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Wood and Metal, Metal and Wood
In this virtual workshop, attendees will be introduced to ways of adding and embedding the medium of wood into metal, as well as adding metal into wood. In addition to learning techniques for imbedding, students will also learn how to laminate or “sandwich” wood and metal together, for dynamic patterns. During the class, the instructor will demonstrate the making of three pieces that utilize these unique techniques for combining wood and metal. Proper tool use, wood properties, flushing, and finished methodology will also be covered.
Meet the instructor
Matthieu moved from Paris to New-Mexico when he was 19, where for seven years he studied Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry techniques. He was immediately drawn to stamping, making concho belts and bracelets. He then moved to Mali, West-Africa and worked for a few years with the Fulani, Tuareg and Bambara jewelers.
In 1999, Matthieu settled in Montreal Canada and continued his studies by going to a jewelry school and learning a more classical part of the trade. Over the years, Matthieu has returned to Africa regularly.
In 2014, Tim McCreight and Mattheiu Cheminee created the Toolbox Initiative, a non-profit organization that helps jewelers in West Africa through the gifts of donated tools.
“I have been stamping and making stamps since the beginning and have developed a form of stamping design by creating patterns that fill the entire piece of metal. This is called “tessellation”.
Matthieu has written two books, “Legacy, jewelry techniques of West Africa“ and “The Art of Stamping”, both published at Brynmorgen Press.
Visit Matthieu's website or instagram page for more info on his work.
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 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 welcomed but not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials:
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12" x sterling silver strip - 1/8"x24g (Rio Grande)
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6" x sterling silver heavy wall tube - 4.12mm (Rio Grande)
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6" x sterling silver wire - 18g (Rio Grande)
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3"x3" x sterling silver sheet - 28g (Rio Grande)
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1"x3" x hardwood - i.e. ebony, teak, epay (Amazon)
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6"x6" or small samples x formica (hardware store)
Torch setup:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if using Silversmith (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering tweezers - to pick up hot objects (Rio Grande)
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 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 riveting hammer (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 parallel pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring mandrel (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
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super glue (hardware store)
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epoxy (Rio Grande or hardware store)
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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