Welcome to the Epheriell studio, circa December 2010! I’ve been super-busy this week with all the Christmas orders coming in (thank you!) but I thought I’d take a minute to share what I’m working on. Firstly, the studio is looking a tad messy at the moment…
I have big plans for this space next year – Nick has built me some fabulous shelves to replace the ones currently being held up by bricks (how charmingly uni-student-ish!) but I need to wait until the current rush has passed before I can relax and spend the time to get everything sorted properly!
Here’s a closer look:
My collection of pliers, conveniently stored in an old brick (I do plan to keep this in my new studio set-up, but I think I’ll paint the brick white).
My cute little anvil, hammer and polishing cloth.
My collection of sandpaper bits. I don’t know why, but I can rarely bring myself to throw out pieces of sandpaper until they totally disintegrate! I’m always pawing through this lot looking for the right piece for the job I’m doing. The pegs? Goodness knows, I must have wanted them for something…
More of my tools. Yes, knitting needles are jewellery tools! How do you think I make all those nice curvy earwires? You can also see a big file, ruler, and my square ring mandrel.
Now, to prove I actually use this stuff!
Making a silver bangle (Tracey, this is yours!).
Action shot! Notice the motion blur…
Now for a bit of soldering. Here I’m painting my silver with flux – that’s the stuff in the container labelled ‘poison’ in such cheerful letters. It’s important to protect the silver when soldering, and also to help the solder flow.
Lighting my soldering torch!
Notice the two-hand action – I’m a pro at this now!
Heating the silver – in my right hand I’m holding my solder picker – on the end is a little bit of solder wire, which I add to the join on the silver that I want to solder together (once it gets hot enough).
The fruits of my labour! This was part of a day’s work. All those closed raindrops started as lengths of wire, which were then soldered, shaped and finished.
Now – back to work!
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Loved getting to see you creating – so cool!
love this post Jess!! now I want to make some silver jewellery again. I have some of those tools. Can I come your your soldering thingy? hehe. look how pro you are at it!
Haha, of course Liss! You should come over sometime and we can solder things… ;D
how wonderful to see your tools of trade and how you use them.
Is your groovy new desk in this area as well?
Do you have air/con? Music?
Is this where your little plants are? I think you had images of them on a window sill…
Jane! Yes, my plants are on the window-sill here, and I have the radio. No air-con, but luckily it doesn’t get too hot! And my new desk is down in the house, where I am when I’m on the computer 🙂
It’s so interesting seeing another crafters work space, especially one that makes something totally different to me. The brick tool holder is such a good idea! I also have that ‘make do and mend’ poster in my craft room 🙂
Random question, do you find your hands/fingers get sore from working with sandpaper etc? Id imagine they kind of would..mine get sore just from working with needles, thread & hot glue.
Krystal – yep, my hands do get sore! I usually have to take breaks every hour or so – all the fine motor movement, filing, sandpapering, bending etc certainly gives the old finger-tips a workout (and sometimes I file/sand off my nails accidentally!)
So cool to see inside your workspace, reminds me of my Silversmithing course that I did at TAFE in Brisbane years ago.
Anyway, I wanted to ask where your t-shirt is from because it is too cool! Hope it is recent I would love to get one!
Thanks Megs! And my t-shirt is from threadless – http://www.threadless.com/ – if you’re lucky they’ll have some left – all of their designs are limited edition!
That is a fun post ! I absolutely love seeing work spaces..especially a craft such as yours…I love how empowering it is when a WOMAN handles the tools ! Soldering, hammering .. You go Jess !
love love love! I was also wondering what that pink peg was doing there! It looked so out of place amongst all your macho tools! And that soldering pic…yikes. Have you ever accidentally burnt your fingertips before?
Haha, thanks Lakshmi!! I *heart* my tools ;D
Helena – no, amazingly! I have never burnt myself. I’m hoping I never will, but time will tell!
Great post Jess, I enjoyed hanging out in your studio. I love the brick idea for your tools..how neat!!
It’s nice to see how people make do with their workspace on limited budget and space. Love how you handle the torch! I have yet to learn how to solder myself, maybe next year I’ll attend a class and get the tools. (really broke this month)
And… I LOVE that t-shirt you’re wearing!! Where did you get it?
Thanks Alex! As for my shirt – scoot back up a few comments – someone else asked, too 🙂 x
Hey Jess! I love seeing the inside workings of your studio. And I can’t wait to see the new shelves. Way to go on the video blogging, too 🙂