Forging a Decorative Bail from Sterling Silver

I create a decorative bail to make a simple pendant more interesting. Join me as I forge, anneal and shape this square stock into something original and fun. Non-ferrous metals are quite malleable and can be stretched and compressed to do more than you may think. Watch in 1080HD for the best detail.

[@aumi.jewels]

I hope you will be able to answer this. What was the gauge of the Square wire that you used? I either missed it in the beginning or you didn’t mention it. I am a Silversmiths instructor. And I was intrigued with a jewelry, designer, Henry Stein in the 1950’s. My mother had a Designer piece from him and at that time I had no idea how famous he was and he actually passed away in the early 1970s anyway he had a Bracelet and I do not know his technique but the bracelets were forge the way I’m sure you did lots of twisting, but it was like spring. He’s super springy and I have no idea how he did that… Anyway, I ended up repurposing that designer bracelet, and this was before I was as knowledgeable in Silversmithing, as I am now. I regret destroying his work. But I did keep his specialty curved designs in place with the piece that I made for a client and I had added blue Mosque kyanite faceted gemstone for a pendant, and then the same gemstone for the earrings, my client was just thrilled and she loved the history of the vintage silver. I normally don’t listen through to a really long video but I enjoyed your teachings!!!! The way you explained forging was spot on. I do know how to forge with my hammers, but I want you to know I have watched some really good Silver Smith instructors. But no body that I have watched so far has done explaining as well as you did in this video. I’m talk texting, so I just pray that this doesn’t have any weird wording. I noticed you’re not doing any more classes. I really hope everything‘s OK with you. I would be very interested to learn where you took classes. I’m going to watch some more of your work. And your mother is going to love this pendant. Thank you so much, Autumn Michelle

[@DouglasMosley759]

This is so helpful. I’ve got the metal and the tools but didn’t realize the potential for forging such interesting shapes. Thanks!

[@drsyn1699]

Really good :)

[@CherylAnn2222]

I love it! such a special piece ❣

[@crabzilla12]

I love your work. It’s exactly the kind of thing I want to do. You’re the first person I’ve seen really showing how to form metal to unique designs. Your an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@marywong5670]

Thank you for your kind words! Jewelry making, like so much else, is really an ongoing series of questions that you have to figure out the answer to. Solving problems and figuring out solutions is the fun of it and is very satisfying. Keep on creating!

[@barbaracovey]

That was excellent! Thanks.

[@marywong5670]

Thank you! Learning jewelrymaking before the age of KZbin required solving most of your design problems by trial and error--either design it better or figure out a way to solve the creation problems that arise. But that is the fun of it and it is ultimately very satisfying so-- keep on creating!