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Pearls, Pearls, Pearls: Focal Point!
From the watery depths to our jewelry, the pearl has long been sought after and treasured in jewelry and adornment. The fascinating history of pearls is combined with practical making in this 3-session virtual class.
This live demo-based virtual class focuses on working with a variety of pearls of all shapes and sizes to create a focal point piece of jewelry! From drilled or half-drilled to undrilled and baroque, each session will focus on a particular approach to trapping and designing your pearl focal point jewelry. You'll explore how to make a cap, prong, bezel, or flat bearing setting for a pendant, neckpiece, or earrings. Paulette will be demonstrating in Argentium silver, fine silver, as well as 14KT and 18KT gold.
This is a perfect class for those with some experience and interest in refining their skills and learning shortcuts and new tips in fabrication and design. Powerpoint presentation combined with soldering, fabrication, and fusion tips and tricks will be demonstrated.
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
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 - 12g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 6" min. x Argentium® round wire - 16g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 6" min. x Argentium® round wire - 18g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 6" min. x Argentium® round wire - 20g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 2"x2" min. x Argentium® silver sheet - 22g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 1" min x 14KT Yellow Gold Bezel Wire - 30g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 1 pint x Ronda Purple Flux (Rio Grande)
- 2"x1" min. x Argentium® solder - 30g medium (Rio Grande)
- Pearl singles, pairs, half-drilled or fully-drilled
Hand tools:
- 1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
- 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
- 1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
- 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
- 1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
- 1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
- 1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
- 1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
- 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Rio Grande)
- 1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x sanding sticks (Rio Grande)
- 1 x parallel pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)
- 1 x dapping set - steel or wood (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack pumice wheels - medium (Rio Grande)
- 1 x screw mandrel (Rio Grande)
Torch setup:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (Rio Grande)
- 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
- 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
- 1 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 6” silver solder - medium (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 6” silver solder - easy (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)
- 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
- 1 x small brush - for flux
- 1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Other/miscellaneous items:
- hard work surface
- fan and open window - or ventilation system
- safety glasses
- pencil, Sharpie, notebook
- rags/towels
- baking soda