Dear colleagues and friends,
I hope you are well and enjoying the long balmy summer evenings. I certainly am.
I tackle the subject of making structured geometrical jewelry using tubing, cubes, straight lines.
I also incorporate sharp 90° and 45° angles in the design all the while keeping structure and balance.
Here are a few examples.
A few geometric jewelry designs of mine.
Working with geometry and angles presents it's own challenges. Your work has to be accurate.
All straight lines and angles must be exact and stay true when viewed from the front, top and sides.
The eye will immediately be drawn to any line that does not follow the intended geometry.
To achieve those straight parallel and 45 degree angles require careful sawing and soldering using the least amount of solder needed.
These need practice and patience.
One thing I have learnt, is stop when one component is out of alignment.
If at all possible, un-solder that section and file the excess solder off and re-align.
Binding wire, two third arms and Plaster of Paris are some of the things I use to align two pieces exactly before soldering.
And speaking of Plaster of Paris, an up coming tutorial will show that soldering technique thoroughly.
Geometric jewelry designs are excellent projects to tackle for eye and soldering training.
I have developed a few tutorials along those lines.
This Bar Ring has an elongated emerald cut Tourmaline that is set across the finger. With sharp angles you get to practice accurate workmanship.
Gemstone Bar Ring Tutorial - US$25
This hollow bangle has a hinge and catch system. Accurate soldering and filing is important when working with right angles and squares.
Making Square Bangle - US$35
I've specifically designed this tube & channel cutting jig for jewelry making purposes.
It is precise, and can be used on wire, tubes, flat and channel stock with lighter gauges and smaller diameters often used when making jewelry.
This easy to use miter-cutting jig comes with angles of 45° and 90°. The jig is made for cutting tubing and wire up to 8mm. U-channel and flat plate up to 7mm wide can also be cut.
The adjustable stop is interchangeable on both the 45° and 90° sides and locked in position by a screw. Lengths of up to 60 mm can be measured by the stop.
I hope you enjoy working on these new challenges.
Remember to take time out from the bench.
A fresh mind and eye open up to new ideas.
There are so many design inspirations in every day life.
My warmest regards,
Hans Meevis
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