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Forming with Hammers: Handwrought Pendants

When it comes to hammers and stakes, there is only one thing better than owning a set of Fretz tools--learning to make the most of them from the master and maker himself. Metalwerx is pleased to welcome Bill Fretz for a two day workshop on making handwrought pendants using concave and convex forming techniques. Learn this clean and easy way to add peaks and valleys to jewelry and holloware instead of using pitch for chasing & repousse techniques.

The first day of the workshop will begin with basic forming of convex and concave cuff bracelet shapes using stakes and hammers. The first jewelry projects will be the foundation to lead into fluted domed convex cuff bracelet. The second day will take the fluting and raising skills to craft a free form fluted pendant with a multiple bead units at the top. The aim of the workshop is to learn forming skills that will enable the craftsperson to use those techniques in their own personal designs.

For those not familiar with Fretz Tools, they have opened up a world of opportunity for forming many small custom shapes for bezels, hollow forms, rings, bracelets, and more. They are jewelry scale (much smaller than traditional forming stakes), easy to change out or mount to your bench, and are very affordable compared to larger stake sets that aren't perfect for small scale work.

If you'd like to see more of Bill's work, please visit his website fretzdesign.com.

Meet the instructor

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Bill Fretz began teaching himself jewelry his junior year in high school, followed by four years of jewelry and silversmithing training with Hans Christiansen at the School For American Craftsmen at R.I.T in Rochester New York. After graduating in 1969 with high honors, Bill was an instructor at The Cleveland Institute of Art under Fred Miller and John Paul Miller. It was the beginning of hammer and stake regrinding that would later lead to tool design.

 

Opening his first workshop in 1970 in St. Peters, Pa., Bill and his wife Marian, started a retail jewelry business. They moved to Kennebunkport, Maine in 1974, the same year both were in the World Silver Show in Mexico City. Recently, with three grants from the Maine Technology Institute, Bill first designed a set of miniature stakes for jewelers, followed by a line of hammers based on silversmithing scaled for jewelry.

 

 

The family tradition continues with their son, Jordan, who manufactures the hammer line in his workshop in Vietnam. Currently, Bill and Marian Fretz are designing their work in Bucksport, Maine

 

Materials & Tools

The materials fee for metal (and a few misc. abrasive supplies to use during class) is payable to the instructor at the workshop and estimated to cost TBD. Students will be working in brass to learn and practice each technique. Additional brass will be available for sale as necessary and time permitting.

All tools will be supplied for use during class. If students wish to purchase any of the Fretz forming tools, there will be opportunity to do so at the end of the workshop. Students enrolled will receive a discount on any tool purchases.

Students should bring
  • Paper, pen and notebook
  • 2/0 Blades
  • Sanding sticks, but Bill's favorite are these for use with emery strip, which he will have for students to try.
  • 5/8" x 1/4" Cratex Rubber Wheels in medium grit
  • 3/4" small cotton buffs for flex shaft and 1/8" mandrel

Optional: Metalwerx has the following items available for use during class, but you may have to share. Students are welcome to bring their own.

  • Work gloves
  • #2 Hand or Flat File
  • Earplugs - Metalwerx has ear muffs available but if you prefer plugs, please bring your own
  • Safety Glasses
  • Dust Mask
  • If you have any Fretz Stakes that you'd like to bring with you to use, you are welcome to but please make sure they are clearly labeled.
  • Steel Block
 

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