Die Forming with Hydraulic Press

February 5th, 2010 WendyLee

The other night I did a workshop with Sarah Whitlock on Hydraulic press die forming. I have had my hydraulic press sitting in my studio for way to long and thought it was about time that I learnt how to use it properly. The reason I chose to do my workshop with Sarah is that she uses a Hydraulic press that she purchased from the hardware shop as opposed to the Jewellers Presses on the market such as the Bonny Doon.

I have a 12 tonne hydraulic press that you can find in most hardware shops.

I purchased my Urethane pads from Apecs in Melbourne. PLease note you do not have to use Urethane, you can use hard rubber and a number of other materials.

Copper Sheet which had been hammered to give a textured finsh and then formed using a square perspex die.

Brass Sheet die formed.

The images below are some samples of some playing that I did when I got home. I had so many ideas running through my head that I grabbed any sheet metal samples I had lying around the studio.

Reticulated Shibuichi die Formed.

Roller Printed Brass Sheet Die Formed and patinaed

Roller printed sterling Silver die formed. You will see with this one that the sheet was a little bit to short on one side. It is still ok to use though. I guess if it was a few mm shorter it would have slipped into the die.

OOPS, This what happens when you apply to much pressure. It basically cuts the shape out. This was also the thinnest sheet metal that I used. It was 0.3mm Shibuichi. I need to keep in mind that thinner metals do not recquire as much pressure. LOL

This is a great technique which has alot of possibilities that I intend to explore and use in my work down the track.

If you would like to do some more reading on this technique then I suggest you grab the following book which covers alot of information.
“Hydraulic Die forming for Metalsmths and Jewellers – Susan Kingsley”

Posted in Techniques | No Comments »

Broom Casting

January 16th, 2010 WendyLee

Over the Christmas holidays I had compiled a list of things that I wanted to try as far Jewellery making was concerned.
One of the things on the list was Broom Casting/straw casting. This is a process that has intrigued me as I had seen some really great pieces made and some not so great ones.

Here is a link to a great tutorial online. Broom Casting

I had a bit of trouble tying to find a broom that was made of natural material and not of plastic. I eventually found a Millet Broom at Bunnings for about $7 AUD. Which I thought was a pretty good price.

Here are few pictures of my results.

This one is my favourite piece. It could be called an error as the silver wasn’t hot enough to run right into the broom and pooled more on top of it instead. But I really like the effect it reminds me off the lost city of Atlantis.

Posted in Techniques | No Comments »

Metalworking 101 for Beaders – Candie Cooper

January 4th, 2010 WendyLee

I have taught Metalworking for Beaders at the Australian Bead and Gem shows for many years. When I saw this book in Dymocks recently I thought it was brilliant.

It is an ideal book for those wanting to go to the next step with there beading and learn basic metalwork Techniques without the complication.

The book has 29 tutorials in it to start you out with the basics and slowly work up from there.

It is broken down into 4 sections
*Metals
*Tools and Materials
*Basic Metalworking Techniques
*Jewelry (tutorials)

Book is Softcover
128 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-60059-332-1

If you are looking for advanced techniques this is NOT the book for you. It is a beginner entry level book into Metalwork.

Posted in Book Reviews | No Comments »

Gaffa Glass Cabochons

December 30th, 2009 WendyLee

I have been playing with the new Gaffa Glass Chalcedony to see if I can some interesting reactions with the glass fusing it as opposed to lampworking with it.

The results were interesting and I got some great colour reactions with the glass. The ones pictured above are my my favourite images and cabochons from the experiments I did.

Posted in Cabochons, Glass | No Comments »

Fused Glass Pendants

December 29th, 2009 WendyLee

I have been playing with the glass again over the break and have made this dimensional art glass pendant. I made pendants of this style a few years ago when I was adding the the surface orbs to the dichroic glass pendants as accents. I thought that I would play with using all art glass to see if the effect was just as interesting.

Posted in Etsy Store, Glass, New Work | No Comments »

Embroidered Jewellery – Shirley Anne Sherris

December 20th, 2009 WendyLee

This is a great book that is full of wonderful ideas on combining Embroidery and Sewing with your beading skills.

Book is broken up into the following chapters.
*Materials
*Designing and sizing
*Surface Background
*Surface Decoration
*Joining Techniques
*Chains and Fastening
*Exploring other materials

If you already do alot of bead embroidery then this book will take your work to the next level and give you a whole range of possibilities and ideas you had not considered.

Hardcover
120 Pages
ISBN: 9781906388119

Posted in Book Reviews | No Comments »

JMGA – Take Away Exhibition

November 20th, 2009 WendyLee

This is a pair of cufflinks that is part of a series of jewellery I created for the JMGA – Take Away Exhibition.

Details of the exhibition can be found on the JMGA Website : JMGA NSW

The series I created is made up of Cufflinks, Pendants and Rings. Handcrafted out of sterling Silver, resin and Watch parts.

Exhibitin will be held at “Breathing Colours” – Balmain.

Posted in Exhibitions, Shows | No Comments »

Spiral Interchangeable Pendants

October 29th, 2009 WendyLee

New Interchangeable Pendants have been Listed in my Etsy Store : Wendy Lee

Spiral pendants are made of sterling silver and are interchangaeable with Donut shaped pendants/beads.

Posted in Etsy Store, New Work | No Comments »

Reversible Sterling Silver Pendants

September 2nd, 2009 WendyLee

Sterling silver reversible pendants. Can be worn either side dependning on your mood, outfit or the time of day.

Delicate/Floral Pendant
Fine Lines/Bold Lines Pendant
Ordered/Chaos Pendant

Pendant are available in my Etsy Store : WendyLee

I am happy to customise pendants with different pattern combinations.

Posted in Etsy Store, New Work | No Comments »

Under the Sea in an ……

August 29th, 2009 WendyLee

 

Under The Sea Pendant

Pendant inpsired by the lyrics to the following Beatles Song.

Under The Sea

I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden in the shade
He’d let us in, knows where we’ve been
In his octopus’s garden in the shade
I’d ask my friends to come and see
In an octopus’s garden with me
I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden in the shade

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus’s garden near a cave
We would sing and dance around
because we know we can’t be found
I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they’re happy and they’re safe
We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden with you
in an octopus’s garden with you
in an octopus’s garden with you

 

Posted in New Work | No Comments »

« Previous Entries