Silver Bee

Silver Bee Talks Tools

I decided that this year it would be nice if everyone could see exactly what those tools are that I keep suggesting you might bring with you to class.

I do have tools to share in the classroom but if you would like to have your own these are what I suggest. Please mark your tools clearly.

If you are planning on purchasing the tools, ask first if the store will give a discount to those taking classes. You will usually require your receipt for this but it never hurts to ask. I work at Capilano Rock and Gem and if you find yourself there purchasing tools they offer a 10% discount on hand tools if you are taking a class.

A few items I strongly suggest you consider bringing:

Good magnification for your eyes. I have a few pairs of "cheaters glasses" on hand but it's always better if you have ones that you know will work for you.

Safety glasses

An apron - for obvious reasons. :-)

Ear plugs if you are particularly sensitive to a lot of loud noise.

The following are the lists of suggested tools for each class:

Stacking Rings

• torch and butane,
• digital calipers,
• round ring mandrel,
• rawhide or plastic mallet,
• ring bending pliers,
• ring clamp and
• #2-cut Flat hand file.

Walk in the Park Bracelet

• apron (plan on getting messy),
• #0 or #00-cut (course) metal file
• metal shears.

Epiphany Bracelet and Charm

• torch & butane,
• 1 or 2 hole punch,
• prong pusher,
• burnishing tool

Trinity Rings

• torch and butane,
• digital calipers,
• round ring mandrel,
• rawhide or plastic mallet,
• ring bending pliers.

Now it's time for the tool parade!

 

Torch and Butane

This is only one of many different types of butane microtorches available. If you are considering purchasing one but are unsure if it right, send me an email.

I have a limited number of these to share and if you would like to reserve one please contact me by email.

 

Digital Calipers

These are especially necessary if you plan on making rings after the class. There are different lengths available, 4" (pictured above) and 6". Both are good and sometimes you can find them on sale in hard ware stores.

 

Rawhide/Plastic Mallets

As you can see they come in many shapes and sizes. The white one at the top of the photo is a weighted plastic hammer, the middle one is plastic and the last one is made of rawhide. All will work although my personal favourite is still the rawhide hammer.

   
Ring Bending Pliers

I took the upright photo of the pliers because it shows clearly that one side of the pliers are half round and the other is flat.

Ring Clamp

This is a tool that might sit in your toolbox for some time but when an occassion arises for it's use you will be glad you had it squirreled away.

#2-Cut 6" Flat Hand File  

The #2-Cut refers to how coarse the file is. You find in class that I primarily use the #2-Cut and #4-Cut (which is finer). Both files are invaluble but if you are only going to purchase one file then let it be a #2-Cut. Files are an expensive purchase but will last you a very long time if looked after properly. Protect them while they are in your tool kit by wrapping them in a cloth and keeping them separate from each other. Files file files. :-) Figure that one out!

Odd Assortment of Files

These files are specifically meant for the Walk in the Park bracelet. If you have a courser file such as a #00 in your tool kit that is great but any file that has a bit of tooth to it will work fine. I have collected odds and sodds of files over the years so please don't go out and purchase one especially for this class.

Sheers

The purpose of these sheers is to cut metal and any one of these styles will do although the larger ones will make it much easier. If you already have a smaller pair of tin snips that will work as well.

 

 

One and Two Hole-Punches

These are for punching holes in the disks you will be using for the bracelet and charm. My favourite and easiet to use is the 1.8mm one-hole punch but the other punch gives you the option of two sizes and is excellent as well.

Prong Pusher

This is one of two tools that you will be using to set the stone on the charm.

 

  
Burnishers

This is the other tool used for setting the stone on the charm. There are many different sizes and shapes of this particular tool. I recommend one where the burnishing part of the tool is short and slightly curved.

I know the description of the tools is not lengthy but that's why you are taking the class, to learn about them! If you do have questions about them please don't hesitate to send me an email, leave a comment, or go to my facebook page for "Silver Bee" and leave a message there. You have to like me first though. :-) 

I look forward to seeing you in class!

Silver Bee has an update and a few thoughts on teaching.

The Fraser Valley Bead Show is next weekend - March 25th, 26th and 27th. 

The update is the Exploring Enamel on Copper class is sold out!  If you wanted to sign up for it but didn't get a chance there is another opportunity. I'll be teaching it in New Westminster, May 19th which is a Thursday evening. The information is not on their website yet but as soon as it is I'll do another update post on that.

