Reticulation!

This past week I spent working on a piece using a technique called 'reticulation.'

This involves using sterling silver, which contains both fine silver and copper.  The silver is heated to an annealing temperature, and air cooled.  This has to be done about ten times, and then the metal is ready to reticulate. 

Once ready, I 'paint' the metal with my torch, chasing the metal around the piece to create a unique pattern in the metal.  It resembles a molten crust, and each piece is unique and individual to what Mother Nature dictates on that piece at that time at that temperature. 

There is a fine balance between reticulating the metal surface, and just melting it.  This process is very time consuming, but I love the end result.

Check out the coming soon section, and keep an eye out for the listing when it is completed!