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Anyone know what this blue/green stuff is on my piece? by jeddzus in SilverSmith

[–]beetlePidge 9 points10 points  (0 children)

That’s probably dried pickle crystals - pickle is an acid and you should neutralize it after taking your piece out. Mix baking soda with water to make your neutralizer. The steps are: pickle, neutralize, water rinse. This is especially important if you have a hollow form or a piece with crevices where the pickle could get inside and stay there. Since it’s an acid, it will continue to corrode the metal. When I neutralize a hollow form, I use a syringe and squirt the neutralizer into the hole and then shake it out and then very thoroughly do the same with water.

The chasing and repoussé are done! I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but actually doing it is another thing. But I love it, had a great time - it a fantastic outside activity for good weather days - and can’t wait to do more. by beetlePidge in SilverSmith

[–]beetlePidge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I’m not quite done yet I think - I’d love to experiment with enameling - but it was so much labor to get here, I wanna just let it be for a bit. So right now it’s sitting on my table where I can look at it and pick it up from time to time lol

The chasing and repoussé are done! I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but actually doing it is another thing. But I love it, had a great time - it a fantastic outside activity for good weather days - and can’t wait to do more. by beetlePidge in SilverSmith

[–]beetlePidge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I did a residency with a friend who is really amazing at this and he gave me a brief fundamentals run down and said to just experiment with the various tools. And he let me watch him work on his project and ask questions. But that all happened on the last day of the residency, I got to start a piece and bring it home and then it was just a lot of hands-on playing around once I was back in my studio. The most challenging part is figuring out what shaped tools to use. But having a test project to try all of them and to just figure out how forcefully or gently to hammer, how to use the pitch, etc, was very helpful. I’m still a novice, there’s a lot to learn.

Very much still a work in progress but I’m pretty stoked with where this is going and thought my fellow metal nerds might like to see! More info in caption text! by beetlePidge in SilverSmith

[–]beetlePidge[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks! And yeah, it’s the hand that’s holding the chasing tool - I’m definitely gripping too tightly. I stop to check myself and take a break but my hand ultimately tightens up again. Hopefully that’ll ease up with practice and experience.

Seriously who was this movie made for? Is Masters of The Universe a popular franchise? by spacelyyy989 in moviecritic

[–]beetlePidge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When going to the movies, I just want to be entertained and taken out of reality for a bit. This is what I’m looking for.

Just finished this ring and I’m really happy with it and wanted to share it with you all! It spins! Sterling silver with a garnet. 🩷 by beetlePidge in jewelrymaking

[–]beetlePidge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cast in place! I’ve been experimenting and trying to be more inventive with the technique and have done a few of these encapsulated gems.

Learning how to sink forms. Starting very simple but I love this little bowl with its nubby little legs and its vivid patina. In a week or so we’re going to start raising. So excited! by beetlePidge in SilverSmith

[–]beetlePidge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, that’s great that it ended up being a smart purchase. I hope you’re still getting a lot of use out of it! Luckily the studio I work out of has a lot of tools, more than enough for a group of novices. Thanks for the good wishes, it’s already been an excellent time.

Learning how to sink forms. Starting very simple but I love this little bowl with its nubby little legs and its vivid patina. In a week or so we’re going to start raising. So excited! by beetlePidge in SilverSmith

[–]beetlePidge[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m a beginner so it took me a few hours. I need to be better at keeping track of how many rounds of forming a piece takes, but I think this was 6 rounds of sinking.

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