There is a lot going as you vary the relative sizes of frame and filler wire. I find myself looking at these differences probably more than I need to. I keep very detailed notes of what the size is of each element as I make a piece, but in the end it is the eye that measures the final product. I don’t recall if you can cast ingots and roll and draw wire. This makes a big difference in my willingness to experiment with different sized elements. I generally make the frame pieces out of square or rectangular sterling wire and the filler pieces are a mixture of sterling and fine depending on the size and how much they need to be manipulated. I try to make sure that all of the loops are closed and soldered. I do a fingernail test of each loop and soldered joint to make sure that they are actually soldered so that I am not left with little pointed pieces that might snag on cloth or skin. I think that I saw this on a Victoria Lansford video as a test of a student’s work. I regularly take a break from the heavy forged, twisted and fabricated bracelets that I make and sell to do some filigree pieces or small fine chased and repousse pieces. The two shop environments are very different. I have yet to develop a local market for my filigree, so I have a lot of it in stock. I like your work and hope that you are having fun with it. Good luck…Rob
2 Likes