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Messages - orestruck

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1
Introduce Yourself / Well hello!
« on: 19 May 2011 14:58 »
Hello all!
I've been a member here for a while, but thought it was time to say hello....
You know what it's like, too many forums and not enough time!
my name is Sarah and I am a jewellery designer and occasional lamp worker.
I've been making jewellery for about 10 years but originally trained as a fashion designer. In one of my incarnation I used to make bespoke wedding dresses.
I also teach, both basic jewellery making skills (wire wrapping, knotting etc) as well as workshop skills for those who want to learn a bit more about silver - soldering, forging etc.
So that's me. If I can give advice in any of these areas, I would be happy to....

Sarah

Www.orestruck.co.uk
Www.Facebook.com/orestruckjewellery

2
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: Hallmarks on sterling silver findings?
« on: 12 Apr 2009 21:05 »
I did say "most"  ;D

3
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: A Stale Question about Pricing
« on: 12 Apr 2009 10:09 »
A good pricing formula is -
cost of materials + time(multiplied by hourly rate) + 20% profit & overheads.
So making a pair of earrings from sterling or base metal should not affect the price too much.
Heres an example with an hourly rate of 6 pounds.
Sterling earwires at £1 a pair, beads and other findings at £1 total and half an hours time.
£2 + 0.5(x£6) + £1(which is 20% profit) = £6

The same earrings with a pair of base earwires at 20 pence
£1.20 + 0.5(x£6) + 0.84(which is 20% profit) = £4.04

Not a huge difference really...........But remember this is your WHOLESALE price. You should then multiply by 2.5 or thereabouts to get a RETAIL price.....

4
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: Hallmarks on sterling silver findings?
« on: 12 Apr 2009 09:58 »
Most countries do not have hallmarking regs at all - only the UK requires items over 7ish grams to be hallmarked.
The other point is -  sorry to disagree  ;)) but the higher content silver in a piece the LESS you will get your piece blackening/tarnishing. The copper content in sterling causes tarnish as it reacts with the sulphur in the atmosphere. This is also why sterling goes black on some peoples skin - they naturally have a higher sulphur content in their bodies - certain drugs can also have this effect. Also, the higher silver content the more malleable and soft the metal is - it is LESS likely to be brittle and can be very difficult to work harden. Which makes fine silver unsuitable for making earwires and other similar findings.
HTH
Sarah

5
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: Pendant Bezels
« on: 17 Mar 2009 20:26 »
The only place I found anything like that was Santa Fe Supplies in the US, but they were all square. They reall clobbered me on the Postage tho'.

Sarah

6
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: Hallmarking silver
« on: 17 Mar 2009 20:24 »
Daisychain is spot on with this one.
Don't forget the Birmingham assay office too - they are fantastically helpful with ANY enquiries.

Sarah

7
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: wire work - wire wrapping
« on: 19 Jan 2009 21:59 »
Ooooh Ta!

8
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: wire work - wire wrapping
« on: 18 Jan 2009 21:40 »
 ;D

9
Jewellery Making Forum / Re: wire work - wire wrapping
« on: 18 Jan 2009 20:24 »
Megan - those wraps are fine!  ;D
As far as marking the wire goes - it happens....mine still gets marked after years of practice!
It will get better with practice.
In my opinion, the best pliers are beadsmith professionals...there are a few places you can get them online.....I'll try and find my sources and let you know....they are small and precise.
Palmermetals.co.uk do some very similar but I did have a pair snap once nearly taking my eye out! However Ido work them hard......
Sarah

edited to add
If you fancy coming round for a lesson just shout!

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