Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Working with my hands [without yarn!]

It's really nice to have a new creative outlet that's not knitting-based. [When you make your living from your favorite hobby, it can get a little, um, inbred around here.]

So I'm taking an intro course in silversmithing. We cut the bands for our rings last night after fumbling over installing saw blades, learning how to read the alethiometer [or whatever you call that measury thing that jewelers use], messing about with annealing and soldering. I like playing with the propane/oxygen torch. Fire good.

We get to build a basic ring first, then create a bezel and set a cabochon on the ring [like this one that another student did]. And we get to do another project of our choosing as well. So I've got to get trolling the web for ideas.

Great. Just what this shopaholic needs - an excuse to obsessively browse Etsy.
Our teacher is Sarah Wan -- take a peek at her work. Totally inspiring!

Can you see how big I'm smiling? This is great fun.

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And big Michigan news...are you within driving distance of Lansing, MI? Read on!

As part of its September issue, Figure Magazine (plus-sized grooviness) is conducting a knitting roundtable. Guest star speaker: Jillian Moreno, co-author of Big Girl Knits!

We're looking for women who are willing to talk about being plus-sized and knitting & appear in the magazine. We just need two more. It'll be a really cool experience!

It's going to happen May 22 (Tuesday) from 9am-Noon at Threadbear Fiberarts in Lansing, MI.

If you are interested, please contact Lindsay Wurst: Lindsay.Wurst@meredith.com

p.s. No one is getting paid & all must provide their own transportation.

Labels:

posted by amy [Knitty] @ 11:50 AM 12 comments

Comments:
i'm very jealous. that is something i could definitely get into...they make it all look so easy and fun and accessible! and i love sarah wan's stuff. amazing...thanks for the links and for telling us about it all! :o)
# posted by Blogger Elaine : 1:00 PM, May 16, 2007
 
I took a small scale metalsmithing class and had the same joy of doing something fun and great but something very different from knitting.

If you like other hand friendly crafts I'd highly recommend glasswork too. Lots of tools and lots of ways to play with color. Kind of like knitting but more dangerous!
# posted by Blogger Aponia : 1:24 PM, May 16, 2007
 
I made the mistake of browsing around the devil's workshop site yesterday. I wanna play with torches and metal too! Sigh.

But darling, I'm pretty sure the jewellers toy isn't an alethiometer.
# posted by Anonymous Rachel H : 1:26 PM, May 16, 2007
 
I'm so jealous! When I was in high school (way back!) took some silversmithing courses. I made rings, earrings and other pieces that I still have and love. I learned to set stones and solder, polish, cut etc. I miss it!

You're gonna love it!
# posted by Blogger Javajem : 3:21 PM, May 16, 2007
 
RAWK. I'm looking forward to seeing the kinds of trouble you get yourself into with this new hobby!
# posted by Blogger Emma : 4:45 PM, May 16, 2007
 
I used to do a bit of metalworking. It's a lot of fun.

I would be willing to be in the magazeine, if we don't have to be local. You can email me at abigailvr AT livejournal DOT com
# posted by Blogger Abigail : 5:28 PM, May 16, 2007
 
Speaking of curvy chicks, I just bought Big Girl Knits and I was wondering if there was an errata page. I can't seem to find one by googling Big Girl Knits errata and the Biggirlknits.com is some weird website...Thanks in advance for any info!

Kristina
# posted by Anonymous Kristina : 5:57 PM, May 16, 2007
 
That looks like so much fun. However, my stash would remain a stash and the garden would suffer if I took up a new hobby at this point. :(
I look forward to you posting a looksy of what you create in this class.
# posted by Blogger ~S : 6:44 PM, May 16, 2007
 
That looks like so much fun! I took a couple jewlery classes in high school (I took every single 3-D art class they offered, I even did the independant study one twice) I thoroughly enjoyed it. Torches and melting metal and molds... so fun!
# posted by Blogger Sunidesus : 7:02 PM, May 16, 2007
 
My mom took some metal smithing classes form 5-7 years ago. She made me a ring for my 10th birthday. I still have it, of course, but it's kinda small...I think it fits my pinky now.
# posted by Blogger Caroline : 8:34 PM, May 16, 2007
 
I like playing with the propane/oxygen torch. Fire good.


I agree. It's wonderful for melting glass, too. : )
# posted by Blogger Nancy-Louise : 9:07 AM, May 18, 2007
 
My first silversmithing project was a bezel-set cabochon ring, too. Making jewelry is every bit as addictive as knitting ... but sadly the supplies can be even more expensive. My kids don't really need a college education, do they?
Have fun with the silver!
# posted by Blogger Suzanne : 9:42 AM, May 22, 2007
 
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