tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211830662011-11-27T16:14:37.322-08:00The Art of SmithingDay in the life of a Silversmith and Goldsmith.
Creating one of a kind Gold and Silver Objects.
Restoring and Conserving Antique Silver and Objects.Smithingnoreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-65384604010692666672011-10-25T18:52:00.000-07:002011-10-25T18:52:44.650-07:00
What a journey. Completely taken apart to remove dents and then back together. Whew!Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-59459260900575776992011-09-22T22:16:00.000-07:002011-09-22T22:16:42.739-07:00
Just about had it with this project. It has taken so long....I did figure out what was holding in the bakelite. Very old epoxy. I did not know that epoxy was made in the 1940's. I think, I have learned more about bakelite than I really wanted to know. One of the bracelets was very dented and I could not go in with tools. I had to take it completely apart and put back together.
Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-27182857124379265572011-09-22T21:46:00.000-07:002011-09-22T21:46:21.039-07:00
My website in QR Code. I love this new way of translating. A Smart phone can read this and you go directly to my website.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-87663931286000065882011-05-10T21:39:00.000-07:002011-05-10T21:39:15.159-07:00How to solder cracks in antique pitcher
Sometimes when you align cracks, they pop into place. What a nice sound! Otherwise it is easing them inside and then going outside. On this Pitcher, I am going to use easy hard solder, for 2 reasons, it is coin silver, and will crack again easily if a low melting soft solder is used, and it is an important piece(important in the antique world means expensive) If the metal is smooth, you can useSmithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-14254928119515157322011-01-06T21:42:00.000-08:002011-01-06T21:42:30.028-08:00Duck Tape is your friend
When I work on antique silver, I protect it with duck tape. I use leather on my bench pen to protect the surface of the antique. I have found over the years that no matter how steady or how sure I am of my hands, they will slip. So I keep my mistakes to a minimum. Did I say mistakes?Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-23671983832547175852011-01-02T16:23:00.000-08:002011-01-02T16:26:07.327-08:00GuardianI restored a sculpture for a family, who named it "guardian." While it was in my studio, I understood why it was named guardian and why it was part of their family.
I decided to make a sculpture with the same feel.
My guardian stands about 40 inches high and is about 8 inches wide made of Slate,Plexiglas, Brass, rutilated quartz.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-76666859100866028782011-01-02T16:13:00.000-08:002011-01-02T16:13:17.125-08:00Armor at HomeArmor finally at home.Took months to arrange for the new floors, and the corner for the Steel Man. His final finish was Renaissance Wax.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-4317333203480709042010-09-18T22:24:00.000-07:002011-09-22T22:24:01.925-07:00Mystery Solved
I found residue of investment. I believe they used investment to protect the bakelite. Filling with investment letting solidify and then soldering with hard solder, then putting into water to dissolve investment, so bracelet remains hollow and light weight. That is my plan now for repairs. Will let you know if it works.
NO! this is the wrong way, continue on to other post to show how it is Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-51309951761980088862010-09-18T22:18:00.000-07:002010-09-18T22:18:41.071-07:00Rare Bracelet Ballesteros BraceletDid you ever wonder how these were made?
