I start off by sketching to try to get the idea in my head down on paper! Sometimes this goes well, sometimes it doesn't! Sometimes an idea will be abandoned at this stage, sometimes its worth continuing. After a few trials and errors, these are my sketches of the hare; keeping it nice and simple so as it works scaled down.
I photocopied the design twice, one to pierce out the hare and one to pierce out the background. I always keep my original in tact for future pieces. I glue the paper to the silver ready for cutting out.
In this photo I am using the jewellers piercing saw to cut out the hare from sheet silver.
Next, I am using a steel form to shape the silver on, using a planishing hammer. This is to dome the oval background. I also shaped the hare in the same way. (Both need to be annealed first to soften the silver.)
After tidying edges with a file and smoothing surfaces with emery paper, its time for soldering the two together....
...and cleaning it in the pickle.
After soldering the bail and cleaning up I added a patination using liver of sulphur to add contrast. A final clean up and its finished! I took some initial photos whilst walking our dog in the local woodland. Planning a range...maybe a fox and an owl...?
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