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Tiny Catches for Hoop Earrings and More!
Have you mastered tiny hinges and fallen absolutely in love with making all your jewelry tiny?! In this demo-focused virtual workshop, students will learn techniques for making 3 styles of tiny catches for hoop earrings and body jewelry, which pair perfectly with tiny hinge constructions. Missing a torch setup? No problem! There is no soldering required for the techniques in this course, however soldered alternatives will be discussed for those with a torch setup!
This workshop on tiny clasps pairs perfectly with Taylor's course on Tiny Hinges Without Heat!
Meet the instructor
Taylor is an artist and metalsmith with interests rooted in anthropology. She is inspired by natural curiosities and human tendencies. Taylor completed a studio residency at Contemporary Craft while finishing her MFA at Edinboro University with a concentration in metals. She is currently a bench jeweler in Lewes, Delaware.
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 (NOTE choose wire gauge to suit your comfort level with working small and know that small drill bits may break, so having more than one could prove helpful - additionally, thicker wire will be carved, so pick any shape you like):
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1"-3" x silver, brass, or copper wire - 14g to 10g (Rio Grande)
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1"-3" x sterling round wire - 20g, 22g, 24g, or 26g (Rio Grande)
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1 x drill bits - #s 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 (Rio Grande)
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1 x diamond coated carving bits (Rio Grande)
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1 x round bur set (Rio Grande)
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1 x cup burs - OPTIONAL (Rio Grande)
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1 x krause burs (Rio Grande)
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1 x separating discs (Rio Grande)
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1 x screw mandrel - for separating discs
Hand tools:
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1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
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1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
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1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
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1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
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1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
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1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
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1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
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1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
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1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
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1 x calipers (Amazon)
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1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
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1 x sanding sticks (Rio Grande)
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1 x parallel pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x pin vice (Rio Grande)
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1 x hand vice (Rio Grande)
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1 x angle scraper - OPTIONAL (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
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hard work surface
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fan and open window - or ventilation system
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safety glasses
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pencil, Sharpie, notebook
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rags/towels