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Student Level: All levels
Type of Workshop: Project
Prerequisite: None
Workshop Category: Jewelry, Metal-working, Wire-working

Looking for an alternative to the typical bezel setting? In this class I'll show you how to create a basket weave, prong setting that's both gorgeous and unique. This setting would be suitable for a ring or a pendant, but we'll be working on rings. You'll learn how to prepare and texture a ring blank, build prongs and weave a "nest" for the setting. This setting is particularly good for irregularly shaped stones and objects, or stones that don't have a flat back. Techniques covered will be sawing, filing, texturing, silver soldering, drawing a bead on heavy gauge wire, annealing and hardening metal, patina and weaving.

Bring several cabochons, stones and/or objects suitable for a ring (see photos) and measure approximately 30mm by 35mm or smaller. I will have some stones and fossils for purchase, in class.

Please email me with questions. (See below)

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

• $15.00 includes:
• Texture hammers
• Texture materials
• Silver solder
• Flux
• Trays
• Pliers
• 0000 steel wool
• Saw blades
• Torches
• Fuel
• Soldering picks
• Pickle
• Patina
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Paper towels
• Wrap-n-tap pliers
• Ring mandrel

Student should bring:

• 20 gauge sterling sheet metal: final measurement is approx. 3" by 1/2" but bring enough metal for two...(no sheet sterling is necessary for pendants)...we will be sawing in class
• 14 or 16 gauge, dead soft sterling wire, 1 foot per ring. Copper may be substituted (I prefer 14 ga.)
• 22 gauge, dead soft sterling wire; at least 12 feet per ring. Copper may be substituted
• Several cabochons, stones and/or objects approx. 30mm by 35mm
• Chain-nose jewelry pliers
• Flat-nose jewelry pliers
• Nylon-jaw pliers
• Flush cutters for wire (craft store type)
• Jewelers saw
• Bench pin (small clamps for bench pin are optional but great to have in class)
• Small (12 oz) rubber dead blow hammer or rawhide mallet
• Steel bench block
• Bench pillow (or hand towel) for use under bench block
• Metal file, fine (#0 or #2)
• Awl
• Foam sanding block, fine grit
• Fine-point Sharpie
• Pencil
• Scissor
• Battery powered work light-REQUIRED

Optional:

• Wrap-n-Tap pliers; large size
• Ring mandrel
• Texture hammers; sharp texturing hammer
• Ear plugs