• Image
    Werger.wire spoons
  • Image
    Werger.leaf spoons
  • Image
    Werger.puff and gold leaf spoon
  • Image
    Werger.wispy spoons
  • Image
    Werger.more solid spoons
  • Image
    Werger.little flower spoons
  • Image
    Werger.twisty spoons

Landscape of the Table: SPOONS

Spoons, Spoons, Spoons! One of the earliest dining utensils known to humankind!

Make one! This workshop focuses on the design and creation of objects for dining to make a variety of spoons. Techniques such as forging, forming, fabrication, fusing, soldering and surface embellishment will be demonstrated. 

Students will use the alloy Argentium silver in combination with other metals. Weekly discussions will address design, model making, the rich tradition of classical techniques as well as the practical shortcuts for working more efficiently.

 

Workshop Schedule:

Session One:

Types of Flatware, design discussion, choosing correct gauge and stock for flatware. What kind of spoon? Scale, materials, fusing vs. soldering.

Session Two:

Salt spoons, baby spoons, sugar spoon, dessert, cocktail stir spoon

forming a spoon bowl, fabrication demo for handles, tapering (using the rolling mill), forging round, filing, fusing, soldering to spoon bowl.

Session Three:

Finishing spoons, clean up, hardening. Questions / Show and Tell!

Meet the instructor

photo of

Paulette Werger is a metalsmith and teacher who works in Lebanon, NH. She sells her work both nationally and internationally and is owner of Metalpeople East, a jewelry and hollow ware studio. She has taught metalsmithing at the University of WI, Montana State University, and at craft schools throughout the country.

 

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:

  • 6" min. x Argentium® round wire - 10g dead soft (Rio Grande)
  • 6" min. x Argentium® round wire - 12g dead soft (Rio Grande)
  • 6" min. x Argentium® round wire - 14g dead soft (Rio Grande)
  • 2"x2" min. x Argentium® silver sheet - 20g dead soft (Rio Grande)
  • 1 pint x Ronda Purple Flux (Rio Grande)
  • 2"x1" min. x Argentium® solder - 30g medium (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x Medium green pumice wheel and mandrel for flex shaft (Rio Grande)

Hand tools:

Torch setup:

Other/miscellaneous items: 

  • hard work surface
  • fan and open window - or ventilation system
  • safety glasses 
  • pencil, Sharpie, notebook
  • rags/towels
  • baking soda
 

Stay Connected