Copy of My Process
Raw Materials
Silver and gold - wire, sheet, tubing, and clay.
Stones - cabochons, rose cuts, faceted.
![Vickie Hallmark | fine silver and 22k gold components made from metal clay](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2525/2672/files/silver_birds_and_gold_flowers_large.jpg?v=1528561413)
Sculpting
Formed by hand with minimal tools
one at a time (like in nature)
tiny metal components
flowers, leaves, birds, insects
![Vickie Hallmark | Wisdom Brooch sketch](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2525/2672/files/wisdom_brooch_sketch_large.jpg?v=1528566392)
Sketching
I frequently sketch ideas for jewelry to get a starting point. Then I allow each piece to speak to me as it comes to life and tell me how it should look.
![Vickie Hallmark | Wisdom Brooch frame](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2525/2672/files/wisdom_brooch_frame_large.jpg?v=1528566520)
Magic
Once a frame is built in sheet and wire, I pull out the boxes of components and start experimenting. It may be a treetop scene of a bird on a branch, or a hummer floating below a dangling fuchsia, or a simple sprig of leaves and berries. The exact position of each element is critical to the overall emotion of the finished work.
![Vickie Hallmark | Wisdom Brooch layout](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2525/2672/files/wisdom_brooch_layout_large.jpg?v=1528566973)
Skill
Then comes the technical part - I tack and fuse everything together, using accumulated hours of practice to bring the temperature of the metal up to near (but not too near) the melting point. I pull out my saw or shears and delicately trim away the extra metal, then file and sand the edges to perfectly match that original frame.
![Vickie Hallmark | Wisdom Brooch cut out](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2525/2672/files/wisdom_brooch_cut_out_large.jpg?v=1528567071)
Hidden Details
Then comes the backside, just as important to me as the front. If there's room, I'll often put in extra details on the reverse. It's a bit of hidden fun and meaning for the owner, who may share or not with others. I love adding meaningful quotes.
Finishing
Sanding and polishing begin, through ever finer grit after grit. I add dark patina to bring out the details. The piece gets a special heat treatment to induce the extra resistance to tarnish that Argentium silver is known for. I carefully set stones and add finishing details like chains or ear wires. Finally, I engrave my signature. Voila!
Beauty Shots
So that the world outside my studio can see the finished work, I find the light tent and camera and take photos to share.