to have plenty of light and even a magnifying glass if necessary. Your workbench should be solid so that when you hammer, stamp, and work your jewelry, it doesn’t wobble. A comfortable seat is critical as a jeweler because you may end up sitting in it for hours at a time. Consider a chair that supports your back and neck. Set up your seat so that you are eye level with your bench peg, so you don’t find yourself hunching over your work. If you plan on sanding, soldering, or polishing, make sure you have plenty of ventilation, as well as safety goggles, a mask, and proper fire safety equipment.
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!
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 Georgia: 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.