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Flat to Form: Volume with Sheet Metal
In this engaging demo-focused virtual workshop, students will delve into the remarkable versatility of a single sheet of metal, leaving with the skills to achieve an array of stunning volumetric creations.
Throughout each session, we will demonstrate a wide range of techniques for imbuing your jewelry and metal pieces with dimension and depth. Focusing primarily on sheet metal, the class will explore methods such as slot and key construction, as well as drilling, sawing, bending, and delicate shaping, all geared toward achieving various shapes and volumes.
Furthermore, we will delve into hot fabrications in addition to exploring cold fabrication techniques, both of which can later be combined with enamel work, patination techniques, and added to numerous jewelry formats. By the end of this workshop, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to craft metal pieces that truly stand out - pun intended!
No special equipment will be necessary, as this class is geared towards those who are building their workshop/studio and looking to expand their skills and understanding of how metal can be shaped and formed. Using the tools you have available, we will utilize creative problem solving avenues for fabricating beautiful, voluminous pieces of jewelry.
Meet the instructor
Jennifer Wells is a studio artist and educator originally from the U.S but currently living in Italy. She holds an MFA, in Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design and has completed artist-in- residencies at: Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN, Pocosin Arts in Columbia, NC and the Jentel Foundation near Banner, WY. She has worked for several U.S based Craft Schools, in a variety of roles.
As an educator, Jennifer has taught for and been a visiting Artist at Universities throughout the U.S and for study abroad programs based in Italy. She serves on the Board of Vita Institute and teaches short workshops on various enameling and metalsmithing techniques throughout Europe and the U.S. In recent years she has curated multiple international exhibitions focused on jewelry and enameling.
Her works are in the collections of the Enamel Arts Foundation, Racine Museum, All Russian Museum of Decorative Arts, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Yale University Art Gallery, Crocker Art Museum and Private Collections.
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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6"x6" copper sheet - 20g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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6"x6" copper sheet - 24g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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1-2 feet x round wire - 14g (Rio Grande)
A soldering setup:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x Solderite™ pad or fire bricks (Rio Grande)
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1 x torch - any traditional jewelers torch (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 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
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1 x cross lock tweezers (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 - hard, medium, and easy (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - for non-ferrous metals (Rio Grande)
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1 x crock pot or tempered glass container - for pickle (Amazon)
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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
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 flat 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, 6/0, and 8/0 (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 drill bits - #65 (Rio Grande)
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1 x drill bits - #69, #76 - optional (Rio Grande)
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1 x set of needle files - #2 or #3 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
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1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
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1 x riveting hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x chasing or ball pein hammer (Rio Grande, Home Depot)
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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 sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
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1 x sanding sticks / paint stirs (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring mandrel (Rio Grande, Otto Frei, Contenti)
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1 x 8" half round extra course rasp or file (Home Depot)
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1 x calipers - optional (Amazon)
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1 x dividers - optional (Rio Grande)
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1 x parallel pliers - optional (Rio Grande)
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1 x line chasing tool - optional (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
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6-10"x6" deep x hardwood block or stump (local lumberyard)
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particulate dust mask
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eye protection
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old tooth brush
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green scrubby pad
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ajax/bar keepers friend/pumice based cleaner