Brooch Backs

So whilst finalising my dissertation, I have also been producing a nunmber of test pieces with different brooch backs on them.

Punched and numbered shapes; nickel.

Drawn square wire; nickel.

I started with aseries of single soldred pins, as I had in my last hand-in. However each way ofmaking the point was different. A was drawn and sanded into a tiny point, like a compass; B was drawn and sanded into a longer point like a normal pin; C was forger to a point and D was a forged taper with a tiny sanded compass-like nib (and a twist).

E had a double forged and sanded pin which was soldered to a plate and then riveted on.

A,B & D (I'm trying to still employ some surface technique relevant to my current work

The forged and twisted pin for D. I have now invested in another pair of nylon pliers. the twist is too tight at the base because i was using steel pliers which had a stronger grip than my other nylon. They also leave marks on the metal which means a longer finishing time-grr.

Corrugating F with rubber in the flypress broke my laser-etched tool! Oh well; will have to make another one on monday.

All 5 samples so far! (will look forward to continuing my brooch back sampling! F was my most interesting; as I used tube to create a hinged pin. Would like to try it as a double though. My next progression is onto clasps too.