Category: Events

Glass Workshops Explained

The Glass Workshops are now in full swing, so I wanted to use this blog to dive into the process of the workshop so you know what to expect or for those who live too far away to attend to live vicariously!

STEP ONE: CHOICES

The hardest part in any workshop I teach is helping people make decisions! Haha! From the decisive to the decision paralysed, it’s a hard line to stick to in order to guide but not influence students.

The workshops have been designed with set patterns to ensure they are all achievable not only in the time frame but also in the ability of a beginner starting. Choosing the colours and patterns of your glass can really change the overall look of these simple designs and change the overall effect.

STEP TWO: BREAK SOME GLASS!

A lot of the time you hear about cutting glass, but we are actually scoring the glass with the lines of the pattern pieces then breaking. Glass is going to break how it wants to, not always how you want it to, it’s important to have a little practice to get the hang of it.

STEP THREE: GRINDING!

Once all the pieces are ready, it’s Grinding time! This is a bit like filing metal but with more noise, water and sharp edges! This step ensures your pattern fits together well and that all edges are smoothed ready for the next step. Once done, wash to remove all glass dust.

STEP FOUR: COPPER FOILING

We bring down the intensity for the next step as we are copper foiling. This step wraps a thin piece of copper around the glass and sticks to the sides, top and bottom of the glass. This will form to basis of our joins that will hold the piece together.

STEP FIVE: SOLDERING

The longest and most intense step is the soldering. Using a soldering iron, we melt the lead solder over all the copper foil to join all our pieces together. This can be tricky to get consistent lines but is so satisfying to see the metal melt!

STEP SIX: TO CAME OR NOT TO CAME

Once all our lines are done, we can choose to came wrap the piece or leave the edge. The came can hide some inconsistencies but at the same time can be a bit tricky to attach.

STEP SEVEN: FITTINGS

The last little soldering task can be a tricky one is to attach jump rings so that you can hang the piece.

STEP EIGHT: A GOOD SCRUB AND PATINA

Into a hot soapy bath to clean off the piece then it’s time to patina. Choosing to keep it silver like the solder or blacken it. Both have their benefits and can really enhance your design.

STEP NINE: WAX AND FINISH!

Once that is done and dry, a little wax polish to seal peice and enhance the patina. Then the last decision of the day is to choose a coloured ribbon to hang the piece and complete it!

I hope you have enjoying this detailed dive into the process of Glass Making Workshop. I hope to see you in the workshop soon to make one! If you have any questions regarding the workshops please feel free to reach out via email asilvercircledesign@gmail.com

FURTHER VIEWING: To see the available designs for the workshop, head to the Glass Pattern Page linked HERE.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Valentines Day is a reminder to take a bit of time and make some effort to show those you care about that you truly appreciate them. Everyone celebrates the day differently, no matter if you are single, newly dating or about to celebrate a 50 year wedding anniversary. A piece of jewellery from A Silver Circle Design acts as a representation of the feelings that you have for yourself or someone around you. Regardless of your situation or budget we have a handmade item of jewellery to help you celebrate this love-filled day.

Under $30
The Hexagon Hammered Ring – $25
A simple ring for a simple love. Much like jewellery sometimes there is no need to
overcomplicate things. If you are in those blissful yet occasionally awkward early stages of
dating and do not want to make Valentines Day a serious event, then the rustic Hexagon
Hammered Ring is the perfect little token of sweetness to give. Worn singularly or as a
multiple, hopefully it will be the first of many gifts between you and the person you are
seeing.
Under $50
Curved Bar Necklace – $45
Just because you are not in a relationship does not mean you can’t indulge in everything
Valentines Day has to offer. Spoil yourself with the delicate Curved Bar Necklace, or
celebrate the day with friends and buy your friend this beautiful necklace to cement the
importance of loving friendships.
Under $100
Resin Square Drop Earrings – $70
When you are young and in love, Valentines Day is one of many holidays that can cause
unneeded stress. Make it easy for yourself with the Resin Square Drop Earrings, a perfect
pop of colour that any girl will love. Chose from a range of fun crumpled metal leaf colours
such as copper, gold or if you are the more romantic type pick the vibrant red gold to keep
within the traditional Valentines Day colours.
Under $150
Window Pendant – $150
A clean line statement piece, the Window Pendant is a thoughtful gift that goes above and
beyond your usual chocolates and flowers. Show your loved one just how special they are
with an equally out of the ordinary piece of jewellery. A feminine miniature that allows you
to take the saying ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’ one step further by wearing a mini
window around your neck.
Under $200
Domed Patterned Cufflinks – $150
Jewellery is not just for the girls! Any man will appreciate a one of a kind piece such as the
Domed Patterned Cufflinks. Only recently added to our Domed Patterned Collection, they
add a subtle touch of pattern and shine to his daily work life. Or are as equally perfect for
those more formal special occasions where you both dress up together and put the extra
effort into your outfits.
Under $300
A Gold Circle Ring – $260
Valentines Day is the perfect excuse to splurge and spoil your girlfriend or wife with a
statement piece of jewellery she will keep forever. A variation on the namesake A Silver
Circle Signature Ring, this gold version has been designed as an expression of simplicity.
By emphasising the negative space of the form this openwork circle has the appearance of
floating on the finger. The circular shape of a ring is used all around the world to symbolise
wholeness and infinity.
However much you spend it is the love and care behind the gift that is what is appreciated.
Show those you love that you are thinking of them with a unique piece of jewellery at any
price point. Give something that will last forever, just as the feelings will.

Father’s Day is Coming Up!

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Celebrate Father’s Day by giving Dad a heartfelt gift to complement his style. Our range of cufflinks and rings come in an array of forms which vary from refined to eclectic including the Computer Chip, Wood Carved, Resin and Textured collections.

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The Computer Chip and Wood Carved collections are especially close to our hearts this month as their up-cycled materiality has earned them a place in the forthcoming Artisan Markets. The Artisan Markets are held at the end of each season at the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability in Waverton, so come say hello on Sunday the 29th August 9am – 3pm.

Any Dad interested in computers, re-used materials or who has an appreciation for detail will love the Computer Chip cufflink collection. The collection was created from re-purposed circuit boards which are not only aesthetically interesting but conceptually engaging. The cufflinks’ conceptual integrity is established through their subtle homage to the value of waste in the advent of sustainable design.

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Similarly, the Wood Carved collection was created from up-cycled off-cuts from wood-workers. What was deemed too small for furniture use was the perfect size for jewellery. The collection consists mostly of Jarrah wood which is native Australian with hints of Myrtle Beech. The collection has charm in its juxtaposition of the warm red wood with the sheen of the polished sterling silver.

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The striking nature of gem colours in the Resin Collection is beautifully balanced with their sterling silver structure. They are the perfect accessory when trying to enhance an outfit through their subtle pop of colour.

Green Resin Cufflinks

The Textured Collection is classic and refined in style and is an easy addition to dad’s wardrobe. The simple circle form enhances the unique pattern created through the process of reticulation. This process creates intricate tiny bumps and indents on the surface of the pieces, making each piece unique.

Textured Cufflink

Men’s rings have become increasingly popular over the past couple of years through their integration into fashionable men’s style. Boost Dad’s fashion by gifting him the Hammered Ring Band, the indents and grooves on its surface bring a sense of style to every look.

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All the pieces can be ordered from the shop page so go check them out! We want to celebrate with you, so have created new and unique additions to the collection to celebrate Father’s Day and male jewellery alike.