Blanking and Silhouette Dies in Combination

Using combination Blanking/Silhouette dies is a perfect method to reproduce relief forms in metal and then quickly cut them out. The addition of carving in cast acrylic or making a mold in thermal reactive plastic allows for complexity and dimension. Students will learn how to make silhouette dies in both cast acrylic and Masonite for simple domed forms. They will carve reverse relief shapes in cast acrylic with specialized burs using a flexible shaft and make their own riffler files to refine those shapes. Thermal reactive plastics will be used to easily mold existing items to duplicate.

We will be using both the hydraulic press and Masonite die forming with chasing tools to form double side beads and small vessels. We will explore various ways of connecting including both soldering and cold connections, linkage systems and tab development. Jayne will share her unique engineering and assembly concepts and work with each student to design their own individual shapes. Students will have the choice of making blanking dies to cut out their shapes or simply focus on the forming processes.

 

 

Meet the instructor

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Nature provides an endless reference for imagination and invention. The linear quality of stems and the fullness of flower buds inspire my jewelry. I enjoy integrating mechanics with design, allowing each piece to function in a visually intriguing way. I work with multiples of the same shape engineering them to fit precisely giving an abstract impression of their botanical origin. Many years of metalsmithing have taught me the power of simplicity. My forms begin as flat metal shapes and arrive as small sculptures. Their complexity is in their conception as curving planes of origami.

Jayne Redman earned her B.F.A. in Jewelry and Silversmithing from Maine College of Art in 1977. She began her jewelry career in the fashion jewelry industry in New York as a design and production assistant. She started her own company, Jayne Redman Jewelry, in 1982. She has exhibited at numerous fine functional art shows and is represented by fine jewelry galleries and craft stores across the country. Her tools for Making Multiples are available on her website, www.jayneredmanjewelry.com. Jayne is a former faculty member of the Maine College of Art Department of Jewelry and Metals. She teaches workshops nationally and at her studio in Falmouth, Maine.

Materials & Tools

There is a $55 materials fee for this course, payable to the instructor on the first day. The kit materials will include cast acrylic sheets, masonite, thermal reactive plastic, Delrin and copper for practice pieces. Tools will include saw blades and needle files to make into Riffler files. She will also provide her Rotational Bench Pin for each student to use. If a student wishes to purchase a bench pin, they will be available at a special workshop price. Tool steel will also be available for purchase at $25.00 per sheet for those who want to make blanking dies.

Students should bring

(Rio Grande stock numbers are used for example)

  • Jeweler's saw frame (Metalwerx has these but you may bring your own if you prefer)
  • #3/0 Saw Blades - Original Laser Blades are recommended - at least 3 dozen to saw blanking dies
  • Files: half round hand file like  #114-928, wax file like #114-136, and assorted needle files.
  • Flush cutters #111-287
  • Dividers  #116-005
  • Scribe  #118-459.
  • Burs of all shapes and sizes - other than diamond burs
  • Bur-Life #117-003.
  • Chasing tools
  • Rubber Cement
  • Drawing materials: Plain white copy or inkjet paper, drafting compass
  • pencil and sharpener, eraser, ruler, fine Sharpie markers, scissors, exacto knife, plastic templates. 

Optional Student Supplies:

Summer with the Masters
Tuition
$400.00
Material Fees
Price
$55.00
Payable to instructor in class.
Instructor
Jayne Redman
Level
Intermediate and above
Location
Metalwerx
Length
  • 2 days
Schedule
  • July 13 - 14, 2016
    Daily
    10:00am – 5:00pm
Class Dates
  • July 13, 2016
  • July 14, 2016
 

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