Many of my students have been using an air/ acetylene torch and now want to have a torch that has the extra heat that oxygen brings, like the Smith "little Torch".

A lot jewelers use the "little Torch" with propane and oxygen, which is nice, and clean and moderately hot, but if you already have the Acetylene tank and regulator, you are halfway there....just add a tank of oxygen and its own regulator,  and add the "little Torch" designed  for acetylene. 
But here is the cool thing.....you don't have to give up your original air acetylene torch that you are comfortable with and already paid for!!! Add a "Y" splitter to that acetylene tank for about $35 and hook back on your original torch.  Yea!
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 Now why would you want 2 torches? Well, your ambient air/ acetylene torch is good for many operations, like annealing, or soldering large cuffs or belt buckles, but is limited in temperature when using a small tip.  It's about the opposite of the "little Torch", which is small and hot, but not as ideal for that annealing  job or any situation where you might want larger overall heat rather than the hot localized heat of the "little Torch".

The "little Torch" used with acetylene instead of propane is very hot and can be a bit sooty if you are slow to add the oxygen when lighting it. There is a bit of a learning curve, as with most new procedures, but my students use them in my classes and many have asked me for info to purchase one for their home studio.
Here is what you'll need: an Oxygen regulator something like this:   
or this from Eurotool about the same price:      http://eurotool.com/products/SINGLE_STAGE_OXYGEN_REGULATOR-4555-98.html  








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add  an oxygen tank ..... usually best purchased locally from gas supplier or  buy used

And this "Y" Splitter: From Eurotool  http://eurotool.com/products/Y_CONNECTOR_FOR_FUEL_GAS_B_CONNECTIONS-4542-98.html

Now the "little Torch"Rio Grande : https://www.riogrande.com/Product/Basic-Smith-Little-Torch-All-Fuels-System-with-Five-​

and Last Photo shows the whole set up (ignore the extra little acetylene tank I just got to make traveling easier, yea!)

I hope this gives you the information you need to add oxygen to your torch set up. Feel free to ask for clairification or if you need equipment from Eurotool you can order it through me. ( Eurotool does not sell the "Smith" brand of Little torch) I have gotten decent prices and service from "CyberWeld" on line. They carry the Smith line, as does Rio Grande and Otto Frei. I suggest shopping around to compare product prices.
​  Happy Soldering!!!

A recent student inquired about the red patina on some of my class samples so I sent her some info and thought I'd share it with all.

I teach and take metalsmithing workshops. Often these are not offered in fully equipped studios, and I need to supply substantial vise that will clamp down to a table.  I have found the commercial jewelry clamp on vises woefully inadequate. Watch the sales at Harbor Freight or an eye out at yard sales. $30-$40 new or $5 to $15  yard sale find, a scrap of plywood, a couple of C clamps and bolts will make you a strong useful tool you can use for years. You might find one to "steal" in your backyard toolshed/ workshop. I admit to borrowing ours  and then just drywall screwing it to workbench when it comes home. Check out these photos for details and send me a pic of yours if you make one!

test test

​Someone recently purchased a set of dragonfly earrings and pendant and asked me if I had a bracelet as well? I didn't, but the thought intrigued me. What would one look like? It would have dragonflies of course, but then what? Since the original ear/ pendants are an open three-dimensional dragonfly in silver with copper wings, my first thought was to link them together end-to-end with jump rings and add a simple clasp.  It would be pretty and delicate, but not me. I am not a link chain bracelet person. I am a cuff gal !

​ So... what would a dragonfly cuff look like? Well, one could pierce out small dragonfly shapes in a solid silver cuff but that wouldn't have 2 tones of copper and sterling or the signature textured copper wings. (I originally made them in silver wings too, but only the copper wings one sold well,  who knew?.)
One could etch or stamp a dragonfly design on a silver or copper cuff, but meh...not very original , and not much like the earring /pendant set. Then I thought of fusing or soldering the copper /silver earring sized dragonflies onto the surface of the cuff in a random dragonfly flight pattern. I settled on three dragonflies the same earring size so I could use existing pattern  (time-saver here). I laid them all out flat on a bracelet blank and fused them down. I did some synclastic forming ( I don't do flat) on the cuff and volia! I was happy with the results and it may become a member of my repeatable or production line.  It needed to be affordable as this is not a high end group, more of a fun day to day  thing, and wearable....another of my parameters.  "Extremely wearable jewelry"

There are many other design possibilities out there to fit the parameters but for now this one satisfied me and hopefully my customer. I suspect this design will evolve a bit as I make more of them. I already have the idea to alter the edge shape  on the next cuff:    what fun.
​Happy Designing!   

