Could someone please give me some practical guidelines regarding
materials to use when constructing little odd shaped hollowforms -
no more than 1" approx.dia. - to be used in bracelets. If I use 22,
24 or 26 ga. for the top and bottom, is it wise to use the same ga.
for the walls(approx. 3mm tall)? Or will a 28 or 30 ga. bezel wire
be strong enough - these would definitely be easier to shape. I
don’t want these forms to collapse during normal (or even a little
abnormal) wear! BTW my reference is only to sterling silver -
working in gold is still a dream for me. Thanks very much - I
appreciate all the help I get from Orchid! JoAnn Dean
Dear Joann just the fact that you are using sterling already puts
you at a disadvantage ,not to mention the bracelet wearing side;
bracelets and rings are hardest worn on the pieces, VS a pendant or a
brooche, I would go as thick as you can on the larger surfaces ,and
much thinner on the 3mm walls,bear in mind that you will be sanding
and cleaning these pieces ,so that will take away from the thickness
, I have done and do a lot of hollow forming of smaller to larger
works,sterling 22ga is adequate 24 ga is okay if you know what you
are doing. in the 1" size annealed state /soldered sterling is pretty
week ,it will work ;it will also depend on the wearer, some people
actually like the heft of 20ga 18ga , nothing like experminting.so
experiment away
Hratch
Atelier Babikian
P.O.Box 54147
Philadelpia PA. 19105 USA
215.465.9351
www.Hratchbabikian.com
I would use the sterling. It will be easier to shape if you anneal
it well. You can buy silver as rectangular wire so like bezel wire,
you wouldn’t need to saw all those strips.
Marilyn smith
Dear JoAnn, I’ve worked with this size of hollow shape a lot and use
nothing thinner than 22 guage. I prefer 20 guage. All the seems are
thicker and can be gently rounded to give a less flat look which is
my preference. The result feels more substantial. Working the metal
goes faster because matching seems is less fussy. Good luck, Jan