Tuesday 23 August 2016

Fiddle ring

I haven't been to silversmithing class since the beginning of July as we are having a summer break.  I thought I'd get round to showing everyone the pieces I made before we start the next term in September.

I was really pleased that the tutor Lisa had fiddle rings on the schedule.  Mr CA has a fiddle ring (bought, not made) where the band has a groove in the centre and a wire ring fits in the band but can be spun around.  I've always liked the ring and wanted to make one of my own.  The end result is different, but I'm happy with it.


You all know I struggle with taking pictures of jewellery (and pictures of anything else for that matter!) but I think you can make out what I'm trying to show you.  There is a flat band which curves top and bottom.  Held between these curves is a wire ring which moves freely on the band, but can't come off.


Perhaps you can make out the texture?  This was achieved using a rolling mill and pieces of fabric.  I used some small pieces of copper with a variety of fabrics to see which texture I wanted to achieve.  The results were really interesting.


Here are the pieces of copper on top of the fabric I rolled them with.  The one on the left above is a piece of thick jersey, the one on the right is an upholstery fabric with a very defined raised weave.


Left above is a piece of canvas and right is some kind of synthetic material, the kind you might make a scarf from, it falls apart if you pull it around.


This was from a bag of fruit, a plastic mesh.  I thought this would be the winner but actually, the texture was rubbish.


I don't know if you can make it out, but I used the yellow synthetic material.  I wrapped it round the piece of silver so it is textured inside and out.  Clearly, I could not clean up the join as it would remove the texture so you can see the join in the band.  Not in the wire ring though so it's easy enough to keep the seam in the band to the inside of my hand.

I really enjoyed making this, I can't wait to do some more experimenting with the rolling mill.  I also love the finished ring and wear it a lot.






9 comments:

Pamela said...

This is very interesting. Thanks for explaining the process.

Rachel said...

It's lovely - and so satisfying to have made something you have always admired!

Bethany said...

Wow!! Very cool! I love the different textures! Never heard of a fiddle ring--do you know why they're called that?

Oops-Lah said...

That ring turned out beautiful. I love the texture. I'm not sure I get it how you put the texture onto your silver. It's not silver caly, is it? I've done some silver clay courses and have enjoyed that too but I "hated" the polishing ;)!

Cath said...

It looks very professional. The texture shows up nicely.

Shirlee Fassell said...

Love the ring it came out great!

Jane said...

love the different textures you've tried, great to keep the picture references too. I've not seen those rings before, looks brilliant

Sarah in Stitches said...

This looks very cool! Great job :D

Anonymous said...

The ring is gorgeous. How did you get the concave shape and keep it when you shaped the ring?