I'm being a busy bee (pun intended) getting the classes all prepared. Everything I'm teaching at the bead show is new material so I'm busy writing instructions and taking photos for them. Each time I have to do this I underestimate the time it takes to prepare. Truth is I suspect that I'm procrastinating because I'm such a perfectionist about the instructions. I know how much work and worry I'll put myself through to make sure they are...well perfect, at least in my estimation.I also suspect that because writing instructions is a skill I'm still learning, (I hope I never stop) so I question everything as I go through the process.

"Teaching makes you aware of the blind spots in your own learning – you have to go back and fill in those gaps before you can explain the subject to students and answer their questions properly." - Mark McGuiness

This is so true! When I think of projects to teach I usually have to go through the process of making it and as each step progresses I figure out whether or not I will be able to translate my movements into a teaching format. If not, I back up and think about how I can convey this information in a way that makes sense to those hearing it. For anyone who has done creative work I'm sure you understand. How many times have you skipped a step or fudged one because you knew you could or didn't entirely get w hat you were supposed to do. When you are teaching you can't encourage breaking the rules until they are well known. Which is why I have to think and learn my way through each step. 

 Which brings me to the other two classes that still have space available! They are both billed as intermediate but I'm hoping that isn't scaring off anyone looking at the class. It really means that I would like to know you can do basic soldering. I'll teach the rest!

Stacking Rings  (The Next Step)
Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm (1 hour lunch break) 

Imagine this sparkly set adorning your finger knowing you made it with your own two hands!

 

 

 

Double Domed Earrings
Friday 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Wouldn't you love to wear a fun pair of these earrings like these out of the class! Time permitting I hope to be able to add a pendant to the schedule but if it doesn't you will have the materials and the skills to finish it at home.

 

 

There are also many other great classes available taught by some awesome instructors! Check them out.

Back to writing instructions. :-)

Silver Bee has a few classes to tell you about!

I know it's been awhile since my last post when my dad asks when I'm going to write a new one. Has it really been that long dad? I felt like a child for a moment trying to explain why it's been so much time has passed when I realized there are no excuses (that was the adult). Just sit and write! Even a little note just to stay in touch with those who do read my blog (thank you). I have a long list of classes to tell you about but don't worry about having to remember them all I'll post again to remind you. So here they are:

Fraser Valley Bead Show is just three weeks away and I am thrilled at the classes Barrie has lined up for everyone to chose from, three of which I'll be teaching. They are brand new classes and I'm so excited about them. If you have a sudden urge to jump right in and sign up, there is on-line registration. How easy is that!

First don't be scared off if they are listed as an intermediate class. It just means this class is meant for those with a little experience soldering. That way I'll be able to jump right into the project rather than starting from scratch with how to solder. Of course you'll get my usual safety lecture and here is a head start.

Wear natural fibers when you are working with flame and hot metal. Consider bringing an apron to protect your clothing. I also recommend you wear shoes to protect your feet if anything falls, tools or otherwise. No scarves, please, and tie long hair back. I will be providing dust masks to use. If you need corrective lenses for close-up work please bring yours. Safety glasses are another important item. I have a few pairs to lend. See that wasn't difficult.

DOUBLE DOMED STERLING EARRINGS

Friday, March 25
3:00pm - 6:00pm

The name is a tongue twister but you’ll soon find out the technique isn’t. In fact you’ll be making the sterling silver double domed bead twice. You’ll also be making your own headpins and earring wires for a totally made from scratch project. Combine that with some texturing, a little old world charm antiquing, and something sparkly to make a unique pair of earrings you can proudly leave the class with.

P.S. I had a little fun using colours for the patina and different patterns each earring. Mostly just to show you the possibilities! You can make yours matching and create a black patina.

 
STACKING RINGS (The Next Step)

Saturday, March 26, 2011
9:30am - 4:30pm
(includes 1 hour break for lunch)

Do you remember those colourful stacking rings that graduated in size and taught little ones about hand, eye co-ordination? Imagine instead a grown-up version that you stack on your fingers and that’s what you will be learning to make in this class. We start by learning to properly measure, saw and file the silver for well-fitting rings; then we add a bezel-set cubic zirconia onto one of the bands. Lastly we learn to add the personal touch to the other rings to complete the set.  

EXPLORE ENAMEL ON COPPER

Sunday, March 27, 2011
1:30pm - 4:30pm

Discover how to use a micro torch to hand fire enamel onto copper discs. Learn some basics of enamelling with a few design techniques and soon you will be creating a variety of fun, colourful pieces you can use to make charms, earrings, or pendants. After an introduction to this brand of enamelling you’ll have time to experiment with what you have learned and take home several pieces you can wear.

But wait there's more!!

