Chatty Metalsmiths January Thread

[#1]

Here's the list. Sadly, I took Barney off (made me cry). He's the only one I definitely know won't be coming.

Abellablue – Jessica
Aheron designs- Anna
AlexSharDesigns – Gaynor
Annasjewelry – Anna
Artdi - Diana
Atlcopperworks - Karina
AutumnLeavesJewelry - Care
Bagsnstuff - Dianna
BarronDesign – Deborah
BeadsintheBelfry- Nina
BeatrizFortes - Beatriz
Bellabijoujewellery – Jaime
Bellabijoutoo – Jaime
BDDesigns - Christen
Bijoutery - Jennifer
Blackmarkettrades- Angus
Bowersstudio. - Michele
Brightstar109 – Claire
Brandianndesigns – Brandi
Cabbingrough - LauraH
CGWhitfield. - CG
Corybethy. - Cory
chrissilynn2. – Chrissi
DiemDesignsJewelry - Sarah Jo
DonnaOdesigns. – Donna
Doxollodesigns - Janice
Duffydesigns. – Duffy
Elementaldesigns - Denise
Erga. - Erga
Evelynjewelry – Evelyn
Evittscreekarts - Lois
fix8ion – Tamara
ForrestConcepts - Sarah Jo
Foxcabochons.- Rod
Gemheaven. – Jo
Getyourbone - Steve
Ggestalt. – Karin
GiftedDesigns – Sha (Shannon)
Goldenwatercreations - Jeanne
Greenlivingsoap – Esme
Harnessedearth _ Tom
HartleyStudio - Ann
HightowerBotanicals – Julee
HRBeaDesign. – Heather
Ikaros – Carl
Indigoflameworks - Kelly
jamauerer- Julie
JaneaPauline- Janea
JaneDeaux. – Gabby
Janedeauxdeluxe - Gabby
JazJewels - Judy
JelliesJewelry - Jack
Jewelstreet. – Aimee
johnsendelbach - John
KHMetalwork. – Karen
Kimberlybelldesigns - Kim
KimVGlass.- Kim
kitandcaboodleshop - Gayle
kitkingdesigns. - Kit
KriksSilver. – Kristie
lahainalynnjones - Lynn
LauraRoberson- Laura
LeaderofMen - Alex
Litapsilverj - Lita
Lsueszabo - Sue
Luxedesignworkshop – Peg
Marcus Berkner Jewelry - Marcus
Maythenwolfbane - Nicole
MetalLuxe. – Peg
Metalsmitten – Jess
MieleMelograno – Liz
mmemagpie- Andrea
ModernMeetsWhimsy – Courtney
Monnda - Monnda
MordentDesign.- Mike
NovaofSweden – Tess
Nrjewelerydesign – Nikki
Phantasteria. – Karin
Plunderjewelry – Lindsay
Ppennee - pennee
purplepeony. - Brenda
Redturtle – “Dragon Kitty” or Mrs. Barney
Rockaholic – Peggy
SandyToesJewelry – Lisa
SarahinFlorida – Sarah
ScarletRobin - Jen
Scrapmetal - Addie
Scrollworkdesigns. - Clarity
SilverBlueberry. - Esmeralda
SilverShedStudio – Casey
SilverMadeStudio – Teresa
Sonyarasi. - Sonya
StoneTemple - Mark
StoneyCharms. – Chris
Stonz. - Susan
TammysTreasureChest – Tammy
TheFrogsPond - Brandy
TheSilverLakeStudio – Sherry
theuglydogranch - Karen
ThirteenGems – Melissa
Tinkertown– Sue
Topshelflapidary- Henrik
TreeFrogJewelry – Sheryl
TrystingTreeFarm -Laura
TSmithDesigns – Teresa
TwistedSisterArts - Jill
TwoSilverMoons.– Birgit
yenjewelry - Nicole
2BellesBeads – Crystal
2Trickpony - Rachel

[StoneTemple]

see if this link works
http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive/201008/msg01009.htm
Peter is the man!

[StoneTemple]

Also a neat trick if you're soldering on copper, you can plate your silver solder seams with copper by placing the item in some well used pickle (blue colored) with some iron or steel.
Or so I've heard, makes sense to me.

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Mark. That's just what I did and I can attest to the fact that it works. I thought the plating had to do with current and so thought it might be okay after removing the wire. I guess I'm going to find out!

[Former_Member]

Yes, I think the danger would be if all the iron, such as filings were not removed. A single solid and intact piece of iron, once removed, should stop the plating reaction. Any iron sulfates in the solution will not create a plating effect, I don't think.

