Making Roman jewelry means learning metalsmithing, and I’ve been bitten HARD by that bug. I just set up a mini-studio in my garage so I can practice without traveling across town to Fjorlief’s studio on those rare days when our schedules are compatible.

For the past six months I’ve been agonizing about period methods. Letting go of that after Athenaeum was wonderfully freeing.

One of my long-term goals is to duplicate this bracelet, which will require soldering (I’ve got the basics already), dapping (shaping hemispheres from flat sheet metal), and die striking, casting or repousse (for the shells).

Here’s my first attempt at dapping. It was super fun!   

Stay tuned for more bumbling adventures! 🙂