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Capturing Attention: Prongs, Baskets, Bezels, and more!
This 3-session Virtual Workshop focuses on unusual ways to trap cabochons, facetted gems, or pearls with a focus on small scale fabrication. Each session will highlight a particular style of capture, prong, basket, or open back bezel. This is a perfect class for those with some experience but need to refine their skills and learn shortcuts in fabrication and building settings. A variety of mounting styles will be demonstrated and design considerations discussed. Demonstrations will be done with Argentium, sterling silver, fine silver and 18KT gold. Soldering and fusion tips and tricks will also be demonstrated.
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:
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12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 20g, dead soft (Rio Grande)
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12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 18g, dead soft (Rio Grande)
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12" min. x Argentium® round wire - 16g, dead soft (Rio Grande)
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1" min. x Fine Silver bezel strip - dead soft (Rio Grande)
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6" x Argentium® bezel strip - 28g (Rio Grande)
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6" wire or 1" sheet x Argentium® solder - medium (Rio Grande)
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6" wire or 1" sheet x Sterling solder - medium (Rio Grande)
Basic Hand Tools:
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1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
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1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack saw blades - 4/0 (Rio Grande)
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1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
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1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
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1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
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1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
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1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
Basic Forming Tools:
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1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring mandrel (Rio Grande)
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1 x bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm (Rio Grande)
Basic Soldering/Torch Setup:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x compressed charcoal block - hard (Rio Grande)
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1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if using Silversmith (Rio Grande)
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1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
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1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
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1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - medium (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x crock pot or lidded glass container - for pickle (Amazon)
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1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)
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1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
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1 x small brush - for flux
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1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Other/miscellaneous items:
- Gem/Pearl/Cabochon to plan a setting for: faceted stone range 5-8mm, ovals 8x10