The next picture will show. The real mystery was how they used hard solder to set Bakelite(a synthetic resin). I found out this week.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-74488784159847363802010-06-13T14:39:00.000-07:002010-06-13T14:39:32.132-07:00This an example of Paul De Lamerie. and a very good reason to keep lead out of the studio if possible.(and ofcouse for your own health) To me it is interesting how silver seems to be softer over time. I have a theory, the more a silver object is handled by human hands the softer it becomes. When you have a museum quality object to work upon, it is best to do the least amount of work on it as Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1461818828625006702010-06-13T14:25:00.000-07:002010-06-13T14:25:20.057-07:00Assortment of gloves for work, I use for polishing, bench work, hammer work, repairing antique pieces with lead. Which brings up the subject of lead. Lead work must be kept separate from other work, especially gold and silver. I have different soldering blocks for lead filled pieces and for the gold work, and for the silver work. I keep everything separate, including files and soldering tools. I Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-90454717339078717592010-05-18T20:49:00.000-07:002010-05-18T20:49:59.498-07:00Here are more examples of the tools.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-9907378742990262742010-05-18T20:47:00.000-07:002010-05-18T20:47:52.315-07:00Here is an idea, that I wish I had come up with along time ago. I use the dapping tools for removing dents in vessels. I turned brass stock on lathe and tapped for insert screws to hold dapping tools in place. I made each end the exact diameter of the stock of the dapping tools. This is a way to make a tool that will go into very deep vessels. I also use the tools for special curves in my Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-8906886958820762022009-12-13T20:07:00.000-08:002009-12-15T20:30:31.323-08:00OK, here it is restored. The tea service that went through two walls in a tornado.The tray turned out well. I forgot to take a picture before I sent off to the owner.The teapot was the hardest, because of the spout.How did I do it? Annealing and burnishing over and over. I also made some new tools that fit exactly the curves of the pots.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-68349166008922295822009-11-19T19:55:00.000-08:002009-12-16T17:02:11.752-08:00This has to be the most unusual job I have had so far. This is a tea service that survived a tornado. It and its owner flew through the wall of the dining room and then through the wall of the next house. It and its owner both survived!Will show picture of restored pieces in December.I have it close to finished. The teapot is going slower than expected.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-65343571787246421752009-02-17T20:13:00.000-08:002009-02-17T20:22:09.299-08:00This suit of armor is a copy of a suit of armor made in the early 19th century or late 18th.It needed cleaning, dent removal and new small parts. Not an easy task but interesting project.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-11923028754263811422009-02-17T20:10:00.000-08:002009-02-17T20:13:29.562-08:00Who would have thought that there were pipes with sterling silver to be repaired.Well there are. These are repaired now.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-70848728260933227362008-08-28T00:15:00.000-07:002008-08-28T00:19:35.345-07:00My friend Jean came by and took pictures for the article that will be in Silver Magazine. This one is me raising on my steel stakes.Raising is a technique of hammering that creates form.I am working on a sculptural form that has no function. First time... I have made something in Silver that has no function.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-24838338086142926012008-08-28T00:10:00.000-07:002008-08-28T00:27:10.965-07:00My 1951 Packard slowly sinking into the earth. I rode this around when I was 18 on the back roads of West Virginia.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-54509877238699757432008-08-28T00:07:00.000-07:002008-08-28T00:10:36.340-07:00One of my favorite places in the world, along the South Branch of the Potomac in WV.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-14979281808518537632008-08-27T23:44:00.000-07:002008-08-28T00:07:27.137-07:00Sterling Silver Peach Box commissioned this last month. Eating the model for the silver peach was delicious. Perfect time for the peaches in California.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-22576802611651205422007-02-28T18:57:00.000-08:002007-02-28T19:03:51.716-08:00The side of an old building in Emeryville. The varations of this wall remind me of a work of Art. But it is only a building that has been repaired over and over and soon will come down to make way for more Condos in Emeryville.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-70680984701494604582007-02-28T18:55:00.000-08:002007-07-21T18:04:03.367-07:00Presentation Bowl for Toby Rose finished end of August 2006Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-42605655324382230372007-02-28T18:53:00.000-08:002007-02-28T18:55:16.730-08:00Rhinos dance before they are soldered into place for Presentation Bowl.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-57207600592728199192007-02-28T18:28:00.000-08:002007-02-28T18:41:03.347-08:00Paul Revere's work has visited my studio two times. I was surprised to learn may years ago that Paul Revere could not make a living as a Silversmith. He supplemented his income with installing copper roofing. I think of the infamous picture of him holding the silver teapot and his engraver close by, that is how I saw him. Now I imagine him a hardworking roofer as well as a Smith.