My Process
Throughout my work with silversmithing, I have learned many different techniques to making custom made jewelry. I typically start with a bullion of fine silver, melt it down, and roll it out to the desired thickness. Then the fun really begins, starting with a design. Techniques I use include hand sawing, texturing, soldering, fusing, fold forming, reticulation, synclasting, anticlasting, saw piercing, and more. I also start with sheets of sterling silver to make pieces that need greater structure such as rings as cuffs. Sanding and polishing are critical finishing processes to complete each piece of jewelry into a wearable work of art.
Fold-Forming
Form folding is a metalworking technique commonly used in silver jewelry crafting. It involves manipulating a sheet of metal through a series of folds, hammering, and annealing (heating and cooling) processes to create intricate and three-dimensional shapes. This technique allows me to achieve unique textures, patterns, and sculptural forms that add depth and visual interest to their pieces.
Saw-Piercing
Saw-piercing, also known as fretwork or piercing, is a traditional metalworking technique used in jewelry making. It involves using a jeweler's saw to cut intricate and delicate patterns or designs out of a sheet of metal, such as silver. This technique allows for the creation of highly detailed and decorative elements that can be incorporated into the pieces I create. Saw-piercing is often used to create focal points, decorative elements, and intricate patterns in jewelry.
Reticulation
Reticulation is a specialized technique in jewelry making that involves controlled heating and cooling to create unique textures and patterns on the surface of a metal, such as silver. The process produces a distinctive wrinkled or rippled texture that can resemble natural textures like bark, waves, or molten lava. It's an artistic and experimental technique that results in one-of-a-kind pieces due to the unpredictable nature of the patterns formed during the process.
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