Week 3 and this week it’s a more creative process. Last week it was about using the rolling machine to imprint designs into silver, this week it’s using wire off cuts to create a scene.
No heavy machinery this week, just a pair of tweezers and my blow torch.
For these brooches, I started with a copper base, a simple circle cut from copper sheet. Then I just tipped up the silver pot and started to create the scene. A bit like mosaic you need just the right size and shape bit of wire or bead. This process is very relaxing, like a puzzle and can take a long time to get the design just right.
What I particularly like about using wire in this way is that as well as creating the picture is adds texture and interest as it’s a raised design rather than flat. I finished the scene by trimming, polishing and adding a dark oxidised patina to really bring out the detail.
Next week its using hammers and mandrels and so watch this space for the last blog on creative ways to use up my scraps.
