This tutorial teaches in detail and easy to follow steps and shows you:
- - Fusing Metal Explained
- - Making Rings and a Pendant
- - Discuss setting og gemstones in fused metal
- This tutorial can be made in a standard smithing workshop. You will need:
- - Metal : silver or gold or other
- - Gemstones optional
In addition you will also receive a free Rotary Burnishing Tools Tutorial showing you how to make your own rotary burnishers which could be of use when fusing metal.
Fusing metal gives textures and spontaneous form that cannot be created in any other way. The texture of fused metal is often referred to the molten texture or organic looking metal texture. With some experience a large measure of control can be exercised making the end result anything but random.
I regard this skill as another great technique in my toolbox, to achieve a desired look and feel particularly suited to free-form gemstones or when the design requires a natural organic feel.
Basically, when metal is fused using a small hot flame, the top outer surface of the metal melts and the inner section remains solid. When the flame is removed quickly, the metal immediately "freezes" and contracts forming valleys and ridges.
This Making Fused Jewelry Tutorial is aimed at all levels of metalsmithing with the basic bench tool set-up.
Once you've become familiar with the fusing metal technique you will have opened a completely new avenue to expand your skill range.
The fused technique is another tool that gives you freedom and creativity in your designs.
Like this pendant where the fused organic gold mirrors the opal fire
Janet writes: "After a lot of experimentation and several destroyed bezels, I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. Thought you might like to see some rings I just made with fused seam and for lack of better description, flame distressed 18K gold bezels."
Janet this is not easy to do. You've really mastered flame control. That is excellent fused work!