For those of you that haven't had the chance to take the Spinning Ring Class at the Fraser Valley Bead Show I am teaching it for the Burnaby Continuing Ed program. Here's all the information:

FLARED SPINNING RING

Saturday, April 9th, 2011
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Byrne Creek School

 
Learn how to make a ring that has flare and a little spin too! First make a ring with sterling silver sheet and then give it a spin with textured sterling, gold fill or copper wire. Flare the ends to keep the spinner in place. What could be more fun to wear!

 

New Westminster Continuing Education Program has also asked me to teach. They are not listed online yet but as soon as they are I'll post the links.

So that's all folks!

This one's for you dad...am I still grounded?

 

 

Silver Bee is teaching at the Spring Fraser Valley Bead Show

It's difficult to believe that the Spring session of the Fraser Valley Bead Show is only two weeks away. I haven't even mentioned that I will be teaching 3 classes and one of them is already sold out! Barrie Edwards, the show's founder, has done it again with a great line-up of classes and merchants. There will be so much to feast your eyes on and you'll find that all sorts of treasures are just begging to go home with you. 

I'm teaching the following but make sure to also check out the other wonderful classes available.

Deluxe Silversmithing
Friday, March 12
11:30 am - 6:30 pm which includes a 1 hour lunch

During this one day class you will not only learn the basics of silver smithing but you will also learn how to set a gemstone for the centerpiece of this beautiful bracelet. The morning will be focused on learning about what it takes to successfully solder. You will create the links of your bracelet using round and patterned sterling silver wire. In the afternoon you will learn to create the setting for your gemstone centerpiece as well as several different methods to personalize your centerpiece using hand-texturing techniques. There will also be an opportunity to learn some different techniques for antiquing your work. The techniques you learn in this class will be easily applied to your future designs. 

Spinning Ring
Saturday, March 13
9:30-12:30

Unfortunately this one is already sold out but both the Deluxe Silversmithing and the Bezel Set Pendant have some room left. 

Bezel Set Pendant
Sunday, March 14
9:30-12:30

Learn how to set a stone into a bezel and make a beautiful pendant you will be proud to wear. In this class you will create a setting for a gemstone using fine silver bezel wire and a textured sterling silver base. You will learn how to use different hammers, wire and metal stamps to create a wonderful textured background for your stone. We will also be using a couple of techniques for antiquing your pendant. You can take this new skill of bezel making and apply it to many other projects for the future.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the show!

Silver Bee is teaching...The Fraser Valley Bead Show

It's that time of year again. The weather is changing, the days are growing shorter and the Fraser Valley Bead Show is back for October 9, 10 & 11th! And I'm thrilled to be teaching a couple of the classes. Back by popular demand, Basic Soldering and new this year, Embellished Viking Knit Bracelet.

Embellished Viking Knit Bracelet 
Sunday, October 11
9:30am - 12:30pm

Learn the ancient skill of the Viking Knit to craft your own beautifully embellished bracelet. Using copper or sterling silver, you will create a section of Viking Knit chain learning to finish the ends securely and beautifully. You will incorporate the viking knit piece with beautiful locally handmade lampwork beads and Czech glass to complete this stunning bracelet. The beauty and simplicity of the Viking Knit will soon have you under its spell wanting to create more. The kit includes fully illustrated instructions and tools, with the exception of chainnose and cutting pliers,  necessary to repeat or create a new project when you leave.

Basic Soldering
Saturday, October 10
9:30am - 12:30pm 

 Discover the basics of silver smithing and make a bracelet that you’ll want to show off to friends. In this class you will learn about annealing and soldering the individual links and subsequently joining them together to create your bracelet. You will learn about sheet solder and preparing it for use, some basic texturing and shaping of the links, how to use a tumbler and a few basics of metallurgy.

Last year an extra session of this class was added when the first one sold out. I loved teaching it and from all that I heard students loved being there learning the process of soldering. The smile on everyone's face when they left the classroom with their new bracelets is what keeps bringing me back to teach.

 

 

Just a few of the students from the Sunday 2008 class. What a great group of women but then they all are!

Don't forget to check out all the other classes as well! Barrie Edwards, show organizer and founder has done it again by creating a great line up of classes and vendors. It will be the place to be!

Silver Bee is teaching...Fall '09 session

Last week was a fantastic week of teaching! I love it when students are passionate about learning something new. One women was so thrilled with her experience she wrote a post on her blog! When Heather arrived with her camera I had this fleeting moment she thought I was going to teach photography! The moment passed when I saw she also had her torch with her. 

I'm teaching again this fall for what used to be North Shore Continuing Education but is now Vanterra Education. The City of North Vancouver dropped all non academic courses last June. Former course co-ordinator Linda VanderHeide recognized a need in the community for these courses and Vanterra Education was born.

