Jewelry forging guides by Bobby Graham Mableton right now: 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. Discover even more information about the author on Bobby Graham Atlanta.
You can use gold filled metals for high quality designs as it is very durable and with reasonable care it will not peel or flake. It should also last as long as solid 14k gold jewellery. It is also safe for most people with sensitive skin. Gold vermeil, pronounced vermay is sterling silver that has been gold plated. Vermeil have a thicker coating of gold than plated items do, often up to 50% thicker. Vermeil must use at least 10 carat gold (most of our vermeil has been plated with 22-24 carat gold which makes it good quality.) Vermeil is a good choice for people who get allergies to base metals of plated items such a copper and brass, due to the core always being sterling silver. Due to the use of both sterling silver and gold, vermeil is more expensive than both plated and filled metals.
Best rated metal and jewelry forging tips and tricks from Bobby Graham Atlanta: Jewelry making as a hobby vs. profession: Jewelry making is more accessible now than ever before. You can begin jewelry making through online tutorials and in-person classes. From there, you may decide if you would like to become a professional jeweler or simply make jewelry as a hobby. If you choose to make jewelry as a hobby, you can make jewelry only for yourself and close friends. It can be a more exploratory adventure, discovering the endless techniques, alloys, gemstones, and more. It will be a smaller financial investment to explore jewelry as a hobby. If you are interested in embarking on jewelry-making as a profession, it will require a greater investment in time, marketing, equipment, and education. Professional jewelers often specialize in a specific jewelry technique and metal alloy, like a goldsmith. They can release their work in seasonal lines, which display a cohesive body of their work.
It’s important to note, that unlike the other metals on this page plated metal cannot be soldered as the process will remove the plated finish. Plated metal wire therefore is mainly suitable for wire-wrapped designs and creating components. Using plated metal in your designs is a great way to practice jewellery making if you’re on a budget and not concerned about the durability of your design. Although plated metals are a great affordable option, due to the thin layer of plating it will rub off with time and wear, revealing the base metal beneath.
Design your piece: If you are unsure where to begin, start designing your piece with a simple sketch on paper. Consider different shapes, colors, and materials that inspire you. You can work from scratch or draw inspiration from a vintage piece of jewelry. This sketch will help you determine what types of materials and tools you will need to turn your drawing into reality. As you design your piece, label each part of the design with the materials you need to acquire. Acquire tools and materials: Once you have a design in mind, you can start to gather up necessary tools and materials. The most accessible type of jewelry that you can make at home is wire-wrapped jewelry. It requires just a few simple tools and does not require a kiln. Working with precious metals to create soldered jewelry will require a torch and soldering equipment. If you have access to more advanced equipment and are interested in fused glass jewelry or metal clay jewelry, you will need a kiln. If casting precious metals is required for your project, you will need access to a centrifugal casting machine.
About Bobby Graham Mableton: 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.
