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Fabricating Beads and Hollow Forms
Beads have been around for centuries and come in various mediums, shapes and sizes. They are used as a decorative element in modern fashion and can be incorporated into everything from earrings, a centerpiece for a necklace, or even woven into fabric. This workshop will explore the process of making beads from metal sheet, tubing and wire. Demonstrations will be given on the double dome bead, square beads, decorated tube beads and more. The second half of this workshop will focus on making plastic dies to be used in the hydraulic press and create organic three-dimensional hollow forms. There will be a strong emphasis on soldering and finishing hollow forms. Many hints and tips will be shared. Handouts for processes will be provided.
Meet the instructor
Lauren Anabela Beaudoin is a Salvadoran born metalsmith, craft educator and sole proprietor of Creative Dexterity. After taking her first metalsmithing class as a teen, Lauren knew this was a passion she wanted to pursue. This led her to the Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she earned her BFA in metals. Working primarily in sterling silver and other copper alloyed metals, her designs investigate shape, depth and kinetic movement. Her latest series explores color and texture through the patination process. Lauren has been featured in Macworld Magazine, Bella Armoire Jewelry and in the book Retrash. She currently resides in Western Massachusetts where she is an active studio artist. For more information about her work, visit her website at creativedexterity.com and follow her on Instagram (@creativedexterity).
Materials & Tools
There is a $35 materials fee for this workshop that is payable upon registration. The materials kit for this workshop includes various gauges of copper and brass sheet and tubing as well as tools necessary to complete the projects.
Students are invited to bring sterling silver sheet with them if they wish to work in silver during the workshop. Recommended gauges for making beads are 18g and 20g, and 22g and 24g for die forming.