God help me, I've done it.

[Doc]

I have a few pieces on consignment at local shops (tourists will buy anything) and a local gallery, but nothing beyond that. Had a website at least a year ago and I haven't updated it in forever.

I mostly work with tiny beads or just stringing large ones for necklaces and such. My few attempts at silver work and lampworking turned out bizarre and I don't have the resources to buy and maintain torches.

I should scan in some of my recent stuff.
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For wire work... you do not need torches!

That's a myth. All you need are the right pliers, good wire of high grade and decent guage, (16 to 24 guage is what is generally best) and a LOT of patience.

Click here.

And here.

Torch work is for metal fusion and soldering. You can do amazing work with metal with just raw strength. Metal has a life of it's own. And with a high guage wire (Like 26) you can make coil connections between beads that will make a piece last for several lifetimes. Buy a 50 dollar set of jewelers pliers (Or cheaper if you are lucky) and start off with good wire. Don't get copper filled silver plated, it's to soft and squishy.

I am full of suprises you will find.

Working with fire and raw metal is all fine and good. I even have a forge set up that I never seem to use. I love how good metal can be molded like clay. Can be sculpted. Given life.

Ducky, people go absolutely batty for metal coil bead pieces. This is one of the many ways I used to stir up extra cash a long long long time ago when I was poor.

Those rings like the one I showed you in the online tutorial? It's a couple of dimes worth of wire and maybe a buck or two for the bead. And you can turn around and sell it easy for 30 to 50 bucks. With enough skill, you can make them on the spot for customers like at street fairs and festivals and such and do it in minutes.

Easy money :P