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PIERCING
A Jeweller’s saw is used for general cutting of metals. It is also known as a Piercing saw. Piercing is a fundamental and versatile technique of cutting out or removing areas of metal to create design. It can be big and bold or extremely delicate and intricate. It also gives you plenty of practice sawing and helps improve the accuracy of your cutting.
SOLDERING
Soldering allows you to join Silver and a variety of metals together. Many pieces of jewellery are constructed from sheet metals and wires and these different components of your work are brought together using Silver Solders.
STONE SETTING
Setting techniques enable you to include other materials into your work. The first and most useful method is Bezel Setting. We construct Bezels or ‘pockets’ into which stones, found objects, bone, shell, and enamels can be paced. The top rim of the Bezel is pushed over against the object to hold it into place.
ETCHING
Etching is a wonderfully versatile method of adding design and imagery to the surface of your metal. Using a couple of techniques you are able to etch a variety of metals. A design is applied to the cleaned metal surface using two types of resist. The work is then submerged in an etching solution. The areas not covered by the resist become etched or recessed. Three dimensional objects and flat metal can be etched.
ENAMELLING
Vitreous Enamel is glass. The enamel comes in a powdered form and there is a huge range of glorious colours. Enamelling is an ancient technique of fusing glass on metal and has many styles of use. Three enamelling techniques are; Sifting and Stencilling, Cloisonne and Champleve.
SIFTING & STENCILLING
Dry enamels are sifted onto a copper base using stencils and various other means to create patterns and imagery. The piece is fired in a kiln and additional layers are applied to build up the design.
CLOISONNE
Fine ribbons of silver wire are bent to create patterns and design. These wires are attached to a silver base and damp enamel is carefully applied around the wires. The piece is fired in a kiln and additional layers of enamel are applied until the cloisons (or cells) are filled.
CHAMPLEVE
This style of enamel can be constructed using either piercing and soldering or etching. The idea is to create pockets for the enamel to be fired into. With this style you can have a variety of silver shapes and lines between the enamel patterns.
TEXTURING METALS
Textures can add a new decorative dimension to your jewellery. Some texturing techniques are Roller Printing, reticulation, fusing, hammering and stamping. It is possible to convert simple hardware tools into a range of texturing implements.