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Gold - Jim Richardson In this advanced class we will explore the characteristics of 14K gold in relation to jewelry. Working from pre-made stock, we will fabricate several pieces of jewelry using an oxy-propane torch and 14K Yellow gold to learn how the material differs from silver and what advantages it offers in construction and assembly. The student should be familiar with and comfortable with fabrication in silver. Pouring and milling your own stock will be covered later in the week, if anyone wishes to bring some gold to melt and learn this valuable skill. Material will be available from instructor.
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Silver I - Soldering Intensive - Jim Richardson This class will emphasize the fundamentals of soldering: how solder works and why. We will cover other aspects of basic silversmithing such as piecing with a saw and drill, as well as filing and finishing. The focus, however, will be to develop a thorough understanding of the process of soldering silver and copper. Through a series of projects, we will explore different methods of soldering and find the approach that best suits your style. You may expect to make rings, a pendant, and a pin in this informative and instructional class. Lab fee includes all materials necessary for the basic exercises (both copper and silver), solder, flux and use of the instructors tools.
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Silver II - Fold Forming - Jim Richardson Fold Forming, Anticlastic, and Synclastic Raising: This class will focus on the different ways to form metal. We will energetically explore the plastic nature of the material by stretching, compressing and using a variety of techniques such as fold forming, anticlastic raising and synclastic raising, along with the use of stakes, hammers and a variety of traditional forming methods. This is a fun class where forms spark inspiration and ideas spring forth as fast as you can hammer them into being. For the sake of economy, we will be using copper for most of the exercises though some silver will be available from the instructor. The idea of this class is to give you a vocabulary of forms and techniques to enrich your jewelry making experience. You will leave this class with an armful of copper sketches to augment your creativity. Although not a production class the opportunity exists to complete several jewelry items. Lab fee includes all of the copper needed for the class exercises, solder, flux and the use of the instructors tools.
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Silver III - Rings - Jim Richardson In this class, we will construct several rings of increasing complexity. These projects are planned to build your skill in design and fabrication while revealing some of the most popular solutions to issues in ring construction. Most of these rings will include gemstones in a variety of settings. We will be working primarily in sterling silver. Sterling and stones will be available from the instructor however, students may bring their own silver and are encouraged to provide their own stones. You may choose to bring your own gold for accents, as well, though this is not a class to learn to how to work in gold. Students should bring their own magnification and tools, although some are available from the School. Good eyesight and the ability to work under magnification are essential, as are steady hands, depth perception and manual dexterity. Good soldering skills are also required. Lab fee includes solder, saw blades, drill bits, flux and the instructors designs.
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Silver III - Stone Setting - Jim Richardson The practice of setting gemstones can range from simple to complex. In this class, we will cover many of the popular setting types, including flush, bead, tube, bezel and prong. We will construct most of our settings from sheet and wire to enable you to work beyond the conventionally available commercial settings. This class is not about making finished jewelry, focusing instead on the art of setting gemstones using different methods. Good eyesight and soldering skills are a must, along with hand-eye coordination. Please bring a 7x or 10x Optivisor, or some other equivalent magnifier. Students are encouraged to bring their own stones for some mountings although all materials are provided. Lab fee includes silver, drill bits, solder, flux, synthetic gemstones and use of instructors tools.
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Silver III - Tool Making - Jim Richardson This class is in response to the numerous request from students who liked the tool making parts of other classes and thought Jim should dedicate one whole class to tools. Have you always wanted to make your own tools? We will be constructing some of the basic tools in the jewelers bench. Hammers, tongs, graver, prong pusher and forming punches, along with many others, will be included. Personalizing your tools will also be addressed, as well as form and function. The importance steel and its shaping and heat treatments will be covered, as well as the best materials for other tools. Lab fee covers tool steel for five stamps, round cooper bar for tongs and use of instructors tools.
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