Decorative Granulation and Beads

by Judy Larson

Using decorative granulation/balls/beads can add a lot of dimension to your jewelry pieces. The surface of Argentium does not pit like sterling silver does, making it ideal for making decorative granulation/balls/beads.

Instructions

Keep a small box (this one is from an outdoor store and is used to keep small fish hooks separated) loaded with beads of various sizes. Spend an afternoon cutting and balling wire beads of various sizes so when inspirations strikes, they are ready to go. This box shows beads made with 18 gauge round dead soft Argentium wire. The section with one inch pieces of balled wire also houses larger domed pieces. Hint: The longer the wire used, the "flatter" the ball will be.

Judy Larson's Decorative Granulation and Beads - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, granulation

Space the cut pieces of wire out on a soldering brick. Use a butane torch to melt each wire piece into balls. Hint: The surface of capper pits just like sterling silver and is harder to ball up than Argentium. It sometimes helps if the wire is cut into smaller sections which are then placed side by side to ball them.

Let the balls cool. Holding a ball with the tips of a chain nose pliers, run the flatter side of the ball over 320 or 400 grit sandpaper to remove any fire scale and any bits of fire block that may be sticking to them.

Materials

18 Gauge Half Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-18HRD

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $3.36
Gold Club Price: $2.52

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Tools

Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

TRCH-8010
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

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Category: Design
Technique(s): Design

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Decorative Granulation and Beads

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