Floral Flares: Fancy Enamel Settings Made Simple - Virtual Workshop

In this live, online workshop, students will learn how to create unique bezel settings for safely setting stones onto enamel surfaces. Starting with a demonstration on how to plan and prepare your metal surface for enameling, the workshop will then guide students on constructing/prepping the settings, before moving on to how most effectively set them. A visual presentation at the end of day one will provide ample examples and inspiration. On day two students will learn how to safely insert and secure the stones settings into their enamel design and then finely finish them with a "floral flare". 

For practice and budget the use of copper for enameling is advised. Fine silver is recommended for settings and in a final pieces.

This course will consist of two sessions. There will be a no-class day between each session.

Class will be held live via Zoom during the designated time frames. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent via email.

Each session will be recorded and you will receive a password protected link to the recordings that will expire after 30 days. 

Please read the Materials & Tools tab! 

Meet the instructor

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Barbara Seidenath was born and raised in Munich, Germany. She studied Jewelry making at the State School for Glass and Jewelry in Neugablonz, Germany where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Goldsmithing, followed by a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich.

Seidenath has been on the teaching faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI for nearly three decades. She also taught at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and has been a faculty member at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has taught many seminars and workshops in the U.S. and abroad and has had her work shown in international solo and group exhibitions.

Seidenath's work has been seen at the American Craft Museum, New York City; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Design Museum of Munich, Germany. In 2002, Marjorie Simon wrote in Metalsmith Magazine "[Seidenath's work] is as delectable as the witch's house was to Hansel and Gretel. Putting it on would be like breaking the frozen surface and seeing the sun burst through again." Click here to read the full article: Bohemian Rhapsody - Importing Barbara Seidenath by Marjorie Simon [Metalsmith Magazine - Summer 2002]

Materials & Tools

Students will need to have the following materials in preparation for this online workshop. If you do not already have them, a suggested item and/or a vendor from which you can purchase these items has been provided below. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find or choose the item. The quantities you need for each item are listed first. Please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. Please order these materials as soon as possible due to longer than usual turn-around times. We recommend not opening the enclosed packaging until the day of the workshop.

You will need some enamels of your choice. The instructor recommends Thompson. ​

You will need firing tools and equipment throughout this course, for both soldering and enameling.

Forming tools and equipment. 

Metal materials that will be used to make your jewelry. 

Below are some suggested bezel cup sizes you can choose to work with - be sure to get stones that correspond with your chosen bezel size. 

  • 6mm fine silver bezel cup - round plain (Rio Grande)
  • 5mm fine silver bezel cup - round serrated (Rio Grande)
  • 4mm fine silver bezel cup - round serrated (Rio Grande)
  • 5mm copper bezel cup - round serrated (Rio Grande)
  • 6mm copper bezel cup - round serrated (Rio Grande)
  • 8x6mm copper bezel cup - oval serrated (Rio Grande)
  • stones that correspond with your bezel (Rio Grande)
Students should bring

You will also want to provide any of your own favorite enameling supplies and the following common studio items: 

  • dust mask
  • crock pot with pickle 
  • copper tongs - for pickle
  • brass brush or tooth brush - for cleaning metal
  • dish soap - for cleaning metal
  • bucket of water or sink
  • eye protection - for kiln / torch
  • glass containers - for mixing enamels
  • hammers - if you want textures
  • towels/rags
  • older file - if using miter jig
  • fan and open window - for ventilation
  • soldering pick
Virtual Course
Tuition
$150.00
Instructor
Barbara Seidenath
Level
Basic and above
Pre-requisites
Jewelry 1 and some enameling experience required
Location
Virtual - Eastern Time Zone
Length
  • 0 days
 

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