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    Pastel.botanical cuffs
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    Pastel.rings and bracelets
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    Pastel.pierced cuffs
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    Pastel.cutting image of cuff

Jewelry 101 - Part 1: Ring Making, Sawing, and Forming Techniques

Are you interested in learning jewelry fabrication or refreshing your foundational skills from your home studio? Look no further! We are now offering a virtual format for fundamental jewelry fabrication, soldering applications, and forming techniques! In Part 1, the first session will cover basic hand tools and soldering applications that are at the core of our craft practice.

Students will focus on making a series of rings in sterling silver that will not only spin but will be formed convex and concave using a dapping block, quickly teaching students ring making and forming skills. Additionally, the first session will cover ring sizing and soldering strategies.

The second session of Jewelry 101 – Part 1 will consist of sawing and piercing techniques to create a pierced cuff or pendant with an emphasis on filing techniques for exterior and interior applications. Aspiring jewelers will learn to load a jewelers saw, the differences in blade thickness, how to drill metal properly to create pierced work and how to form sheet metal into a bracelet.

Both sessions of Part 1 will go over correct finishing techniques with rotary machines such as a flex shaft, to bring their projects to a professional quality. Basic patina applications for metal will also be discussed as well as various hammering techniques for textures.

Meet the instructor

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Deanna Pastel was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2010 she received her BFA in Jewelry/Metals from Kent State University. Upon graduating, she was offered a position as a bench jeweler and trainer at Heather B. Moore Inc. in Cleveland, OH. This is where she began fine-tuning her skills in soldering gold, setting stones and hand stamping on silver and high end gold jewelry works. 

In 2012 she landed in Austin, TX, and began her career as one of the main teachers and as the studio director/coordinator at Creative Side Jewelry Academy. She spent 2012-2017 developing the school’s core curriculum, while working closely with other master artists and her students.

In 2018 she was granted an apprenticeship to spend two months working alongside artist Victoria Lansford doing macro chasing and repousse, and became a presence both artistically and professionally for the Society of North American Goldsmiths. For the past three years, she has expanded to teaching at multiple schools and colleges around the Austin and San Antonio area providing eclectic and diverse course offerings at all levels of experience. She also continues to work at her bench in her home studio doing commissions, custom and repair work, as well as her personal artworks.

Materials & Tools

$65 supply kit will be sent to the shipping address you have listed on your Metalwerx account. Kits will be mailed out a week prior to class. If you register after this date, the kit can still be mailed to you, but may not arrive by the workshop start date. Please inform us if you reside outside of the US, as your shipping cost will differ and may need to be expedited. Kit includes the following items:

  • 6"x10mm x sterling silver sheet - 20g

  • 6" x round sterling silver wire - 14g

  • 6" x square sterling silver wire - 14g

  • 2"x6" x copper sheet - 20g

  • 2"x6" x brass sheet - 20g

  • 2"x2" x saw template - 20g

  • 2"x2" x sawing print out

  • 1 x slotted mandrel

  • 1 x sandpaper - 220, 400 grits

  • 1 x pink silicon knife edge

 

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.

 

Torch setup:

 

Hand tools:

 

Recommended finishing tools:

 

Optional items:

 

Other/miscellaneous items: 

  • hard work surface

  • fan and open window - or ventilation system

  • safety glasses 

  • pencil, ultra fine sharpie, notebook

  • rags/towels

  • small brush / q-tips

 

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