Who's going to start us off?

Who does metal smithing and what do you like to make?

I would have to say Metal is my favorite medium to work with. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than turning sheet or wire into something wearable.
I am happy to answer any questions about metal work to anyone who is learning. (not that I am an expert, but it is a passion)

I have just finished a C&G course in silver smithing and we used different mediums and textures, I have got to say sheet and wire metal is my favorite.

That's a great offer, thanks Wolfie!

I've been silversmithing about 7 years now, by no means an expert but also here for guidance if needed. I do love metal bit I have to confess I love to see it complimented with colours via other mediums.

Apart from the glass addiction, metal is my next love. I'm still a bit nervous of soldering and will try to cold connect if I can and I do use a lot of recycled copper.

I've been silversmithing and metalsmithing for only four years. I had to think then how long

I don't like working with Brass, but I do.

I quite like brass, the stuff I have at the mo cuts like butter, it's a joy

I love working with silver, mostly because that's what I like wearing. I wouldn't touch gold even if I could afford it
I love it on it's own and I love putting it next to glass. The two together sit together so well and are just perfect for each other.
Last week I made my first sterling bead caps,just plain smooth shiny ones and I tried them next to Kaye's black glass beads. OMG. Perfect! Pictures coming later when it's a finished piece

Now I can't wait to see them, they sound gorgeous

I love metal working but only been doing it for 18 months. Have never used silver, only copper and brass. Copper's my favourite because of the range of different tones you can get. Love brass too but find it sticky to saw.
Lisa

Now I want to try brass. Love the avatar Lisa

Thanks Cornish!
Lisa

I fell into metal smithing via enamelling. Having to make mounts that could be enamelled led me to a local jewellery making course at our local college. Now I have fallen for the form and love shaping the metal. I just wish I had more time to do it. One thing I did try was plique a jour and made this little cup. It stands about 1 3/4” and took hours and hours to do. Yes it’s made from glass enamels that have to be kiln fired. http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniquejetco/?saved=1

Dave that cup is great. Your jet pendants are making me drool. Stunning work.
I bought a kiln a few months ago wanting to do enamelling. So far the couple of attempts I have tried have been a complete failure. I just ended up with black burnt sugar. So apart from slumping a couple of cabochons of glass, it is just sitting in my studio ( aka the garden shed) all forlorn. I also bought a block of Prometheus bronze clay and that is just sitting looking at me unused. I haven't had the courage to unwrap it since someone on another forum told me it will make a mess inside my nice clean kiln.
One day I am hoping to be rich enough to take an enamelling course at West Dean college.

nan

Nan
I don't know about metal clays having never touched them but I started enamalling by following the instructions in Denise Palmer's book called, would you believe it, Enamelling. Its in the new crafts series published by Lorenze
ISBN 1-85967-618-9. It's easy to follow and leads you from basic tools and techniques to quite advanced work in 25 projects.
Only cost me £9.95 so well worth it.

Dave

Thanks Dave for the book recommendation! Where I am, there is a serious lack of courses but with so many books out there, it's hard to choose just by surfing the net! Will definitely check this one out

No probs Vermillion it did it for me.

Dave