I enjoyed my first silversmithing class last night! We met at the Torpedo Factory's new(ish) Madison Street Annex, which is located several blocks north of Old Town. The silver studio is sweet: 15-20 separate stations with bench pins, lights, and electrical outlets all arranged along the outside wall. In an adjacent room there are four soldering stations with torches and "pickle" pots. The lighting is bright and makes working on small pieces really easy. For our first project we took some pre-cut square silver wire and formed it into a ring. Then we learned how to light a torch and solder the two ends of the wire together. Afterwards we each got rawhide mallets and whacked away at the wire ring until it was perfectly round and flat. I don't have pictures yet of my first attempt, but hopefully they will be coming shortly!

What I liked most about our instructor was that he really encouraged the artistic process as well as the technical one. This week we are supposed to be out collecting examples and inspirations for pieces that we want to make in the class, as well as keeping a small sketchbook for ideas. I know only too well the joys of the "sketchbook of ideas," so I'm liking this guy so far. ;)

Understandably, my obsession for the day is jewelry websites. Here are a few I've been touring through:

Ganoksin
Church House Jewellery
Smithsonian Craft Show - April 27-27, 2003
Torpedo Factory Jewelry Galleries (or the main site)

Have fun! :)