nicilaskin — metal tutorials

made this today - gold bypass ring in shape of a guitar I started with a mock up in bronze ( much cheaper ) 20 gauge ( 0.8mm thick ) is what I use i bronze or gold as I have a hard time bending things by hand with those 2 metals 18 gauge ( 1mm thick ) I use for copper and sterling silver as both metals are softer and not as springy I drew the shape out on a piece of label paper make it 3 inches long as you have to "bypass " the ends and anything...

Just playing around with metal I started out with some sketches I always use scratch paper for the initial sketches and when i like the design I will trace the design onto a piece of label paper . label paper has already " glue " added to one side soI do not need to glue my design to sheet metal ( rubber cement works the best if you do not have label paper ) I always end up with a sticky mess if I use the glue I cut out my design and stick it to the sheet metal in...

fresh from the bench spirit bear and garnet I made my own die for pressing out the bears soldered on a bezel cup and added some stars also punched a hole patina to darken the stars polished the bear added jump ring and chain

dainty cross charm with Peridot I love peridots , they are with sapphires and garnets one of my favorite stones . The vibrant green always reminds me of spring and nature and fresh mowed grass . drew on some 18 gauge sterling sheet I used a template made from plastic as I am not so good in drawing straight lines especially if it is so tiny . There are tons of templates out there , sometimes I make my own template out of 20 gauge brass . there is another small pendant i will make later on . cut out...

wedding bands i made   www.nicilaskin.etsy.com I cut 2 different width flat wire stock to length 5mm and 4 mm width stamped the infinity symbol filed the ends flat and formed them so the ends meet flush add flux and solder start heating with a torch quench in water and then clean in pickle solution the black is oxidation that happens during torching after the pickle bath now start forming use a ring mandrel and a nylon hammer first after forming the ring you can use a ball peen hammer to make the dimpled texture , polish the inside I...