"Vanterra Community Education is proud to continue the tradition of life-long learning (continuing education) on the North Shore. We offer a variety of Certificate and General Interest courses. Whether you’re planning to improve your career, learn a new language, or take up a new hobby, Vanterra will be the place to start."  ~ Linda VanderHeide

I'm pleased to say that I will be teaching the Silversmithing Introduction course once more.

Silversmithing Introduction

Date: Monday Sept 21 (for 8 sessions)
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Lucas Centre
Instructor: B. Astells
Course Fee: $185

Discover that with even basic silver smithing techniques it’s possible to create beautiful jewellery using sterling silver or copper. Practice and apply techniques like sawing, piercing, soldering, texturing and riveting. Develop confidence by using these skills to complete several class projects. Learn and have fun! Most equipment provided, additional costs of approx $35. for project materials.

If you are a first time student I will ask for a $20.00 supplies fee, which is part of the $35.00 additional cost mentioned. This will cover all the materials, you will require for projects that are part of the course outline. This also takes into account the many hand-outs I have prepared.

Please notice that the class will no longer be held at Carson Graham School. They are doing serious renovations and the shop/metal class is part of that. Don't worry a new home has been found and I think that it will be even better! I'm really excited about holding the classes in what used to be a pottery studio at the Lucas Centre. I also hope to spend some time there before the summer is over making sure it is ready for classes. It will involve some elbow grease so I may be looking for some volunteers. Stay tuned for that.

Silver Bee fights bloom - part two

Welcome back! I know I’m a bad bee for taking so long to write Part 2: “All about polishing”. No excuses. Instead, back to that blooming firestain and how to rid your silver of it. 

In the previous post I wrote about finding firestain/scale on a ring already set with a stone. The stone, an aquamarine, will crack if I try to use depletion gilding to remove the firestain/scale. I had set the ring aside with other projects that hadn’t quite worked out. It would have sat there for some time, except that someone asked about removing firestain/scale after a stone was already set. How serendipitous that I had a ring with that same problem! Is it weird to be excited? I felt compelled to find a solution.

While researching for a solution I discovered much more than just the answer to removing firestain/scale. I found out that not all cutting or polishing compounds are made equal. Manufacturers’ recipes differ so it’s not a simple matter of choosing a colour for the compound.

I decided to try bobbing compound first. I had read and heard it was excellent for removing firestain/scale. But it didn’t work which had me puzzled until I read about the variations of different formulas among what looked like similar types of compounds. The bobbing compound I used was yellow while the compound I heard about is more of a mustard/ochre colour.

Undeterred I tried another compound called XXX White Diamond with a yellow chemkote  (treated muslin) buff. It worked! I then used bristle brushes to get into the area around the bezel setting. Regardless of how much firestain/scale you are dealing with patience is key here. It works but it takes time.

Be mindful of the stone. Cover it with masking tape or a waxy type lubricant. If the silver starts to get warm back off a little. Heat is not a stone’s best friend unless you are trying to change the colour. But that is another subject.

The ring did look good but could it look better? Not really knowing the answer, another  experiment was in order. Using a muslin brush I tried rouge next. It was still looking good. But I had to keep testing having had such success with removing the firestain/scale. Using a chamois brush I tried ZAM, another final polish safe for most stones. The shine was even better.

One thing I noticed during this process were the fine lines left behind by the last sanding of the ring shank. No matter how fine the sandpaper, the fine lines wouldn’t disappear. Asking my instructor, Bryan Taylor, about it brought to light that it doesn’t matter how many times you try to finish the surface, if you keep using the same direction you are only polishing the fine lines rather than removing them. His suggestion was to hold the ring at a 45 degree angle to the brush, polish the entire shank, turn it and continue to polish the shank again. The result was amazing! The fine lines were gone and the ring was left with a jewellery store polish.

This concludes the saga of firestain and the ring. Make sure to wear protection for your eyes and a mask while polishing. Compounds create a lot of dust and you need to keep your lungs safe.

Happy polishing and as always, stay safe!

Silver Bee fights bloom - part one

I took my first soldering class a few years ago. It excited me, and it has become one of the things I love to explore. (I've already mentioned its possibilities several times in previous posts.) The instructor for that first class taught the basics of soldering and concluded with a demonstration of polishing machine technique. The machine was large and intimidating (I was new at it all) so I never took the opportunity to use it. Many times  since I've wished I'd had asked more questions. 

My next instructor, Barrie Edwards, doesn't use polishing compounds as a rule -- "too  messy" -- so I didn't use them either. Everything went into the tumbler. Much of Barrie's jewellery is textured and what isn't...well, she has the touch because it seems to come out just fine and nicely polished. She also has 16 years of experience compared to which I'm a newbie.