[Former_Member]

Weather is summer-like here. Amy just announced that this is officially a 'Happy Day'. So that means we are going somewhere - both excited and freaked.

Everyone be well.

[cgwhitfield]

Kristie, it will still work as pickle and will still eventually remove firescale. The copper has to get into solution for it to be deposited on the silver, electricity just speeds that process along.

So, there will likely be copper in the solution which will deposit itself on any silver put in. Not a big deal to remove by polishing.

Which also means the copper 'plating' over something is very thin and won't stand up to much wear.

Not an expert on pickle, rarely use it. Sue will be able to explain it I think.

[Former_Member]

I thought I was going to do copper plating for a living at one time, so I stocked up. I now have much more copper sulfate than any one human should be allowed to have.

OK, gone now.

[cgwhitfield]

Mark, that's a good article. I guess back when I used pickle more I let it live too long, until it was super saturated with copper in solution. But it was never a problem to polish off.

Never intentionally tried copper plating with iron in clean pickle, so I probably shouldn't have said it would still have excess copper in it. Oh well.

[kitkingdesigns]

Would y'all take a look at this listing, give me ideas for tags and check the price and photos please. Thanks.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67006412/handmade-turquoise-in-sterling-silver

[lsueszabo]

hi guys- a quick pop in- i'm going out to dinner so i can't stay. i was always taught that once you use pickle for copper plating- you throw it out. i have been taught this be several teachers who know far more than me so i do. if i'm going to copper plate something, i take a small glass jar of my pickle and use that for the plating pickle and then i toss that small amt rather than the whole pot. i think once the copper comes out of solution, it's out and it doesn't go back in. so- the next time you put silver in there it gets plated. the exact chemistry escapes me but i think that is right.

[Former_Member]

I would not risk it...

[cgwhitfield]

Kit, I tried but could find no typos. Aw.

All seems fine to me.

[Former_Member]

We went out to a park, it was beautiful.

I know people who clear out the copper sulfate (blue-green color) and start using as pickle again, and those that toss and start over.

You have not changed the chemical composition of the pickle much, just suspended the copper from the cupric oxides on the surface of your silver in the solution. Remove the copper, same stuff more or less.

The acid in your pickle solution is not 'strong' enough to remove the cuprous oxide (firescale, as opposed to cupric oxide, which is the darker surface tarnish). You need to get to etching strength to remove cuprous oxide from your sterling.

Pickle is really cheap, I usually neutralize the acid, discard and start with new when I get near the saturation point.

[Former_Member]

I also have a lifetime supply of etching solution, so I etch pretty much everything before I apply my antiquing patina (acid black, liver of sulfur, etc).

[cgwhitfield]

Marcus, when I started all I had were three books, and all said to remove firescale with pickle. It will eventually but too slowly for me. Struggled with that for a long time until I gave up on pickle completely except to remove flux from places I couldn't get to easily.

I used to wholesale finished chains, buying in bulk and soldering on the jump rings. Just dipped them in muriatic acid (10% hydrochloric acid) for a few seconds. Worked a charm.

[Former_Member]

It is interesting what we end up using and deciding what we can do without when honing our craft.

Since I use patinas that I would really like to stay on for the customer, I go to draconian lengths to electro or chemically clean before darkening the silver.

I also use silver alloys with anti-oxidants, so I need to strip off anti-oxidants before oxidizing for best results.

[cgwhitfield]

I only ever used LOS in recessed areas that would never get any wear. Good for you for making the effort to make the patina durable. I like the idea of jewellery that can be worn daily and retain it's original appearance. Nothing's forever, but a few months isn't good enough.

[cgwhitfield]

Yeah, a big 'do without' for me is a rolling mill, don't have the time.

[AdobeSol]

Ohhhh nice avatar!

[kitkingdesigns]

Thanks, CG. I always have trouble with pricing.

[StoneTemple]

I'd love to have a rolling mill. Used to use one when I had access, was much fun texturing and making my own sheet from ingots.
Might get one of those cheap ones.

[kitkingdesigns]

Don't do it, Mark! I bought a cheap one and really regret it. I use it but it's a PITA. I have to change out the springs about every 7 or 8 uses 'cause they get scrunched up. So mad at myself for buying it.

[Former_Member]

Well I see all the stone ho's are at the big sale!

[Former_Member]

cg, I usually put a couple of years of 'artificial wear' on things before sending them out. Some of my items start to look 'newer' after some time. That makes me laugh, don't know why.

[StoneTemple]

Thanks for the advise Kit! I always hear "buy the best you can afford" and have never regretted it when I did.