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Sterling Silver and Resin Inlay
Resin inlay is a quick and easy way to create jewelry with a striking, colorful, or illustrative aesthetic without the need for a kiln. When resin is combined with sterling silver and essential metalsmithing skills and tools, the design possibilities are endless!
In this workshop, students will combine basic metalsmithing and jewelry fabrication skills with colorful resin inlay. Students will learn and practice how to cut out intricate designs with a jeweler's saw, file it to perfection, sweat solder metal together and attach an appropriate finding. After adding resin inlays and letting the resin cure, students will then learn how to polish the piece to a beautiful finish without damaging the resin. Students will be given the choice of making a pin, a pendant, or a pair of earrings.
Meet the instructor
William Vanaria is a Massachusetts based artist with a penchant for oddball materials. His work utilizes traditional metalsmithing techniques and a wide verity of non-traditional materials to produce jewelry which both questions and comments on notions of romanticism, value, fakery, and the hierarchy of materials present within modern day consumer culture. Through his work he pushes for a broader system of value which has been formulated though experience, consideration, and critical thinking.
William received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a concentration in "Jewelry & Metalsmithing" in 2012. Afterwards, he spent time working within the jewelry industry and volunteering as a teacher's assistant for various art institutions. He found that the latter was much more fulfilling, so he went on to further his education within the arts and to pursue a career in teaching. William received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts: Dartmouth in 2016; once again with a concentration in "Jewelry & Metalsmithing."
Materials & Tools
There is a $70 materials fee for this class that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes the items listed below. This fee also covers the cost of various other communal studio supplies needed to complete exercises and projects.
- 1 x 2"x1.5" 24g sterling sheet, deadsoft
- 1 x 2"x1.5" 20g sterling sheet in hard
- 12 x 3/0 Sawblades
- 1 x # 20 Drillbit
- 1 x 2" x 1.5" 24g Yellow brass sheet
- 1 x 2" x 1.5" 20g Yellow brass sheet
- 2 x 2" x 2" 20g Yellow brass sheet
- sterling silver findings for whichever type of jewelry the student makes (eg. earring hooks, jumpring, or tie-tack and clutch)