The Changes In Doing It.

Aluminum has potential as a jewelry medium. These pieces are resting on a sheet of textured aluminum stock.

"I found time to learn the night sky, so that it was calendar, clock, & compass. There are knots to learn, puzzles to solve: how does one reckon the tides? Need a sundial? The arithmetic of ratio & proportion are at the root of trigonometry & algebra, whoso can reckon in fractions has a firm grip of all else. All of these were in the reach of folk in days gone by, if they bothered to learn them. There is nothing like going for a walk, to loosen the bindings of habit, & so open one to new thoughts & feelings. Learn your surroundings: one can figure the direction & distance of a sound at night, especially a branch falling from a tree or the like, if one has taken in his surroundings. If one looks at what is over the hill, or around the next bend, they are no longer unknown territory; one can picture what is going on from the sounds made there. It is good sense to know that this or that can be found here or there, one may need it at a moment’s notice, even if, until then, it was only stuff. Every day holds something new, or gives an answer to an old mystery; when it comes to living without the plugged-in things being switched on: when boredom calls, it calls for change; so make a change." The preceding long quote is from a writing by Christopher Ellis titled "Somethings on what to do when everything is  turned off" 
     Today you and I are facing what seem to be ever increasing precious metals prices,  increasing energy costs and higher food prices. Today I'd like to suggest some methods- techniques we may find ourselves doing as a result of these changing times.  "it calls for change, so make a change."
    I think PMC has an advantage when it comes to copper and brass clays. by combining a glass approach called miliflori or caining. it's not mokome but it's cool looking stuff.
    The process of filigree uses surprisingly little metal. learn about a tool called a millgraining tool.
    Casting is still an excellent method to produce multiples, But so are photo etching, and die cutting.
    Electro-plating uses very little metal. Electro forming is a little different.
    I highly recommend that any of you wanting to have a career in jewelry become gemologists. The value of most $10,000 pieces comes down to a mounting less than $1,000 and $9,000 for the center stone. The profit is made on the stone. Put your knowledge where the profit is!
    
    
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