Hollow Silver Fabricated Bead

November 13th, 2006

Between preparing for my first art show & having my home internet down for the last week, I haven’t had much chance to blog. Sorry for the lag!
My boyfriend was ever so thoughtful and gave me an 8-week silversmithing class for my birthday last week (among other things). Thanks, Mike! This was the project I made in the first session. I’ve been wanting to try hollow beads for a while. I free-handed the design so it isn’t exactly symmetrical…but you get the basic idea. Mike says if you turn it sideways it looks just like the X-men symbol.
Quick Instructions:

Use a divider to scribe two circles in 22 gauge sterling silver. Saw both out with a jeweler’s saw (blade 4/0). Lightly scribe geometric design into one of the circles. Dome both discs. Drill holes into scribed circle & saw out design. File as needed. Sand edges of each dome so they will fit together snugly. Solder together using torch & easy silver solder. File notches on either side of bead & drill hole for cord to pass through. File any excess solder off of bead, sand, & buff to a high shine.
For some gorgeous samples of this type of bead, check out ‘Making Beautiful Beads‘ (which I highly recommend for the polymer clay projects as well).

Entry Filed under: Silversmithing