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Embellishing Jewelry with Handmade Prong Settings
Through fabrication methods and proper soldering techniques, students will learn how create a wire prong setting to trap objects in their jewelry. We’ll also learn a variety of soldering techniques (such as sheet & wire applique, open filigree wire work, and simple kinetics) which will help students add surprising and delightful details to their work. Many other short cuts, tips & tricks, and techniques will be covered as we go along! Soldering small to large components will be a major part of this class. Students should be prepared with ideas of jewelry designs they want to complete or the instructor can give assignments.
Please note: We will only be using a torch with two gases in this class, such as the Smith Little Torch or the Meco torch. Be prepared to have a mind-blowing experience time working with this tool!
Meet the instructor
Joanna received her A.A.S. in Jewelry Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1997. She has been a self-employed studio jeweler for 20 years, selling her work at craft & jewelry galleries and fine craft shows in the US. She has authored four books on making jewelry (all published by Lark Books), and her work been included in numerous publications, such as Metalsmith Magazine, Ornament Magazine, 20th Century Jewelers, and 500 Wedding Rings. She teaches jewelry making for metalsmithing groups, Craftsy.com, and craft schools, such as Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont, and Haystack Craft School.
Materials & Tools
Due to the open-ended nature of this workshop, students are expected to be responsible for their own materials for this workshop. Suggestions for materials for this workshop include:
- Sterling Silver:
- Half round wire of a variety of thicknesses
- Flat wire in a few sizes. I like 8 x 2mm, 5 x 2mm, and 3 x 2mm
- 20g, 22g, or 24g sheet (1 x 2”, but it depends on what you want to make!!)
- Round wire in a variety of sizes and lengths (20g, 18g, 16g, 12g)
- Beads, found objects, and stones
- Any decorated sheet, doo-das, or wire you already have
- Easy and hard 22g wire solder, 5 feet each http://www.riogrande.com/Product/silver-wire-solder-22-ga/101707
- Any other metal sheet or wire you want to use—brass, copper, nickel, bronze.
- Saw and size 3/0 blades (I like Laser Gold brand from Rio)
- Flex shaft accessories, including screw mandrel and split mandrel
Please do not fret about exact amounts or not having everything! It always, always works out. Bring what you have on hand if you are not sure what to get.
Bring your regular jewelry-making tools. A basic kit is all you’ll need, as everyone is great about sharing and there is always plenty of tools to go around. If you are brand-new to making jewelry, Metalwerx has plenty of tools available for shared use.
Items could include:
- Files-needle nose and large flat and large half-round
- Advantedge wheels: black (medium grit) and white (coarse grit)
- Pumice wheels
- Chain-nose pliers, Flat-nose pliers, round-nose pliers
- Steel ruler
- Scribe
- Drill bits
- Chasing hammer & raw hide/delrin/plastic hammer
- Parallel pliers (if you have them)
- Plastic-coated jaw pliers (if you have them)
The instructor will be bringing special soldering blocks for sale at $10 each. You will want one!