No, it is not a reference to cheese, but the tempering of milled silver. When you are faced with the confusing choice of what type of silver you need for a project, it really isn't as complicated as it sounds. Think of Half-Hard as partially work hardened. Think of Dead-Soft as pre-annealed. I use Dead-Soft in the studio for almost everything because of the beginning cold-forging projects. But I teach annealing as a first step to any project in beginning courses to establish a habit. The thing is, most everything I do eventually gets touched by a flame so stocking different tempers is more of an inventory nightmare for a small studio when it isn't that critical. Here are the times I think it matters...

Half-Hard
� Jump rings that are not going to be soldered...you want these to be work-hardened so they don't spread under tension. Personally I would rather have a fully soldered jump-ring, but in the rare occasion it isn't possible, go with half-hard (or just whack it a few times;-)
� Tubing components in hinges or other things that never see flame.

Dead-Soft
� Low dome is nice because it is easy to form without ever using a flame (unless you are soldering). A simple bracelet can be created without any firescale. Just cut, file, form, and polish.

But where is the fun in that? The fun is in the fire, don't you think?

so...everything else;-)

Next workshop: August 11 & 12 Wed, Thurs, 10:30 am- 1:30pm.
Handcraft your own silver jewelry while learning the basics of silver fabrication techniques. Skills learned include the use of an acetylene torch, soldering, sawing, forging, and fusion. Create 3 pieces of finished silver jewelry of your own design. This workshop makes you eligible for open studio time.
Materials fee $25.

Discover Silversmithing 2
Next workshop: August 18 & 19  Wed, Thurs, 10:30 am- 1:30pm.
Learn more advanced techniques in silver surface texturing and bezel setting gemstones with more creative freedom in this follow-up workshop. Good jewelry composition will be explored. Must have completed Discover Silversmithing I, or a Silver Saturday. This workshop makes you eligible for open studio time.
Materials fee $25.

Silver Saturdays:
Next Saturday Workshop: Organic Things
August 7, 10:30-4:30
Create 3 pieces of silver jewelry while learning the basics of silversmithing fabrication. Learn to use an acetylene torch, soldering, forging and fusion. Demo incorporates organic found objects like wood or beach glass. Bring a bag lunch & your creativity! This workshop makes you eligible for open studio time. Materials fee $25.

Dina Vatcha, Blair Anderson, and Joan Danoff at the opening of, "The Silver Speaks; Stories in Wearable Art."

Haitian Shorts; The Jewelry Machine. Just one of the titles from the  show
The Silver Speaks; Stories in Wearable Art. New works by Blair Anderson.  July 3-Aug 1 at the Glen Echo Popcorn Gallery.Now Showing

 

Word-of-the-Month
Bail
The loop on a pendant that a chain or cord hangs from.
read more terms...

This month's "new tool" is a neck mandrel. Just like a bangle or bracelet mandrel, the neck mandrel allows you to shape and forge around a steel neck. Great for creating collars. It is also great for testing how successfully a piece is going to hang without trying it on and looking into a mirror.

Blair Anderson is an artist in residence at Glen Echo Park, MD.
read more...