At one with the chisel

1/2/2018 - In some ways, 2017 was the year of the chisel for me. Because of a new book project I'm helping Hiroko Sato-Pijanowski with (I'm creating many patterning samples and co-writing one chapter), I've been doing extensive research to find ways to efficiently pattern larger pieces of mokume. It was clear to me chiseling was the way to go, and thankfully the classes I took last March with Ford Hallam helped lead the way. Now, chisel patterning is way more fun and interesting to me than stamp patterning! It is cleaner, more adaptable to different sizes, and it really is faster.
The first bracelet was an exploration to see how many layers of material are needed to get a complex pattern. The fewer the layers, the more practical it will be to create the piece in gold, using just blank layers of silver to add strength to the bottom half of the billet. First bracelet is sterling silver with two exotic Japanese alloys - 25% shibuichi and my new favorite metal kuroshibuichi. Kuroshibuichi is the dark gray, shibuichi is the lighter gray. The gold one is finished now too - two bottom photos. Pretty happy with it.

First round of chiseling - the metal is about 3mm thick at this point. The background support was custom-made for me by mokume master Earl Bushey, but more commonly the piece would be in pitch for this step.

Second pass - you can see the pattern developing. After the first pass, I forged the piece back to flat and annealed. This second pass I chisel again in the same areas to create more complexity. You can see the bullnose chisel I'm using, made in Ford Hallam's class in Torquay.

Middle strip is the bracelet, patterning complete and ready to be formed. Bottom strip was a bit extra off the same billet - couldn't resist patterning it again.

Finished gold bracelet - this is 18k yellow gold, palladium 500 and sterling silver. On the wrist of a wonderful client now, but I can always make more!

Finished bracelet. I'm calling it Calm River. Currently on display at Anneville, but I haven't decided the price yet!

Same gold bracelet, different view. Patterning is done with chisel (lines) and drill/burr (circles).