Jewelry workshop week 1

Hey guys! This is my second post this week and it is about my first lesson in the jewelry workshop. I was really looking forward to starting this workshop as I was interested to see how the jewelry we wear is made and it seemed like a exiting process. 

At the beginning of the workshop we were shown the machines that we would be using and told how to use them with the health and safety information. The health and safety required us to wear goggles on certain machines, wear gloves when using the acids and be aware of the people around us. We were also told about the tools we would be using during the workshop. You can see a picture of the tools we had to use below.

  

Picture of tools

We were also shown examples of the processes we would be learning. These processes included etching, embossing, cold enameling, inlaying and piercing out. This week however we only did etching, embossing and piercing out because we had to produce 2 to 3 examples of each one. The piercing out I have not managed to do yet so that will be on next weeks blog.

Examples of processes

The first process I did was etching. To start the process of etching you first need to get your metal plate made of copper, brass or silver. Then you need to clean the metal with an abrasive cleaner and put tape on the back of the metal so it doesn't wear away. After that you paint your design on with stop out varnish or put tape on and cut out the design. Then put the plate into ferric chloride and wait for it to bite, after that take it out and polish it and there is your finished plate. Below is my own attempt at etching and I think it went quite well.

Etching

The second process I have learnt this week is embossing. Embossing is where you make raised or sunken designs on metal plates. To do this you get a copper or brass plate and heat it until it turns red, after that you put it in water to cool it down and it becomes squishy and flexible. Then get a material or design to press into the metal and place it on top of the plate. After that you put the plate through rollers and it press the design into the plate. Finally you put it in sulfuric acid to clean it and there you have it your design is complete. I particularly like this process because there are lots of different patterns and designs you can press into the plate. The picture below shows 3 of my own attempts at embossing and I think they look great if I do say so myself. 

Embossing 

Altogether I had a amazing time in the workshop this week and I think the plates I produced in the lesson are awesome.  This is the end of my post and I hoped you liked reading about my jewelry workshop. Next weeks post will be about the other processes that I am going to learn. Bye :)