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    Dunnigan.knit nautils
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    Dunnigan.knit loops
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    Dunnigan.knit nautils with strands
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    Dunnigan.knit necklace
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    Dunnigan.knit earrings with pearls
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    Dunnigan.knit cicles and spiral
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    Dunnigan.knit bracelet
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    Dunnigan.knit earrings
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    Dunnigan.knit earrings silver and gold
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    Dunnigan.knit bracelets and earrings

Metal Knitting: From Chain Making to Expanded Forms

In this 3-day workshop Cheri will present her technique of knitting metal wire chains and the methods that she has developed to create larger expanded forms in precious metal! Once students become proficient with basic weave working, they will begin to explore how to control and expand their three-dimensional forms through a variety of means. Brooches, earrings, pendants, and more will all be possible format with which to work these techniques. Soldering, basic forming, and fabrication skills are a prerequisite to get the most out of this course.

Meet the instructor

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Cheri Dunnigan is a Master Goldsmith and nationally recognized landscape painter.

Cheri was born and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts.  Born with a creative drive and blessed with parents who recognized and nurtured both her artistic interests and creative ambitions, she was able to begin to develop her artistic talents from an early age.  Cheri made her first piece of jewelry at the age of 15.  That experience lit a passion and set the course of her studies over the next 7 years.  It led her to The Cleveland Institute of Art where she studied under John Paul Miller and earned a 5 year Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree specifically in Silversmithing.  Having majored in Silversmithing and jewelry design, she worked for many years as a designer craftsman. She owned and operated her own studio showroom in Hopkinton, Massachusetts for many years.

In 1998 Cheri was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. At that time having lost much of the strength and dexterity in her hands it became clear that she would not be able to continue metalsmithing.  At that time she turned her talents towards pastel painting, and with pastels found a new passion. Painting had atremendous therapeutic effect and before long she not only found herself launched into a new career, but also found that her condition went into a complete and lasting remission.

Today Cheri is thrilled to be working again in metal.  She has exhibited both her metalwork and paintings nationally and has won numerous awards.

Cheri’s work was represented for many years at The Ritz Carlton Beach Resort in Naples, Florida where she created exclusive one of a kind and limited production jewelry for their Gallery clientele.  During the pandemic she redirected her attention to the innovative textile techniques that she had begun to develop several years earlier, and a new direction and compelling body of work has been the result moving Cheri’s work beyond jewelry and into larger scale sculptural forms. Cheri’s work is now represented by Method and Concept Gallery in Naples, Florida.

Materials & Tools

There is a $35 materials fee for this course which is payable to Metalwerx upon registration. The materials kit fee covers copper wire (26g, 22g), brass wire (26g, 22g), sterling silver wire (18g), pocket scribe, and other miscellaneous consumables needed for workshop objectives.

Students should bring

If students wish to work in silver, the instructor requests students bring the following:

  • 3 ozt x 26g sterling silver round wire - dead soft

  • 3 ozt x 22g sterling silver wire round wire - dead soft

  • 12" x 18g round sterling silver wire

    • 24g is also very useful

  • medium solder

  • easy solder

 

NOTE: Metalwerx has many of the following tools for communal use, but we recommend you bring your own / extra if you have them or if you do not want to wait to use a communal tool / item. Items marked with an asterisk (*) will be in particularly low quantities for sharing and we strongly recommend you bring your own if you have them. 

  • charcoal block*

  • solder snips

  • pair of fine pointed needle nose pliers

  • pair of fine pointed round nose pliers

  • pair of chain nose pliers

  • good pair of flush cutting pliers

  • cross locking tweezers for soldering x 2*

  • soldering tweezers

  • safety glasses

  • magnification

  • studio apron

  • studio towel

  • notebook or sketchpad

  • pen or pencil

  • closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio

  • lunch - Metalwerx has a fridge, toaster oven, and microwave

 

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