Not long ago I was making a ring using a beautiful faceted aquamarine. I had finished setting a stone into the completed ring and felt quite good about it...until the next morning when, under natural light and with rested eyes, I saw firestain on the band. Because I didn't know how to remove firestain from a ring with a stone already set I left it sitting on my bench for a couple of weeks...and weeks.

A bit of explanation: Firestain/firescale is sometimes described as a "reddish purple-toned bloom". Odd description for something that is also referred to as the bain of silversmithing. You might also have heard it described as a light grey or purplish stain. Sterling silver, a copper bearing alloy, oxidizes when heated in the presence of oxygen. If you sustain the  heat for too long after the solder flows you risk turning the oxidation into firestain, not to mention melting the piece. This is why it is important to remove the flame quickly when the solder flows. It is also advisable to flux the entire piece so it will attract oxygen. The flux will get spent if you continue to heat the piece and that's when firestain can happen. However, in my experience if you're making a quick join like a chain link or jump ring total fluxing is not necessary.

Depletion gilding is way of dealing with firestain. Heat the piece to bring the oxides to the surface and then pickle it. Do this several times taking care not to overheat it. Eventually you are left with a thin coating of fine silver on the surface, and as long as you don't vigorously file and polish it the firestain will be taken care of. I have now used this process before and it works well. My discovery of polishing compounds has changed the way I deal with the "bloom". 

This is a serial post. Stay tuned for Part 2: "All about polishing" in a couple of days. I promise. :)

If you have questions I would love to see them posted in the comments. Then we all get to share the answers.

Happy soldering, and stay safe!

Silver Bee is teaching...Spring session

 Just keeping everyone up to speed on the dates for the Introduction to Silver Smithing. The truth is I was really getting myself up to speed. It's been embarrassing not having the answer about the course dates. So here you have it...date, time and place!

April 20th thru to June 15th
Monday evenings 6:30 - 9:30
Course fee: $175.00
Carson Graham School

Spring is a time when most of us are willing to come out of hibernation and take a class or two. From what I've been told by Linda at North Shore Continuing Education the class is half full. So to avoid disappointment consider signing up sooner rather than later.

If you have any questions about the course you can leave it in the comments or send me an email.

Looking forward to the spring session!

A teaching Bee

It's the winter session of the basic silver smithing course for Mondays and tomorrow is our third class. I am really looking forward to it. We are a modest sized group, just six of us but the energy and fun makes up for it.

I'm the teacher. Yup, that person who says you have to practice sawing if you want to be good at it, that a file only files in one direction, and to let the tools do the work...you are only there to guide them. I'm the one with all the tips and rules; Wear natural fibers, full shoes only, hair tied back, no scarves (it's winter), start the torch only when it's pointed at the brick, turn it off in the same direction, quench your piece immediately...don't stop to stare at it. I'm also the one who says I'm sorry it didn't work, you'll have to start over...after you pickle it. Oh yes, and have patience; you will get it figured out.

I liken sawing and filing to 'zen moments'...you become one with the tool. I don't actually say that last part although it is important to breath evenly and relax as you work.

The best part is the very first class when students solder for the first time and it works! It's those ah-ha! moments that make teaching satisfying. This year the students made a copper chain bracelet before the end of the class. I took the bracelets home for tumbling and when they were returned each person was delighted at what they had completed. But I'm always impressed with my students, they amaze me as well as themselves when they finish with a project.

Tomorrow will be a challenge! I'm giving everyone a 6"x1" piece of copper or brass to make into a cuff bracelet. The challenge is to finish it before the end of class. They'll learn riveting with wire tubing and wire before they start on the bracelet in case they want to add layers. All sorts of scraps and pre-cut pieces will be provided for them to use. I can't wait to see what happens.

Instead of referring to my class only with words I'll introduce them with pictures too (I have their reluctant permission. ;-) )

I am especially enjoying teaching this time around, partly because the sessions were better outlined for the first six weeks so that each week builds on the skills learned the week before. I also love the energy of the students. A mix of personalities and ages makes for some very interesting conversation while they are working!

Every Sunday finds me making up a sample of the project for that week. As I make it I try to look at it through the eyes of someone new to learning it.

I taught the evening classes for the first time last January and this is my sixth class. There are fewer wrinkles in my teaching (if not my brow). I'm more comfortable and I've learned much about teaching groups though I still teach each new set of classes with renewed enthusiasm and to the best of my abilities.

Moral of this story: The secret to teaching is to let your students also teach you.