Texturing Metal is one of my favorite ways to create designs. I love the w
ay texture adds to the basic metal. It gives it dimension and makes the designs more interesting.
There are LOTS of ways to texture metal. Here’s a peek into two of the ways I use most frequently.
Corrugation.
This means literally, to shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves. Old-fashioned washboards were corrugated. I use a corrugation brake to create the folds. Then as you can see on the large metal piece to the right.. I turned the metal 90 degrees and corrugated again! There are end
less designs using this process. I just have to remember to soften the metal EVERY time after running the metal through the brake. Otherwise it gets too brittle.
Texturing with Hammers:
Did I mention that I LOVE to hammer?? Maybe this is my positive way of taking out aggression. Could be!! At any rate I do love the feel of the hammer in my hand and a
dore the textures that can be created. And art is involved in the techniques too. The hammer hit needs to be precise or the texture will not be consistent. This takes practice.
Here are a few of the texturing hammers I use on a regular basis. Each one of them gives a different texture or design to the metal.
Did you know there is actually a Hammer Museum? It is located in Alaska. Wouldn’t it be fun to visit?
If I ever get back to Alaska, I will check it out. A whole building filled with hammers. Whoopee!
Several other texturing techniques including Stamping, roller mill, form folding and fusing will be highlighted in future Peeks into my design process.
A few of my finished designs.
There is still time to enter the SWEEPSTAKES! One lucky person will win this Sterling and Dichroic glass pendant.
Oh my goodness, your jewelry is so beautiful! Be sure to take pictures of the hammer museum if you make it out to Alaska. 🙂
thanks Jessica. It might be worth the trip. If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be a hammer freak I would have laughed at them!
Wow! This is so cool! I’ve always been curious about making handmade jewelry.
thanks Jennifer. I am obsessed with it.. as you have most likely already figured out!
Love this post and not just because I make beaded jewelry. Self expression through creative is so diversified. I could not see myself hammering or twisting metal and have great respect for those who do. Very lovely designs.
Thanks so much Roslyn. Jewelry design is so diversified. We each have our own way of expressing our passion
Wow, such fun and beautiful pieces you have created. My daughter would probably love to get into making this type of jewelry. She has done some things with metal in the past and her artwork was truly gorgeous. Looks like you have mastered the use of a hammer in a very useful and productive way. Love that. 🙂
Thanks Brenda. Working with metal is addictive. Sounds like your daughter has the bug too?
How neat, I had never seen these tools and never had any clue how those cool textures were created before 🙂
Your work is incredible, I love what you do with copper!
Thanks Natalie. These are 2 of my favorite ways to get the texture. Hammering is therapeutic ?
Love that you add texture, it really makes a difference plus I think helps hide or accentuate imperfections too!
Thanks Kristen. It does both?