Join Richard Salley for a special intensive cold-connection workshop. Whether you are an experience art jeweler or looking for your first class in jewelry making, you’ll learn a wealth of tips, tricks and techniques that you can apply to your own jewelry and assemblage projects. The class will focus on creating a beautiful and intricate hinged locket that you will construct from a humble rusty washer, etched metal components, wire and your own hand crafted chain and clasp. Then you will apply what you’ve learned to create an additional pendant that incorporates Faux Bone as design element.
Day 1 – metal etching techniques. We will etch three separate designs on copper, brass and nickel silver. Several image transfer methods will be employed, including rubber-stamping, acetone transfer, PnP transfer along with free-form design. We will also introduce the use of the jeweler’s saw, which we’ll use to make jump rings and to cut out the locket cover. The remainder of the day will focus on the fabrication and assembly of the locket. This will include rivet making, (solid wire, tubing, eyelets, and brads). Wire forming, wrapping, hardening and the use of wire staples, will be introduced as we build the framework that will hold the locket together and create the hinging mechanism. We will also investigate patina options for the locket cover.
Day 2 – pick up where we left off with the fabrication of the locket and will then focus on the construction of a hand-made chain and clasp on which you will hang the completed piece. We will examine several chain and clasp design options. By the end of Day 2 your project should be completed.
Day 3 – continue the fun with a challenge to create a new piece of your own design using one of the etched pieces from Day 1and combining that with Faux Bone. We will close the workshop with a chance to share in each other’s work with a review and critique.