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A very enjoyable workshop! Casting is a “hit or miss’ process, so there is always the element of surprise when you have cast in silver and open your mould…
Here are a few images from the day.
Making the mould.
Removing the original item from the mould, before casting in silver.
Heating the silver.
The molten silver.
Some of the castings before filing or cleaning up.
A silver tag.
A silver tag.
Silver key.
On Tuesday 17th January Phil and Harj joined me in the studio to make their own wedding rings. We had a lovely day and they made beautifully finished rings, and even a pair or earrings. Here are some images from their day…
Silver wire
Phil and Harj starting to shape the wires
Harj adding solder to the ring
Soldering
Will you marry me!
It fits!
Finishing off the rings
Filing and buffing to remove marks
The finished rings. Polished silver and matt hammered silver.
On Tuesday 13th December Gemma and Alex joined me in the studio to make their own wedding rings. It was a special day as it was their anniversary of getting together and of their engagement too. We had a really enjoyable day and they made fantastic rings. Here are some images from the day.
Alex and Gemma
9k white gold wire
Shaping the wire with pliers
Ready to cut off the excess.
Cut and ready to bring the ends together.
Soldering
Making the rings smaller
Alex and Gemma working hard to make the rings look lovely!
The finished rings!
On Saturday 29th October Ben and Natasha joined me in the jewellery making studio to make their wedding rings. Although they had no previous experience of working in metal, they both made wonderful rings. They made each others, with Natasha making a 6mm 9k white gold band whilst Ben made a 2mm palladium band. It was really enjoyable day and over lunch we could compare chicken keeping experiences; so I learnt new things too!
Here are some images form their day:
9k white gold and palladium wire.
Using pliers to shape the metal into a ring shape.
Trying the rings to get the right size.
Made to the right size, and marked ready to cut with the piercing saw.
Adding solder to the ring.
Hammering the ring to make it round.
Filing and buffing the rings to remove any marks.
Filing and buffing the rings to remove any marks.
The finished rings, the palladium is polished while the white gold is matt.
Find out more about making your own wedding rings.
On Friday 16th September Caroline and Tom spent the day in the studio with me making their wedding rings. They were very enthusiastic and excited students who loved the whole process. They made each others rings, so Caroline had the tougher job of turning 5mm platinum wire into a beautiful wedding band. Tom did a fantastic job making Caroline’s ring, even using the small offcuts of platinum from his ring to make Caroline a beautiful little pair of stud earrings!
Here are some of the images from their day in the studio.
5mm platinum and 2mm 18k gold wires
Annealing the wire
Shaping the metal to form a circle, and checking it for size. Caroline made sure Tom was not going to take it off!
Tom assisting Caroline!
Cutting through the over lap to ensure a good join is made ready for soldering
Adding the platinum solder
Once soldered Tom and Caroline hammered the rings to make them round and flat
The final polish!
Platinum requires a lot more work to get a high polish, and Caroline persevered and gave the ring a perfect polish!
And finally - the finished rings!
I am a contemporary jewellery designer maker based in rural Herefordshire. My collection is subtle and pure incorporating clean lines and a soft finish. I pass on my skills through teaching jewellery workshops from my jewellery making studio. All designs are handmade.
