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Heavy Wall Settings
In this demo-focused virtual class students will be learning how to make large heavy wall settings with decoratively pierced backplates. The setting methods covered will be a combination of classic bezel setting and a bezel / tab combo variation. Students will gain experience in their fine piercing skills, setting technique, and cleaning up / refining the finish around stones. This class will follow along with the instructor as they make a folded bail pendant.
This class is sponsored by Rio Grande and a limited number of scholarships are available. Apply now!
Meet the instructor
"My passion for jewelry lies somewhere between contemporary and fine jewelry. I try to include elements from both worlds in my process.
I was born in Frederick, Maryland, and for as long as I can remember I have been an artist. It wasn’t until quite a few years after receiving my Bachelors in Fine Arts from James Madison University that I really found my passion in metals and jewelry. In this, I am happy to say that I exist as both an artist and a craftsperson.
My production work is meant to be fun. It is fun to design, to make, and should be fun to wear. In contrast, my custom work, mostly engagement and wedding jewelry, usually holds a lot of emotional weight. I enjoy working with non-traditional gems and urge my customers to think deeply about where their materials are coming from. My favorite pieces to work on are those that include materials sourced from vintage jewelry (specifically where gemstones are involved).
I now reside in Baltimore, Maryland, with my partner, our dog, and our two cats. I work as an Instructor and Youth Program Leader at the Baltimore Jewelry Center. Teaching allows me to share not only my techniques and knowledge of the craft but also my ethics and ideas about the world of jewelry in general. Teaching a young audience gives me such joy as most of these students have very little knowledge of the world of hand-crafted jewelry. I try to make the field as accessible as possible to these young artists because they are the ones who will shape the future of jewelry."
Go to www.mollyrosejewelry.com to see Molly's work!
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 (NOTE :
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3"x6" x copper or brass sheet - 20g (Rio Grande)
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1 x cabochon - 40mm x 30mm (Fire Mountain)
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1 x heavy nail - 4" to 5" (any hardware store)
Torch 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 / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or 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 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 (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - medium (Rio Grande)
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1 x 6” silver solder - easy (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or 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
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1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Hand tools:
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1 x round 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 - 2/0 and 6/0 (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 set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x center punch (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 hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
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1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
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1 x calipers (Amazon)
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1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
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1 x sanding sticks (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring mandrel (Rio Grande)
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1 x pumice flat-edge polisher wheel (Rio Grande)
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1 x screw mandrel (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
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hard work surface
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fan and open window - or ventilation system
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safety glasses
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pencil, Sharpie, notebook
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rags/towels
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strong masking tape
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paper
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rubber cement
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scissors