Welcome!

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Welcome to Designs By Samra metalsmithing and jewelry making web blog!

This is a personal endeavor to learn the art of jewelry making.  Yes, I could easily BUY the jewelry I wear…but where is the adventure in that?  Just imagine what the world would be like if Pierre-Auguste Renoir did not study the art of painting!

My beginnings are humble.  I have learned a “few tricks of the trade” such as sawing, piercing, hammering and forging metal.  I have also learned how to oxidize metal using various methods and conversely how to clean the oxidation off.  I have acquired quite a few metal stamps for stamping dreamy words and sayings on the metal pieces I have studied hot joining methods and I am currently reviewing cold joining techniques more thoroughly.

For now, I’m quite content as a self-taught metal-smiting student.  Life responsibilities and obligations place limits on my time and prevent me from taking a community class or learning at the knee of a well-known metalsmith.  The web is my classroom.  I welcome your suggestions and comments!

Sam

UPDATE:  I have enjoyed taking classes at a local silversmith school, watching and learning from Mr. Soham Harrison on his YouTube channel, and as always, I am grateful for my personal teachers, Mr. & Mrs. Trial and Error.