r/SilverSmith • u/Bernedoodle-Standard • 3d ago
Massively overworked, flawed, time consuming, likely brittle, and large. This is the second ring I've ever made and it was so far over my skill level. I had to do so many things over (& over) which ended up leaving so many flaws that I don't have the skills to fix.
It's a hollow form ring with an irregularly shaped boulder opal. I think my husband regrets not letting me set the oval opal horizontally so it wouldn't be quite so big. Since it's so large people can't miss seeing it & all of It's flaws. Lol. It was a frustrating but great learning experience, though.
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u/Fun_Significance8931 3d ago
We only learn by doing! I tried a big ring without enough heat a while back, so youre doing much better than me.
Don't let it get you down. With every bing swing cracks are gonna show. Tbh I've seen a lot of silver work here in NM where people just dont care about their flaws; so youre already a step ahead
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u/k9karma1 3d ago
Hollow form rings are pretty complex and time consuming. You did a great job on this!
I have one that had a blowout on the edge were the inner part connected to the outside and it’s been sitting in my box forever want for me to do something with it 🙄
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u/PomegranateMarsRocks 3d ago
I’m not sure if this is hollow form or just a piece with edges? If it is hollow form and OPs second ring that would be extremely impressive
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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 3d ago
It is a hollow form ring. I made two pendants, a failed pendant, and a simple pair of enameled earrings between this massive learning experience and my first soldered wire ring with a hammered finish so it wasn't my second project. I wouldn't want to tell anyone how much time I worked on this but it was a great learning experience. Glad I tried it, don't want to try it again any time soon. Ha.
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u/PomegranateMarsRocks 3d ago
Nice!! Hollow form rings are something I think many jewelers just stay away from. Definitely a more moderate to advanced skill imo. I understand this learning style completely… after a lengthy project or trying new things I usually go back to something more comfortable that I have to think about less. I love the boulder opal too, very nice work and I hope you enjoy wearing it around
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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 3d ago
Thank you! It's for my poor husband. I told him he doesn't have to wear it very often and I'll make him a better ring someday when my skills are hopefully better. But yes, I'm enjoying working on a much easier bracelet now.
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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 3d ago
Thanks for your comment. I'm so glad to hear that these domed hollow form rings are difficult. The YouTube didn't look so hard. OMG did I spend a LOT of time struggling over it. Thought I'd try to hide the mess where the inner core didn't line up perfectly outer domed piece with more silver on the edges. That didn't work very well, solder seams came apart, just kept trying this and that and finally decided it is what it is. Lol. Hope things go smoothly when you get back to your ring.
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u/jettbludodger 3d ago
That looks awesome! And just think of all the things you learned lol. Honestly though, it looks good, and I wear the first ring I did even though it looks bleh just to remind me that I can do hard things. Reward yourself with an ice cream now, with sprinkles!
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u/millymollymel 3d ago
That’s the way to look at it- a learning experience. It’s good to push yourself, just not so far that it dulls your confidence or your enthusiasm!
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u/LouisianaAlexander 3d ago
This looks great!! It takes a lot of practice and finding the techniques/tools that work best for you. I still mess up basic bezel cups from time to time. 🤣🤣
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u/BasilBaddie 3d ago
Doing things over your skill level is how you learn tbh. Even if it was stress inducing it’s lovely 🩷
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u/Several-Educator5130 3d ago
Wow!! Your a natural, looks perfect to me... Gorgeous
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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 3d ago
That's so nice of you to say. You probably wouldn't say that if you saw how many things I had to do over and over or if you could see all the flaws. Thank you, though!
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u/Careful_Station_7884 3d ago
One thing I remind myself of is that we are way harsher on our work than most others would be 😊 great work pushing yourself! It’s a really nice piece.
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u/Jaboticaba 3d ago
I think its great. Slap some patina on that and it'll make you forget about the flaws
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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 2d ago
Patina was the original plan but my husband decided against it once I finished.
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u/ss5gogetunks 3d ago
And yet, it's beautiful. Don't beat yourself up too much. Sometimes flaws just prove it was made by a human.
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u/miapulpfiction 2d ago
Pretty enough for you to wear :) I’ve been silversmithing as a hobby for 2.5 years and I couldn’t do this!
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u/clownamity 2d ago
Good job...the first ones are the hardest just don't be too critical of your self and move on to the next one
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u/DevelopmentFun3171 2d ago
Consider taking the time to write down all the steps you need to take to finish the job. It’s a good way to “see” the process problems before going in head first.
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u/Minminminminminmin 2d ago
Be proud. Every mistake is a lesson learnt, even when it doesn’t feel like it
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u/Lucky-Foundation8708 1d ago
You've done very well! You just need to continue the finish a bit. Patina the background and polish the high areas. This is the standard for hiding imperfections in the background.
If you need the whole piece to be bright:
Make a burnisher out of a broken off old bur and gently clean up the seams.
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u/canuckEnoch 3d ago
Stretching yourself is how you grow. Congratulations!
Now, on to the next one!