Here is a production tip for balling wire from
@linguanigra - “For some of my work, I like to have balled headpins at hand. Although I'm aware I can purchase balled headpins, it really takes little time to make my own. Because these are for the ears, I'm using 18 guage sterling silver. Because it's an alloy and not fine silver, when the wire balls up you might end up with a mottled looking tip. To make the tip a little smoother and to have the wire draw up a little faster, make sure there is flux on each tip of wire you're trying to ball. I usually have all the wire in the flux so I can just go one by one pretty quickly. You save time on clean up (or keep it as it, like me). If you want a completely smooth ball, using fine silver instead of sterling silver will do the trick (because I want these to be slightly work hardened, I chose sterling) Hope that helps!” Alicia is a Black jeweler and member of this community. I wanted to showcase some of her work and share a small part of her story in her words, follow her to see and support her work!: “I’m a life long jeweler, but I've been making jewelry under the name of Lingua Nigra for about 15 years or so. I have worked for some talented small brands as well as large jewelry companies as an assistant, designer and technical designer and finally a consultant, all the while making my own work until I could support myself full time with Lingua Nigra.” What inspires you the most? “Well specifically I'm inspired by nature. As you can see I'm a lover of pattern and texture and the pallets of feeling that nature offers is limitless. Generally I'm inspired by other creators and how they use their work as a means to communicate. I often wonder, they make their work look so complex, yet so effortless, how!?” What is your favorite piece you’ve made? “Phew! All my jewelry is my favorite! It's so hard to choose. I think my Captive Chamber Dentalium Shell Earrings are one of my favorites. (1st picture of her work) They're made from Dentalium Shell, which is the shell of a Mollusk. They are super dramatic and fragile but command a presence.” Thank you for sharing about your work and for sharing a tip with us!!
#ballingwire
