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Granulation meets Biology

Design is the final frontier of any technique. Making a personal statement with granulation is difficult, because granulation has definite character. This week’s earrings for the Betty McKim Earring Challenge uses multiple techniques, and begins to explore the nexus between geometry and biology. On my bench I have these bases to start with.

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Being a creature of habit, I start as I have been, with fusing some balls and a ring onto the base. Granulation has the unexpected benefit of being really fast and easy compared to soldering. No fuss, no flux, no jumping chips and fiddling with your solder pick to get everything put back where it was. Just position with BlueFuse and heat.

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Now things begin to get strange. I once read a quote from John Paul Miller which I paraphrase: If you master one technique in your work, everyone can copy you. If you master two techniques, a few people can copy you. If you master three techniques no one will be able to copy you. I have skills in forging and enamel, and now I am adding granulation, but can I mix these things effectively?

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Looks biological, all right.

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And now for the enamel. There is not much space to get fancy, so just a little color and sparkle.

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They are small, light and very lively.

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Lillian Jones

Lillian Jones

Is a teacher and metalsmith in North Carolina, USA. She works both in silver fabrication and enamel. Her imagery is drawn from the geometries of nature, and an interest in illustration.

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