Student Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Type of Workshop: Project/Process
Prerequisite: None

There is nothing quite so satisfying to me, as to take a few small pieces of plain base sheet metal and transform them into a beautiful set of ear adornments, or perhaps a special necklace focal.

The simple beauty of using hand textured or etched metal, along with the art of lacing & optional fold forming, will be covered in this class. I will supply some favorite earring & focal patterns, but really the class will be one that dares you to design your very own, using the beautiful technique of lacing, as a form of attaching the metal in layers of two or three, or more! I can't begin to tell you how this seemingly simple challenge will start your creative juices flowing, as you dive into ways to create movement, as well as stability, in your tiny pieces of art. This class will certainly transfer over into much more than jewelry, once you leave the classroom.

Texture, layering & stitching is a beautiful thing. In this class, there will be plenty of it!

Kit/Materials Fee (payable to instructor at class time):

• $10.00 includes:
• Class Handout & Patterns
• Torches & Fuel
• Fire Bricks & Heat Resistant Surfaces
• Quenching Bowls & Pliers
• Dremel Tool & Bits
• Safety Glasses
• Face Masks & Disposable Gloves
• Metal Design & Letter Stamps
• Chisels, Center Punch & Dimple Pliers
• Texture Hammers & Brass Mallets
• Patina Solutions & Finishing Wax
• Disc Cutters, Dapping & Swaging Blocks
• Pickle

Student should bring:

• Nickel Silver, Brass, Jewelers Bronze, or Copper Sheet Metal, 24-26 gauge, at least 2-3"x6" pieces of any
• Sterling Silver Wire (Half-Hard), 20 gauge (for ear wires)
• Sterling Silver, Jewelers Bronze, or Copper Wire, 26, 24, 22 &/or 20 gauge for lacing (amounts of each will vary upon number & type of earrings or focal you choose to design-PLEASE patina ALL wire before class!)
• Jewelers Saw & Blades (#4/0, 3/0 or whatever you like to use)
• Foam Sanding Pads or Block, Fine Grit (see sanding pads, etc.) / or at your local hardware store
• Synthetic Steel Wool, 000 (see steel wool) or 000 steel wool, at your local hardware store
• Bench Pin & Clamp
• Metal Jewelry Files, #2 (half-round or flat)
• Needle Files, flat, half-round & round
• Pliers, Chain-Nose, Flat-Nose & Round Nose
• Nylon Jaw Bracelet Bending Pliers (see pliers)
• Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8mm & 1.50 mm or 1.25mm (I will have one of each to share in class)
• Bail Making Pliers (approx. 7mmx9mm. I will have one to share in class) (see pliers here) or (here)
• Ball Peen Hammer
• Rawhide or Plastic Mallet
• Steel Bench Block & Rubber Bench Block or Small Towel
• Metal Awl or Scribe
• Wire Rounder Set or Cup Bur (see bur here) or (here)
• Black Permanent Marker, Ultra-Fine
• Ruler & Scissors
• Pencil with eraser

Optional:

• Etched or Textured Nickel Silver, Brass, Jewelers Bronze or Copper Sheet Metal (I will have etched sheet metal for sale in class.)
• French Shears or Metal Shears (see shears)
• Nylon Jaw Bracelet Bending Pliers, Ex. (see pliers)
• Metal Jewelry File, #4 (half-round or flat)
• Butter Knife (old &/or used, without teeth for fold-forming. I will have 2 to share in class)
• Fretz Sharp Texturing Hammer (see hammer) or (here) or (here)
• Cut Lube (if you use it)
• If you are making a necklace, you might want to bring your choice of chain, along with pearls, beads and/or gemstones, to wire wrap.
• Work Light, (battery operated suggested or bring an extension cord)
• Optivisors (if needed)
• Ear Plugs (if needed)