Tag: class

Review and practice metalsmith skills in a fun and informative class, transforming sheet metal and wire into wearable art. The shaping, forming, texturing, and joining of sheet metals are techniques quite different from the same in metal clays. For those accustomed to working with the latter medium, getting back to the fundamentals of metalsmithing is very refreshing!

Skills include sawing basic shapes, drilling and piercing sheet metal to create bezels, and make holes for decorative rivets and ear wires. Also, shape and solder bezel wire in fabricating a cabochon setting. Texture with a hammer, using best practices to achieve consistency throughout. And more!

Intermediate level for this project includes the following:
— Round, not teardrop, cabs
— 1-2 jump rings connecting the copper to bezel setting
— 3-4 handmade rivets
— Can have a hole for the ear wire connection

Advanced level can include 1-4 of the following:
— Round or oval cabochons
— Up to 2 jump rings connecting copper to the bezel setting
— Up to 5 rivets
— Soldered ear wire instead of a hole

Please Read: The class fee shown above does not include any materials. You will be charged for the materials the day of the class. All materials and tools for classes must be purchased at Beadoholique Bead Shop. This allows us to continue providing you with quality classes.

Materials Needed (purchase day of class): Sterling silver sheet, 24-gauge Copper sheet, 24-gauge (also needed to practice texture, if not using rolling mill) 2 cabochons, 6mm or 8mm Fine silver bezel wire, minimum 3″ Fine silver wire, 20-gauge, round, 6″ (rivets) Sterling silver wire, 20-gauge, 6″ (ear wires or you may purchase pre-made) Sterling silver wire, 21-gauge, 6″ (jump rings or you may purchase pre-made) Soldering Tools Needed: Jumbo Hand Torch Butane (refined, available at Spec’s) Soldering pan and pumice Metal pan to hold soldering pan (Hobby Lobby) Soldering block (charcoal, vermiculite, fire brick, etc.) Flux and brush (small to medium size) Solder: hard, medium, and/or easy (we’ll use 2 of 3) Soldering tweezers (to pick up piece for rinsing) Locking tweezers for soldering and making ball-end wire Water dish for your soldering station (provided by shop) Smithing Tools Needed: Bench pin with clamp Metal shears for general cutting of sheet Scribe for marking metal Steel block Sandbag for under steel block, or wash rag, small towel Divot (center) punch (not the automatic punch) Jeweler’s saw and blades (size 3×0 or 4×0) Saw blade lube Metal files, regular size (6″ long) Large flat file (#2 recommended general purpose for quicker removal of metal), optional Hallmark punches, optional Bench hammer (all-purpose) Ball-peen hammer for making a dimpled texture Riveting hammer Multi-face texture hammer, optional Rawhide or nylon mallet for flattening out curved metal Drill bits for rivet holes: to fit 20-gauge wire (.032″ or #65 bit) Pin vise with larger drill bits for smoothing out drilled holes Mini needle file or narrow pointed diamond bit to slightly widen rivet holes Old credit card or hotel key card for making riveting spacer Wire cutters Soft-jawed pliers, large or small, or both, optional Pliers — bring pliers you use for making ear wires and jump rings, such as: flat nose pliers, wide and tapered round nose pliers ear wire pliers (loop maker-one round jaw and one flat jaw) Ear wire mandrel, optional Ring clamp or universal vise, if preferred for setting stones, optional Bezel pusher (flat square end) or rocker Burnishers Polishing attachments for flex shaft Magnifiers/readers are highly recommended for a successful class experience (even if you wear contacts or glasses)!

Techniques Used: Sawing, piercing, riveting, bezel making for cabochons, finishing and polishing Skill Level:  Intermediate to Advanced Prerequisite: Must have experience in metalworking and silversmithing Instructor: Shauna Three ways to sign up: Click here Send me an email Give me a call at 832-674-9005 PLEASE READ: You MUST bring tools that are on the lists to the left. We do NOT have loaners for you to use. If you do not have something on the list, then you may buy it prior to, or day of class. If the shop is sold out of a tool you need, then we can most likely come up with one that you can borrow during class.

Please Read: 

1. Classes will begin on time! All students must arrive early for class. Even if you have already purchased supplies for the class, it takes time for everyone to set up and settle in. Students arriving late will need to re-schedule. Please be respectful of others by arriving early for class.

2. All beads, materials, and tools are available for purchase at the bead shop. We appreciate you purchasing materials and tools at the bead shop so that we may continue offering you the best classes around.