Unconventional Elegance: Alternative Materials, Stone Setting, & Beyond
Embark on a 3-day adventure of creativity, where you'll learn to combine intricate object setting with alternative materials and problem-solving to create jewelry that reflects your individual style. We will explore incorporating irregular shapes with bezels, as well as numerous other methods of securing and connecting non-traditional elements.
In addition, students will push their comfort zones through exercises that will challenge them to think outside the "typical" jewelry making box, creating opportunities for breakthroughs in finding a jewelry making language that's truly their own. Class participants are invited to bring items of intrigue and a playful attitude, which we will use as we expand technical skills and expand the possibilities of what we can create. Students will leave the workshop with multiple pieces, completed and/or in process, and a broader knowledge of metal fabrication, object setting, and finishing techniques.
Meet the instructor
Anna Johnson is a studio artist and educator living in Asheville, NC. She receivedher BFA in metalsmithing and jewelry design from Appalachian State University. Her work is exhibited internationally, has appeared in numerous publications including American Craft Magazine, Metalsmith Magazine, and CAST: Art and Objects, and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Arts and Design in NY, NY. Johnson has taught at Penland School of Craft, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Haywood Community College. Her work is represented by Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN, Mora Jewelry in Asheville NC, Hecho a Mano in Santa Fe NM, Woodlands Gallery in Hendersonville NC, Metal Museum in Memphis TN, and Galeria Alice Floriano in Brazil.
Materials & Tools
There is a $80 materials fee for this course which is payable to Metalwerx upon registration. The materials kit fee covers 3"x3" sterling silver sheet metal (24g), fine silver 1/4" strip, flat-edge pumice wheels, screw mandrel, snap-on mandrel, moore's discs (150 grit), sanding sponges (medium, fine), 4/0 sawblades, solder (easy, medium, hard), copper wire (16g, 18g, 20g, 22g, 24g), and other miscellaneous consumables needed for workshop objectives.
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items they would like to set, such as (required):
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small found objects
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found objects
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old jewelry they want to take apart
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odd shaped stones
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anything they think would make for an interesting setting
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any of their own favorite tools - Metalwerx has many communal tools
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studio apron
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studio towel
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notebook or sketchpad
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pen or pencil
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closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
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lunch - Metalwerx has a fridge, toaster oven, and microwave