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ARGENTIUM 1: Applications in Wire
Are you Argentium-curious? Learn everything you could possibly need to know about the Argentium silver alloy in this series with Paulette Werger!
Argentium 1, 2, and 3 is an in-depth, three-course series that is designed to introduce makers to the benefits of working with the silver alloy known as Argentium. Three separate class topics will focus on different techniques, tools, key attributes, and approaches using Argentium to develop confidence and mastery of this versatile material.
Argentium 1 – the first of the three-part series – will be a three-session virtual class that focuses on using Argentium silver wire, understanding the process of fusing in multiple gauge thicknesses to make a variety of work highlighting the element of line and line work. Students will explore point fusion, wire to wire fusion, and more to make chains, band rings, earrings, and bracelets.
Meet the instructor
Paulette Werger is a metalsmith and teacher who works in Lebanon, NH. She sells her work both nationally and internationally and is owner of Metalpeople East, a jewelry and hollow ware studio. She has taught metalsmithing at the University of WI, Montana State University, and at craft schools throughout the country.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials:
- 12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 20g (Rio Grande)
- 12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 18g (Rio Grande)
- 12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 16g (Rio Grande)
- 12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 14g (Rio Grande)
- 6" wire or 1" sheet x Argentium® solder - medium (Rio Grande)
- several inches of wooden dowels - 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" diameter
Torch setup:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (Rio Grande)
- 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
- 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
- 1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)
- 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
- 1 x small brush - for flux
- 1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Hand tools:
- 1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
- 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
- 1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x automatic center punch (Rio Grande)
- 1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
- 1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
- 1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
- 1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)
- 1 x brass hammer (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
- hard work surface
- fan and open window - or ventilation system
- safety glasses
- pencil, Sharpie, notebook
- rags/towels