Wildacres Summer Workshop 2013
"Moving Metal : Fold Forming"
with John Cogswell
Exploit the incredible malleability of metal while simultaneously toning up your arm muscles and working out your anger and frustration! Fold-forming, a technique developed by Charles Lewton-Brain, employs the selective stretching of a folded piece of metal (usually with a hammer, occasionally with a rolling mill) to generate a diverse range of elegant, volumetric, three-dimensional forms which are virtually impossible to create by any other method. These forms, which require no soldering to produce, are lightweight yet structural, and are ideally suited to a wide range of jewelry and metalsmithing applications.
with John Cogswell
Exploit the incredible malleability of metal while simultaneously toning up your arm muscles and working out your anger and frustration! Fold-forming, a technique developed by Charles Lewton-Brain, employs the selective stretching of a folded piece of metal (usually with a hammer, occasionally with a rolling mill) to generate a diverse range of elegant, volumetric, three-dimensional forms which are virtually impossible to create by any other method. These forms, which require no soldering to produce, are lightweight yet structural, and are ideally suited to a wide range of jewelry and metalsmithing applications.
"Trapping Objects"
with Joanna Gollberg
Jewelry can be a way to display and "preserve" many varieties of items - from gemstones to found objects. In this workshop we will discuss several ways of trapping objects in jewelry and students will be asked to bring items they would like to trap. We will use various methods: prong setting, tab setting, bezel setting, and sewing as well as various materials: Plastic, metal, cloth, thread, and screen. All levels of skill are welcome, but basic metalsmithing skills are required.
with Joanna Gollberg
Jewelry can be a way to display and "preserve" many varieties of items - from gemstones to found objects. In this workshop we will discuss several ways of trapping objects in jewelry and students will be asked to bring items they would like to trap. We will use various methods: prong setting, tab setting, bezel setting, and sewing as well as various materials: Plastic, metal, cloth, thread, and screen. All levels of skill are welcome, but basic metalsmithing skills are required.
BRONZclay, PMC, & Enameling PMC:
"A New Jewelry Adventure"
with Janet Harriman
Metal Clay is magical...BRONZClay is Janet's specialty. Students will explore metal clay in a five day creative journey. Many aspects of BRONZclay will be covered including: designing and working with the raw clay, carving, setting stones, adding final touches to leather-hard clay, firing the metal clay and lastly hammering and finishing the bronze metal. Sculptural jewelry construction will also be a focus. If students prefer, they can work with PMC. Enameling PMC with lead-free enamels will be included. Students will complete wearable jewelry. Students must have basic metalsmithing and jewelry skills to attend this class.
"A New Jewelry Adventure"
with Janet Harriman
Metal Clay is magical...BRONZClay is Janet's specialty. Students will explore metal clay in a five day creative journey. Many aspects of BRONZclay will be covered including: designing and working with the raw clay, carving, setting stones, adding final touches to leather-hard clay, firing the metal clay and lastly hammering and finishing the bronze metal. Sculptural jewelry construction will also be a focus. If students prefer, they can work with PMC. Enameling PMC with lead-free enamels will be included. Students will complete wearable jewelry. Students must have basic metalsmithing and jewelry skills to attend this class.
"Rings 360°"
with Timothy Lazure
Adorning the finger has been a tradition for ages. Rings are loaded with historical meaning. They can symbolize love /marriages, evoke nostalgia, embody authority or status, and portray accomplishments or affiliations. They can be made for everyday use or for special events. They can be understated or fancifully flamboyant.
This class will explore jewelry design, fabrication, stone setting, and assembling techniques that are related to the ring concept. We will fashion rings of personal importance, expression, and adornment. The class will center around lecture and demonstration with plenty of time for individual attention. We will attempt to create rings that are unpredictable, honest, visually complex, bold, confident, simple and beautiful. Students must have basic metalsmithing skills.
with Timothy Lazure
Adorning the finger has been a tradition for ages. Rings are loaded with historical meaning. They can symbolize love /marriages, evoke nostalgia, embody authority or status, and portray accomplishments or affiliations. They can be made for everyday use or for special events. They can be understated or fancifully flamboyant.
This class will explore jewelry design, fabrication, stone setting, and assembling techniques that are related to the ring concept. We will fashion rings of personal importance, expression, and adornment. The class will center around lecture and demonstration with plenty of time for individual attention. We will attempt to create rings that are unpredictable, honest, visually complex, bold, confident, simple and beautiful. Students must have basic metalsmithing skills.
"The Fine Art of Carving Gemstones"
with Helen Serras-Herman
During this workshop we will learn about the Fine Art of Gem Sculpture, a complex art form that combines Sculpture, Lapidary, Gemology and Jewelry. Helen will demonstrate techniques of the art of carving gems, discuss the gem materials utilized, show all the necessary tools, and give you an idea of how all that is reflected in the value of the artwork. We will create some simple but beautiful freeform carvings on hard gemstones, such as agate and cornelian, and try some intaglio or cameo carving. We will start with the carving process, followed by the sanding procedures and the final polish of the gemstones.
We will also discuss concepts of the design, from the subject theme and the functionality of carving to selecting gem rough, and the workmanship qualities to look for in a carved gem.
with Helen Serras-Herman
During this workshop we will learn about the Fine Art of Gem Sculpture, a complex art form that combines Sculpture, Lapidary, Gemology and Jewelry. Helen will demonstrate techniques of the art of carving gems, discuss the gem materials utilized, show all the necessary tools, and give you an idea of how all that is reflected in the value of the artwork. We will create some simple but beautiful freeform carvings on hard gemstones, such as agate and cornelian, and try some intaglio or cameo carving. We will start with the carving process, followed by the sanding procedures and the final polish of the gemstones.
We will also discuss concepts of the design, from the subject theme and the functionality of carving to selecting gem rough, and the workmanship qualities to look for in a carved gem.
"Ladies & Gentlemen: ChooseYour Metal-
Granulating a Cylinder Bead"
with Patricia Tschetter
Beads have been part of human ornamentation for thousands of years and have been produced in a variety of materials. Although ancient in design, the cylinder bead has a place in contemporary jewelry both as a focal point and as a solitary element.
This workshop will focus on the creation of a metal cylinder bead from sheet metal that may have wire work and granulation. Each student will choose a metal: 22kt gold, fine silver or argentium® silver as the basis for their bead. Students will be challenged to add wire embellishments and granulation to their bead with an emphasis on granulation. The 22kt and fine silver beads are for advanced students, although argentium® can be used by any student of any skill level. This class requires students to have a minimum of basic sawing, filing and soldering skills.
Granulating a Cylinder Bead"
with Patricia Tschetter
Beads have been part of human ornamentation for thousands of years and have been produced in a variety of materials. Although ancient in design, the cylinder bead has a place in contemporary jewelry both as a focal point and as a solitary element.
This workshop will focus on the creation of a metal cylinder bead from sheet metal that may have wire work and granulation. Each student will choose a metal: 22kt gold, fine silver or argentium® silver as the basis for their bead. Students will be challenged to add wire embellishments and granulation to their bead with an emphasis on granulation. The 22kt and fine silver beads are for advanced students, although argentium® can be used by any student of any skill level. This class requires students to have a minimum of basic sawing, filing and soldering skills.