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ARGENTIUM 3: Creation of a Pendant
Argentium 1, 2, and 3 is an in-depth, 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.
This class, Argentium 3, is a three-session virtual class that builds on the knowledge and techniques garnered in the previous two classes by combining fabrication, fusion, and simple stone setting in the creation a dazzling gemstone pendant. Techniques such as granulation, bezel fusion, bail fabrication, and pendant design will be thoroughly covered, leaving students with a deep reservoir of possibilities for creative application within their own artistic practice. This class is open to those who have previously taken Argentium 1 and 2, as well as anyone with some basic experience in Argentium fabrication and fusion.
In session 1, students will focus on making granules, choosing a stone, bezel fusion, and design and layout. In session 2, students will continue to create the pendant, combining roll printing, fusing bezels and granules to backing sheet, and delving into order of operations for fusing and soldering. In session 3, the final session for this class, Paulette will illuminate tips and tricks for clean-up and stone setting, in addition to discussion and demos for adding gold to enhance the overall appeal of completed pendants and other Argentium pieces!
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:
- 1 x 2x2 inches of 22ga sheet Argentium silver (RioGrande)
- 1 x 1 ft (minimum) of 12ga Argentium round wire (RioGrande)
- 1 x 1 ft (minimum) of 14ga Argentium round wire (RioGrande)
- 1 x 1 ft (minimum) of 20ga round Argentium wire (RioGrande)
- 1 x 6 inches (minimum) of 3/16" 28ga Argentium (bezel) strip (RioGrande)
- 1 x 2x2 inches of medium sheet argentium solder (RioGrande)
- 1 x 1pt of purple flux (RioGrande)
OLD LIST
- 1 x 3" x Argentium® sheet - 24g, dead soft (RioGrande)
- 1 x 3" x Argentium® sheet - 22g, dead soft (RioGrande)
- 12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 16g (RioGrande)
- 12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 18g (RioGrande)
- 6" wire or 1" sheet x Argentium® solder - medium (RioGrande)
- 6" x Argentium® bezel strip - 28g (RioGrande)
Basic Hand Tools:
- 1 x round nose pliers (RioGrande)
- 1 x chain nose pliers (RioGrande)
- 1 x flat nose pliers (RioGrande)
- 1 x snips / flush cutters (RioGrande)
- 1 x jewelers saw (RioGrande)
- 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (RioGrande)
- 1 x burlife / bee's wax (RioGrande)
- 1 x bench pin (RioGrande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (RioGrande)
Basic Home Studio:
- 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (RioGrande)
- 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (RioGrande)
- 1 x half round forming pliers (RioGrande)
- 1 x center punch (RioGrande)
- 1 x scribe (RioGrande)
- 1 x ring clamp (RioGrande)
- 1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (RioGrande)
- 1 x riveting hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x chasing hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x steel block / steel surface (RioGrande)
- 1 x small steel ruler (RioGrande)
- 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
- 1 x calipers - optional / nice to have (Amazon)
- 1 x dividers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
- 1 x sanding sticks - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
- 1 x parallel pliers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
Basic Forming Tools
- 1 x planishing hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x ball peen hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x brass hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x ring mandrel (RioGrande)
- 1 x bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm (RioGrande)
- 1 x bracelet mandrel (RioGrande)
- 1 x dapping set - steel or wood (RioGrande or RioGrande)
Basic Soldering/Torch Set-up:
- 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 compressed charcoal block - hard (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 3rd arm (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 Ronda's purple flux (Rio Grande)
- 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
Other/miscellaneous items:
- hard work surface
- fan and open window - or ventilation system
- safety glasses
- pencil, Sharpie, notebook
- rags/towels