Upcoming Workshops
Metal Forming Instruction
'Silversmith', a clarification.
I am a silversmith, that does not mean that I only work with silver, nor does it make me a jeweller, in fact I am not a jeweller, although I may make jewellery.
I work with hammers and other tools, to transform (mostly) sheet metal, into things like teapots, trays, vases, sculptures… A Silversmith works with non-ferrous metals, but this does not mean I do not work with ferrous metals because I need to make my tools out of ferrous metals. I normally use silver solders to join pieces together, but common welding and brazing are also used. I sometimes work with bar stock rather than sheet metal; we call this forging. I forge solid items like spoons, knives, forks, handles, bangles, bracelets, beads (whoops slipped into making jewellery…) I make castings, I cast ingots, I forge ingots, and those ingots can be forged into sheets. It is easiercheaper to buy prepared sheet metals. Sometimes I take different kinds of sheet metal, heat them together until they join into a solid block, then I hammer it back out until it is the thickness of one of the original sheets. I take parts of it away so you can see all the different metals. I can then hammer it into a hollow form so it will hold liquid, or join it with other fabricated sections to make a vessel with a purpose. I then sand, polish and patina it to take all those hammer marks away so you cannot discern how it was made. Some of pieces might need to have a hinge, or some need extra material for support, some need insulation, or ventilation, or they are designed for some practical use.
I think that’s fun, and I would love for you to come and be a part of the fun in my studio workshop.