-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
Pattern, Form, Texture: Designing with Botanicals
This 5-day master class will examine the design structures borrowed from botany. Interpret, translate, and design using motifs such as twigs, leaves, vines, and blossoms to create unusual pieces of jewelry. Techniques such as tapering, fusing, forging, and fabrication in Argentium will be demonstrated as well as larger design discussions for creating form and dimension, while addressing applications of color through patina formulas, guilder's paste, and enameling. Students will be asked to consider the forms in nature that most inspire them, and to draw from those forms, colors, and textures to create their naturally inspired jewelry.
Meet the instructor
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
Paulette will have a variety of argentium wire gauges, sheet metal, gemstones, and pearls for sale during the class. Students can choose to purchase what they need for their projects throughout the class.
-
closed toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx Studio
-
sheet metal and wire you'd like to work with
-
saw blades
-
a selection of natural materials (branches, leave, insects, flowers, etc)
-
stones, pearls, and found objects you may like to incorporate into your designs.
-
pieces in progress, failures that need help, and questions.
Note: The Metalwerx studio has many of the following tools available for use during class but if you have your own, you can bring them along so you don't have to share:
-
pliers: round nose, needle nose, half round/flat, flat jaw, and flush cutting pliers
-
220, 320, and 400 grit sanding sticks
-
files, including a coarse file with handle for cleaning up tapers
-
jeweler's saw
-
favorite planishing or forging hammer - If you have one
-
sketch book for taking notes