I had a good time at silversmithing tonight and made a bit of progress with my ring. I managed to cut out 3 little flowers - this was quite fiddly to say the least! I used some punches to add a bit of texture to the flowers and made a start on bending some copper wire for the stems. Here's a couple of photos from my sketchbook and a photo of my progress so far (I haven't taken the protective film off the silver yet). Hopefully I'll be able to do some soldering next week!
Had my silversmithing class last night. Lots of possibilities for injuring yourself - big gas burners, saws, hammers, sharp things etc. So - I was busy sketching out my design for a silver ring when I knocked the metal ruler I was using. I went to grab it as it fell off the table - and one of the corners gouged the palm of my hand. Ouch. I didn't realise rulers where that sharp. It's not bad - just very embarrassing to have to ask your teacher for a plaster because you injured yourself on a ruler!
I've been getting stuck into the next module of my sketchbooks course today. I've done a painted colour wheel and also one using 'found objects'. I made a big space on our table and put some sheets of white paper down and then just kept adding things as I spotted them round the house. Here's the main photo I took:
I managed to pick enough raspberries today to make a small flan for pudding - I'm really pleased with our raspberries - I think they've done really well and they're very tasty.
Quicker at knitting, that is! I finished Ishbel in time for my friend's birthday and this morning I cast off 'Damson' - which I only started about 9 days ago! I really hope it grows a bit when I block it as it seems quite small. I'm just taking a break from having a tidy up to post this (I don't need much of an excuse for housework avoidance!). I've written a big 'to do' list - which I'm sure I won't get through today. I think I've almost done everything I need for module one of my sketchbooks course so I really want to get that sorted out and emailed to my tutor so that I can get access to the next module.
I really enjoyed my first silver smithing class - there are 12 people in the class - most of them have been going for quite a while (i.e a couple of years or more) and they've made some lovely things. Only 3 of us are beginners. We had a go at cutting some copper sheet with a really fine saw (the blades are very fine - I found it quite tricky to fit the blade but I did manage to use it without breaking it!). We then had a play with some of the different hammers to put some texture on the pieces. We also had a go at annealing the copper (using big gas torches - can't say I'm too keen on that part but hopefully I'll get used to it!) and then using a rolling mill (bit like a mangle) - you can put a piece of cloth, paper, etc (anything really - as long as it won't damage the rollers) onto the copper and put it through the rollers. Very cool. I was very surprised that you can use paper cut-outs to produce textures on metal. I want to try knitting some small swatches and trying them out. Anyway - here's my bits of copper from the first session. They are less than 2" high:
I need to work on some ideas for my first project - we are making a silver ring - and some other ideas as the tutor recommends we have more than one project on the go so you don't end up having to wait to use equipment etc. I've got a few ideas - I definitely want to make a shawl pin as I don't have one (and keep making shawls!).
Here's Ishbel (blocking):and a close-up:
I'm pleased with how it turned out - although my cast-off could have done with being a bit looser. I think I might make another one (for me!). I'll have to try spinning some more laceweight - I don't think I had enough to manage another repeat of the 'AB' section - although I did have quite a bit left over. I didn't want to risk it as I had to finish it quite quickly. I must choose another spinning project - I haven't done anything much since I finished the yarn for Ishbel - except have a play around making some rolags and trying to do longdraw. Least said about that the better! Lst's just say I need a lot more practice!
