Copper ring with bezel - first attempt

So there has been a development into my work, I have moved onto silversmithing (with 7 weeks to go, what on earth am I thinking?!?) 

So I was told that it was easy so I gave it a go in copper with a CIM opaque pink twist 'gem'. 

I found the bezel making relatively easy to make and was quite pleased with the results. As my workshop technician is... well interesting I have been kicked out over the Easter holidays so when I return on the 8th April, its all hands on deck to make my final collecting in silver. AHH!

Brochure photos

So last Thursday and Friday we had our photographs taken ready for it to be sent for print early April. I was hoping to have a silver ring to photograph but I wasn't totally pleased with my silver clay one and I felt that it did not show the true style of my work. So I chose one of my unfired copper clay rings with my friend Plum, as my hand model. 

I have choosen two photos for my page in the brochure (as well as an inspiration shot). I chose the duo shot of my two blown pieces and my twirl ring facing the left. Fingers cross it looks fab :)

Silver Clay Ring

AHHHH.... I am so excited to reveal that... I have finally made a silver ring! 

This ring is hopefully the first of many. It has a transparent ink blue lamp work 'cab' with #00 clear frit (which for some reason has a reaction when I use it).

  

I am in love with this ring. It's pretty beastly and weighs in at 10g (I'm hoping the silver is under 7.78g so I don't have to have it hallmarked - not something I can afford to do at the moment). It is made from 999 pure silver and effetre glass. 

Copper Clay. The Results.

So the clay came out of the kiln the next day... however being so excited to use it and not worried about the cost. (Copper clay is £0.12 per gram compared to silver which is £2.40 per gram!!) I just went ahead and popped them in maxine on the same program as the pure silver;

550'C per hour to 600'C. Hold 600'C for 30 mins. Down to 520'C for 10 mins. Down by 80'C until 370'C. END.

However, without putting any thought into it, the copper wouldn't fire at this low temperature. After some research into copper clay and fiering schedules it is apparent that the copper needs to be fired at 970'C for 30 mins and then quenched in water and then pickeled. 

As Maxine only goes up to 650'C this will have to be done in the test kiln at uni. In addition to this, the glass will have to be added after the pieces have been finished and a 15% shrinkage will have to be taken into consideration.

So here are the outcome;

I know they don't look very different but they haven't been fired properly. Unfortunately the pink ring didn't survive (it was really thin to start with). So tomorrow I will make some more without the glass and pop them in for 30 mins at 970'C and see what happens :)

Copper clay rings

So we have our degree show photographs in two weeks... so I needed something to be photographed! Today I spent the day playing with copper clay :) It was surprisingly easy to work with and was just like earthenware. So here is a sneaky peak of the first few rings before they have been fired. 

So excited for tomorrow, to see what comes out of the kiln :)

Glass Blowing Session :)

My three initial glass blowing pieces came back today. I am please with one of them, the other two not so much. However, I have learnt a lot and can now progress with more. As glass blowing isn't taught on my course due to H&S we design the work and take it to Anthony Wassell at the Harley Gallery.

 This was my first, a duck egg blue opaque with GlassTaffy Hydrangea frit and then pulled into a curl. The curl wasn't as elaborate as I wanted but now I have seen it again I am really please.

This next piece is made from recycled coloured offcuts from Anthony. I chose opaque yellow, transparent red and a transparent orange (which you can hardly see). I am not sure why I chose this colours as they are really not me! The top we decided to try and manipulate by hand, I had a go, but we got too excited and melted it and ruined the curl.

And the final piece is a transparent indigo with emerald green foil ontop. As the foil has been applied between layers of clear it has air bubbles which have statred to pop in transit. I like the efffect the foil has but I don't think it is as striking as the frit. I also experiemtned with the shape here, creating a more subtle curve instead of a twist. 

So pleased and cannot wait to go back!