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1143907345806297812006-04-01T07:40:00.000-08:002006-04-01T08:57:16.120-08:00Inside of Old Sheffield Plate, is the old pitch, the metal rod, and alot of lead solder.A steel plate covers the bottom, this is removed by heating carefully and removing lead solder. It usually pops out when the heat is just hot enough for the pitch to almost explode and the lead melts. This is a dirty job, so you want strong venting.I am assuming when these were made the Smiths did not know Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1141550177040827232006-03-05T00:50:00.000-08:002006-03-05T01:16:17.083-08:00This was a puzzle. Why would The Kalo Shop allow this out of the shop when it is so very crooked?Must have made it past the keen eyes of the Master Smith.Then over time someone tried to straighten it by pushing the base and in doing so pushed the center of the bowl up.As you can see the ring under the engraving. I use a mushroom stake with a thin layer of plastic sheeting to push out by hand the Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1141015664088267142006-02-26T20:43:00.000-08:002006-02-26T20:47:44.116-08:00Many years ago I designed this letter opener during the beginning of spring.Here is what I saw and how I came to the design.This became a limited edition that sells at Japanesque in S.F. I will be making the last of this edition this year.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1139800237539988412006-02-12T18:59:00.000-08:002006-02-12T19:10:37.563-08:00This week has been interesting. It seems work comes in waves. Right now I am inundated with work.Old Sheffied Plate Candelabra to restore. And a Pitcher that was presented to a Captain of a Ship that went down at the Cape.The whole story will be published soon. The Pitcher was found in Florida. I will take a picture for the blog.And a bunch more stuff to clean and restore. I am being taken from Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1138765648124495332006-01-31T19:20:00.000-08:002006-01-31T19:47:28.163-08:00The beginning of the week, with all the broken pieces. I gave the candelabra a strengthening bar inside.It broke at the weakest point. So made strong with a large brass rod inside.Removed all of the old lead solder and soldered with stay-brite.Stay-brite has become my favorite for these old silver plated lead and copper internal parts.I prefer it to any tin solder that my contemporaries use.I doSmithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1138503940432228982006-01-28T18:59:00.000-08:002006-01-28T19:35:28.220-08:00Farmers market on this Saturday in Berkley.The best bread, Morell's bread, my favorite is the sesame loaves. The baker uses a brick oven and all organic ingredients. Completely Handcrafted. Which is rare today. You can taste the special care put into the bread.AndSpring has started in Emeryville near the tracks.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1138328337184814042006-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:002006-01-26T18:18:57.200-08:00Sea meets sky.38 inches by 80 inchesHung in the studio.Cleaned up the studio.Could not seem to get anything of substance done today.But did paint. And filed some on the base of the new silver sculpture.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1138243270817167542006-01-25T18:21:00.000-08:002006-01-26T08:00:28.686-08:00In Sonoma visiting with Janine and her dogs.Viewed the new house plans for the remodel of "space, flow, light."I showed my new silver sculpture which we tried to name. So far not successful at naming. Lunch at Della Santina on the Square. Janine tried the rabbit for the first time. I was not as adventurous.The sky returning home was incredible. Grey lights and shadows.Link to Janines WebsiteSmithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1138143008437639872006-01-24T14:48:00.000-08:002006-01-24T14:50:08.450-08:00This morning light in the studio played across one of my painting.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1137896862850687452006-01-21T18:14:00.000-08:002006-01-26T08:03:23.703-08:00Today was an adventure selling in the antique world.Worked at Argentumwww.argentum-theleopard.comselling today.Met some interesting people from all over the map who were visiting SF Ca.Sold an Egg Set to a couple from Boston.Now what is an Sterling Silver Egg Set?It is four cups for soft boiled eggs with four spoons and a small bowl for who knows..The whole thing has structured silver design thatSmithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1137809024040013622006-01-20T17:56:00.000-08:002006-01-20T18:03:44.053-08:00Today was a day off in the Napa Valley.Spring is beginning to show.Lots of Green from the rain.Visited the hotspring in Calastoga for my Hammering Arm.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1137723233250475172006-01-19T18:08:00.000-08:002006-01-19T18:13:53.250-08:00The bracelet was made when I had a migraine. I could not hammer hard or loud or my head would explode.I turned one small light on in the studio and sat focused on each small blow of the hammer.The marks began to take on a motion and I began to follow the dance of the tap, tap , tap.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1137688071161484762006-01-19T08:27:00.000-08:002006-01-19T08:27:51.160-08:00Its a sunny day at the studio.Customer to pick up Coffee Pot and two spoons.Restored last week.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21183066.post-1137650961597278512006-01-18T22:07:00.000-08:002006-01-19T18:19:31.023-08:00The first post and now more to come.All about the day in the life of a metalsmith.Smithingnoreply@blogger.com0