I’ve been sent to the back of the class.
Yes, it’s jewellery again. Must try harder. Must conquer
fear of fire and soldering. Last week Khun Chaiwat told me that my next piece
of jewellery had to include lots of soldering. Oh joy; (I’d been planning to
design something that needed no soldering in an attempt to avoid it. Always
best to avoid all awkward things whilst maintaining British stiff upper lip.) No,
alright, that’s not the answer: must conquer fears.
The truth is it’s not the jewellery; it could be crème brûlée. (Damn it, why isn’t it crème brûlée?)
So here’s the problem: in my right hand is a raging fire. I
mean raging; as though flames aren’t scary enough, then we send gas rushing
through to make it really aggressive. The solder sits on top of the join – or
next to it – but it’s microscopic. Alright, it’s not microscopic but it might
as well be; it’s tiny. And if I cut it bigger, then it makes a mess all over
the copper or brass that I’m working on and then there’s more filing to do... I
have to point the flame at the right part of the metal but not for so long that my piece of jewellery starts to melt… And if one side gets hotter than the other, then I’m in
trouble and the solder spews all over one side of the piece, and not down the
crack at all. In my left hand is a titanium stick that I can use when the
solder falls off the join. Which it does because there’s that raging flame
blowing a kind of Hell-like gale towards a tiny piece of silver solder… When
the solder falls off the join you have to let it melt and then scoop it up on
the end of the titanium stick and push it back on the bit you’re trying to
solder. Simple.
Except my hands don’t seem to work together properly. It’s
just like learning to drive… It should be straightforward; it’s only my hands
I’m asking to cooperate with each other. Like eating, yes? I manage that all
right. NOOOOO, actually I don’t manage that very well. I have a familial
reputation for dropping stuff down my front. (That’s all invitations for social
engagements retracted…)
I’ve thought and thought about what my problem is. Years
ago, I found an old school report from my piano teacher. It said ‘Jenny seems
to have problems sending messages from her brain to her fingers.’
Indeed.
*Sigh*
These cufflinks are my latest piece:
12 comments:
I was reading this and thinking up some slightly snide comment to post about how at least writing isn't physically damaging, but really -- these are beautiful!
Aw Sue, you are funny and thank you. Writing was beginning to physically damage me!
Those are bea-yooo-ti-ful so all that suffering you're doing for your art is producing some very pleasing results. (I feel like saying those cufflinks look quite lickable... but lord knows what that's going to attract!)
stunning
lx
Gorgeous cufflinks! I know what you mean about soldering - I was similarly terrified when I did a stained glass making course & kept coming up with excuses for the teacher to do it for me! Snapping glass was a bit scary too. Still, the resultant piece was beautiful and I was so proud. You should be too x
Chris, but I know what you mean about the lickable. The enamel is gorgeous when it's dried. Thank you.
Liz, thank you.
Cally, thank you. Stained glass? Could I remember that? I bet the pieces were gorgeous.
They are awesome, and I'm wearing them right now in the office.
I've had a few admiring glances already. But that may have more to do with my cute behind than the cufflinks...well one can dream!
Bea, I'm sure it's your backside, hon. ;-D
Oooh, they are gorgeous! I'm so clumsy, I'd never be able to solder anything without causing severe harm to myself, lol.
CJ x
Wow I think they are really nice!
They are beautiful, keep up the great work - have faith in yourself, you are soooo talented!!! Jane xxx
Thanks all. xx
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