A glimpse into the design process and then what happens when you create that piece. Do you feel compelled to strictly adhere to the original design or see it as a starting point like I do.
I thought I'd share with you a rough sketch with some notes on what I THOUGHT might be good, then a photo of the finished product.  I started with a design concept requiring "circles" with some other required elements for an upcoming class I will be offering. .  As you can see I made some changes along the way. I feel no obligation to the original sketch unless there is a part I love and have to keep. I make adjustments for balance - physical weight, as well as visual "balance".  Changing the single bale hang point to the double attachment balanced the physical weight of the off center stone/ dangle. Sometimes I need to simplify, due to time constraints the students will be limited to. I am of the LESS IS MORE school of thought, but that doesn't mean it takes less time. We never seem to have the luxury of enough time in class.
 As part of the design process it helps to make some of the main elements and then play with moving them around and LOOKING at them. Trust your "eye" on what is better. If you have that luxury of "TIME",  lay it out and walk away for awhile, and come back for a fresh view. OR consider looking at it in a mirror.  If you are really having a hard decision, you might consider asking another..maybe your hubby or daughter. They might not be schooled in design, but they just might have an observation you hadn't noticed.  That does not mean you have to TAKE anyone's advise or suggestions. It's still YOUR piece and must be your decision. But after you get over your hurt feelings  ( yes, family sometimes has an un-sugar coated delivery)....you just might see they had a valid point.
Feel free to alter your plans along the way. I often find when I am looking thru my stash for the perfect colored stone or bead to compliment the piece...I find something better, although that may require taking a few steps back design wise to make it work...hopefully for the best.
 Another trick is to photograph your piece along the way. With digital and smart phone cameras, it is free and quick. I often do this when I have the perfect layout, but have to disassemble it in order to solder it . I use my cell phone pic to make sure I get it back right. The photos also help with the design. Sometimes we see something in a photo that we don't in real life.
Use any design tool that works.  And why not save that original design sketch and photograph it with the finished product to see where you started...and where you ended. Who knows there might be another creation in that original design.

"Summertime and the living is easy...." Well, I don't know about easy...but.. Summer is the season that we choose to do things that we enjoy for ourselves and kick back and relax and have fun. There's no holiday stress and craziness with family is like there is other times of the year. Think about treating yourself to an Art Retreat class. Try making a adventure out of it like I do and when I  travel there; spend a few extra days to do nearby museums, galleries, National Parks, or visiting old friends. I am pleased to tell you that Renee and I are planning summer Retreat adventures with you in mind.  Click on class Titles for active links
First up,  there's the exciting new ART RETREAT AT THE BEACH. In California. near Newport  Beach, Laguna  and all kinds of good places.  You can fly in and practically walk across the street to the venue, or drive and see the sights. This is sponsored by Vivi Magoo who puts in the Art Retreat in the Desert and Art on the Prairie, so you know it will be awesome.

 These are my class offerings: First off..."Rad Reticulated Wrap Ring".....try saying that 3 times fast LOL .       Students LOVED this class and it sold out in February, so here is your chance.

Next up is: "Fold Over Bracelets; an Anticlastic Adventure"....  This is a new class first being offered here at the "Beach"  Working with Bi-Metal and anticlastic forming bracelets with minimal tools will make you smile.

and then  "Cuttlefish Bone...not just for Bird Brains"   Cuttlebone casting is easy and opens up many possibilities for future projects. The unique texture, as well as quick casting  makes this technique one you will love.

August brings "ART UNRAVELED". You will not be fazed by the Phoenix heat as the Embassy Suites venue is lovely and cool inside with all your old retreat friends and the new ones you are sure to make. Many meet up annually to enjoy  the creative learning and the social aspect at this retreat.
Offering this year is a more involved 2 day learning experience with anticlastic forming and spiculum shapes. So many students comment..."I wish I had more time". So with 2 days filled with projects, you can pick and choose or if you are quick and like to be challenged, do all the projects demonstrated. Check out "Formed and Fabulous and Spectacular Spiculums" 

Also offered is "Chase your Blues Away"  an air chased bracelet in silver!!!  Chasing is the skill of forming metal with punches form the top on a fold formed "Pillow" of air......don't worry, it will make sense when you see it.

SO... Plan a "Retreat" from the summer doldrums and energize your creative spirit. Sign up early so you won't risk the class you want being filled. Grab a friend, sister or neighbor and make it even more fun. See ya there!
- April & Renee
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  Another great workshop is behind us and it is easy to say a good time was had by all. 
They were challenged with a lap seam, anticlastic forming, heat texturing the edges,  creating interesting textures and twists of wires for the inner bangles....then getting them attached....no easy feat...haha .  Everyone went home happy wearing their new creations. We even decided that a whole day could be spent just exploring the possibilities of twisting, rolling , texturing  and corrugating wire and strips, as one students sample lead to other ideas and suggestions and all had endless possibilities.  ( another class? hmmmm?)  Of course we all wish there was more time to do finishing, polishing and patina details, but time always flys when we're having fun!!   Won't you consider joining us next time?