Pendant Embellishments
Instructor: Sara McGraw
Prerequisite: Metalsmithing 1 or equivalent
Duration: 8 Hours
An embellishment is defined as “a decorative detail or feature added to something to make it more attractive”. In Pendant Embellishments, participants will learn various ways to add decorative details to their work to elevate their designs. In this workshop, students will have a chance to learn how to both taper and ball up round wire to create different styles of wire accents. They will learn how to ball up scraps of fine silver to create beaded decorations and use a shot plate to shape those fine silver balls into crescent, concho, star, or flower-shaped metal impressions. Participants can also play with die cast bezel cups to add a few accent stones.
The goal of the workshop is to demonstrate multiple ways for students to add decorative features to their work. A pendant doesn’t need to be a basic piece of jewelry, it can be as simple or as complex as the artist’s imagination can design.
Bring your Metalsmithing toolbox, including the following items:
- 2” x 3” 20 gauge Sterling silver sheet, dead soft
- 6 in or more Argentium round wire, 14 gauge, dead soft
- 1 foot bezel wire of choice, fit to stone (26 ga plain bezel recommended)
- some fine silver scrap (to make shot plate impressions)
- 1 or more 4 - 5 mm round or oval sterling silver bezel cups (Rio Grande and Otto Frei have a variety)
- 1 or more 4 - 5 mm round or oval cabochons (Rio Grande and Otto Frei have a variety of stones)
- 1 Cabochon, flat bottomed, any shape and size
- 1 foot of each hard, medium, easy, extra-easy silver wire solders
- jeweler’s saw frame
- 1 pack 2/0 saw blades
- bees wax
- wire cutters, chain nose and flat nose pliers
- metal jeweler’s ruler
- 1/2 round Habilis file, cut #00
- round needle file, cut 0 (or get the set here)
- 1 each 220, 320, 400, 600 grit sandpaper
- 4 sanding stick blanks
- bezel roller
- 1 set abrasive wheels
- 1 set Light green bristle discs
- 1 set peach bristle discs
- 1 set blue bristle discs
- 2 packs mandrels for bristle discs & rubber wheels (above)
- eye protection, clear
- Optional: 22 or 24 gauge brass texture plate (Cool Tools and Santa Fe Jewelers Supply have these)
- From Home: fine tip sharpie, white out w/brush, apron, firebrick, and N95 face mask
Jan. 2021 tr
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