Today I just wanted to show you guys a little ‘behind the scenes’ video of how I drill holes in the raw amber and make beads out of them. Yes, it is messy, even drilling one tiny amber produces a lot of waste!
#TBT First Silver Ring
‘Be not afraid of moving slowly, be only afraid of standing still.’ Chinese proverb.
Oct 5, 2019. Looking back, I wanted to tell you a story of how I made my first silver ring. As you know, I’ve been making jewelry well over 10 years, and I’ve been selling my beaded jewelry for the last couple of years, but silversmithing has always been ‘the next step’ for me. You know, how they forge the Ring in The Lord of the Rings? I was always fascinated how these most dazzling pieces of jewelry must first go through a true baptism of fire, must be heated and smoldered, hammered and scorched to ultimately become this delicate, radiant and shiny beauty.
One Saturday I started thinking about it again and as if led by an impulse I found a store where they let people try their hand at silversmithing. I knew exactly what type of ring I wanted to make: simple, silver, hammered band with V inscribed on the inner side.
The teacher was very helpful, showed and explained the process of making silver jewelry. We even exchanged Wechat contacts in case I needed his help making another piece of jewelry.
I can’t believe it was only 6 months ago! It seems like eternity and since then I made a huge leap by watching YouTube videos, reading about silversmithing, and finally making my own jewelry. I waited 3 years waiting to complete a silversmithing course, just to find out that there was never supposed to be any course, and that I had learn it all myself.
I think that impulsive Saturday was a big nudge for me to not wait any longer: for ‘the right’ time, ‘the right’ course, ‘the right’ conditions when I don’t have to work 9-to-5 type of job to finally work towards achieving my Dream. Because there’s never gonna be ‘the right’ time – until you make it so.
Soldering 101
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” Edwin Land.
So today I finally set up my basic, away-from-my-studio soldering station, I was collecting all the necessary equipment for this action for a few weeks, so today the big day finally came! And after the first try I can say.. it was a massive DISASTER!! Everything went wrong: I spent first 30min figuring out how to liquify borax cone without borax plate, the solder I got didn’t flow At ALL (it didn’t even melt!), I burnt my finger, and natural vinegar pickle is a MYTH. I feel more than discouraged…
Next few days I need to re-adjust the bathroom soldering station with a few changes:
- Buy the correct solder (if it melts, that would be nice).
- Get a Borax plate like a normal person.
- Get over your fears of dealing with sulphuric acid for a pickle bath.
- Don’t touch silver that was just heated with a torch. Come on!!!
Auch, my finger still hurts…
Hello world!
We will say Hello later, no ideas for now. 😉