I am now starting to work with 2 other jasper cabs that I have, which are mostly of a tan and brown nature.

I placed the two of them along side some more copper sheet like I did with the Bruneau, but this time I concluded that copper is not the best metal to use. I tried silver and it makes the stones look flat. The more I looked at the cabs I began to realize that my eyes kept returning to the brown. Then I came to the conclusion that bronze might be the best material to use, and if needed maybe a slight patina would be needed on the final piece. I have ordered some sheet which I can use not only for the mounting plate but I can take a strip to the rolling mill and make my bezel too.

All of this has made me recall a statement someone made to me quite recently.

As you might remember (or not); I have been on a search for a teacher/mentor to learn metalsmithing - forging, sinking, raising and such. I have spoken and emailed a lot of people in the past few weeks and when I discussed what I am looking to learn I stated that I am open to working in copper and bronze - as well as silver. I would even work with tin and brass if appropriate. [I also think that learning on these less expensive metals is best and considering the price of silver these day, why wouldn't you!]

Well the person in question emphatically said: I am not teaching these days and if I was, I don’t work in those metals.

I found it a bit odd at the time and I still find this odd.

Ok, so you are not teaching these days, I can move on and find someone else. Thanks for your time.

But the “not working in those metals” came across - well snobbish! How dare I even mention working in these metals! What was I thinking?

I can’t imagine that metalsmiths, who are now working in silver and gold look down their noses at these materials.

I want to believe that when learning the art, the material they first hit with a hammer was something other than silver and gold. The Silversmithing books I have even instructs the reader to use copper and lead sheet to see how metal moves!

Now that I have put this out there, well I can move on but I am curious as to what you think.

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