January 17, 2002: A ring from my first silversmithing lesson.

Background: Thus far, I have used regular plumbing solder for solder joints in my sculptures. Sure, it works, but I don't like using it. Typically my sculptures only have one well-hidden soldered joint anyway -- the join of the 3 crossed wires that serve as legs for the insect. Even though the joint is not really seen, I'd rather learn how to use true silver and gold solder. It would be a better match for my work and it would bond to the metal much better. Plus, if I knew how to solder silver/gold, I would be happier with the jewelry I plan to continue making (like the dragonfly pin).

So, as part of my quest to make ever-better artwork, I'm taking a silversmithing class online from Don Norris. His website is here: http://www.frii.com/~dnorris/index2.html. As a web designer I have major objections to his site design... BUT, it gets the job done. And, he sent me the first four lessons for free. I was very impressed by his low-tech untraditional approach to soldering, one that seems very effective to me.

So. I'm sending him the check, and taking the online class. I'm very excited about this! There's a discussion group online too, which should help.

Now that my supplies have arrived, I've set up a little soldering studio in my dining room. No more making sculpture over the bathroom sink! Now I can solder on top of a charcoal brick which is on top of a fireproof pad which is on top of a sheet of plywood that protects the table. I also have more safety equipment than before, like a face shield... so, I won't be whacking my eyes with flailing wires or fishhooks anymore. I've been lucky so far; I don't want to push my luck any more than I have to.

I followed the instructions for the first lesson, practiced with silver solder on a scrap piece of sterling. Then, melted the whole thing into a molten blob, so I could observe what it looked like right beforehand. Hopefully this will never happen to a sculpture or piece of jewelry I actually care about! It was a good experience.

I was still overexcited and enthusiastic even after completing the lesson, so I decided to make the little blob of silver into a souvenir. I carefully measured and then soldered on a piece of half-round wire to serve as a ring shank.

Yeah, I know I'm getting way ahead of myself here. I couldn't help it.