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afmetalsmithI have been seduced by the power of the spicula yet again.
Upon re-reading the article in the-magazine-that-used-to-be-Lap-Journal, I noted 2 things:
1. The spicula featured therein did NOT have their seams soldered; and
2. While the text said to taper the blank from 13mm in the middle to 3 at each end... the photos looked a lot more like the blanks tapered to 6mm at the ends.
So I decided to make another one. This one- also argentium (because I didn't have any 6-inch 22 ga. sterling sheet around)- tapers to 6mm on the ends. I plan on following the forming instructions in the article religiously... although heresy may nonetheless occur. :) Especially since I also plan on thinning the ends- something the article does not discuss, but which I know from reading other accounts of the creation of spicula is advantageous.
Also, I have decided to solder the seam of Spiculum #1. This is mainly so I can follow other instructions on forming it. I've got the middle soldered, and want to pound on the ends a bit more and then solder them, too.
I don't know yet if I'll solder the seam on #2; I shall leave that issue till later.
I am having a lot of fun with these, though, and have now got some notions on how to turn them into finished jewelry. Cool! Basically, I will use the spiculum shapes as a calligraphic line, and add some nifty stone or other as an accent. I certainly have lots of nifty stones!
In other news, I have settled on an approach for my loop-in-loop plus carnelian bracelet(s) that I'm happy with. Naturally, this requires more materials and tools... although at least I had not ordered gold wire for it that I have now decided not to use! I think this approach will work out quite well, both aesthetically and practically.
And soon- very, very soon- I am going to fire up the kiln and do some enameling. Joy!
Upon re-reading the article in the-magazine-that-used-to-be-Lap-Journal, I noted 2 things:
1. The spicula featured therein did NOT have their seams soldered; and
2. While the text said to taper the blank from 13mm in the middle to 3 at each end... the photos looked a lot more like the blanks tapered to 6mm at the ends.
So I decided to make another one. This one- also argentium (because I didn't have any 6-inch 22 ga. sterling sheet around)- tapers to 6mm on the ends. I plan on following the forming instructions in the article religiously... although heresy may nonetheless occur. :) Especially since I also plan on thinning the ends- something the article does not discuss, but which I know from reading other accounts of the creation of spicula is advantageous.
Also, I have decided to solder the seam of Spiculum #1. This is mainly so I can follow other instructions on forming it. I've got the middle soldered, and want to pound on the ends a bit more and then solder them, too.
I don't know yet if I'll solder the seam on #2; I shall leave that issue till later.
I am having a lot of fun with these, though, and have now got some notions on how to turn them into finished jewelry. Cool! Basically, I will use the spiculum shapes as a calligraphic line, and add some nifty stone or other as an accent. I certainly have lots of nifty stones!
In other news, I have settled on an approach for my loop-in-loop plus carnelian bracelet(s) that I'm happy with. Naturally, this requires more materials and tools... although at least I had not ordered gold wire for it that I have now decided not to use! I think this approach will work out quite well, both aesthetically and practically.
And soon- very, very soon- I am going to fire up the kiln and do some enameling. Joy!
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Date: 2007-10-29 10:28 pm (UTC)Thanks for the dimensions. My mega-spiculum is somewhat similar, except I used 18 ga. copper and it's pretty heavy. I did roll out the ends, though. I'm pretty sure it started at 12 in, and the end-rolling lengthened it some. I really need to get some power equipment (J had belt grinders) aand clean it up, and turn it into a torc or something- right now it's just straight.
I am making these spicula straight, and then will be shaping them around a mandrel. I was taken with the way Seppa described doing it and want to try! However, next time I'm using anticlastic stakes and doing both curves at the same time.
It took me several years to get the complete collection of the mini-stakes, and I just finished it this spring. Ouch! But they are completely delightful (as are his small hammers, at least the ones I've tried; I'm getting the new one with the removeable plastic faces in my next Rio order. Well, I need it! For anticlastic! Right????). I've hardly even scratched the surface of their uses, but they've saved my butt on a number of bezels now (especailly gold ones), plus some other shaping tasks- and I couldn't have made the Anvil Ring without them. Right now I have an experimental project I'm trying 2 ways, both involving exceedingly small raising, and they rock. Love!!!! I think my initial few were a rather extravegant birthday present from J. :)
The Lalique book is past words. I have a couple of projects I'm getting my skills up to the point of trying, inspired by it. Actually, engraving/carving with a flex might work really well for one of them... hmm...