Personalize Your Hammer: Creative Carving and Assembly Techniques

Up your hammer game! One of the more often used, and frequently most beloved tools on a craftsperson's bench is the hammer. This demo-focused virtual class will help participants learn more about basic hammer anatomy, how all the parts are put together, and ways to create a stellar personalized handle. Starting from scratch, we'll discuss which woods are the best choice for your hammer application. From there students will see examples of creative forming and surface techniques for wood, including lathe turning, and using common jewelers tools to shape a handle that's uniquely their own in form and contour.

Design considerations will be detailed and shown for the proper fit of a new or replacement hammer head, along with a historic wedging technique for locking the head in place. Before the class is over learn a few tips and tricks for finishes and feeding your handle.

 

Meet the instructor

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Jesse is a studio artist creating primarily sculptural jewelry which crosses the boundary of mediums by incorporating many different dynamic materials and techniques. In addition he has a strong interest and appreciation for fine hand made tools, spending a good portion of his time creating unique tools and equipment that help give the works distinction with delicate texture and design.   

 

 

Over the past 14 years Jesse has taught metalsmithing and jewelry techniques on a regular basis, to students of all skill levels in his private studio in San Miguel, as well as annual workshops in Mexico and other countries around the world.

 

 

 

 

Some recent exhibition venues include: The Palace of Iturbide, Mexico City; The amber Fair Legnica, Poland; The museum of Mining, Pachuca, Mexico; Alchemy 925, Massachusetts; Velvet da Vinci gallery, San Francisco; Museum of Art and Design, New York City.

 

 

 

 

Originally from the U.S, Jesse relocated to Mexico in 2006 after the completion of his MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from East Carolina University in North Carolina. "When I am not teaching or working on new pieces, I love to be outside. I tend to my bees and cactus collection or spend time exploring the Mexican countryside and hiking in the mountains." 

 

 

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 (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find 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 strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.

Metal/raw materials:

  • 1"x1"x12" x hobby wood (Hobby Lobby or other)

  • 3/16"x1"x4" x padauk wood strip (Ocooch)

Hand tools:

Other/miscellaneous items: 

  • hard work surface

  • fan and open window - or ventilation system

  • safety glasses 

  • dust mask

  • apron

  • pencil, Sharpie, notebook

  • rags/towels

  • baking soda

Virtual Course
Tuition
$150.00
Instructor
Jesse Bert
Level
Basic and above
Pre-requisites
Jewelry 1 skills required
Location
Virtual - Eastern Time Zone
Length
  • 2 days
Schedule
  • April 5 - 7, 2022
    Tuesday and Thursday
    6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class Dates
  • April 5, 2022
  • April 7, 2022
 

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