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Monstera1.jpg
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Botanical Fabrication Course

$375.00
sold out

Price $375.00

Class Schedule: Tuesdays 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Jan 27 Feb 3,10,17,24 March 3,10,17

Materials Fee $75 Due at the first class. This cost is based on our cost. Please be aware that this price will fluctuate with metal market costs set by our suppliers.

Bring nature’s organic beauty to metal jewelry with one of Hawaii’s largest and most stunning plant leaves, the Monstera. Its unique patterns have long inspired creatives. Now is your chance to “be leaf in yourself” and take this course.

In this 8 week course, students will learn to make a leaf ring or pendant in sterling silver. We will work on fabricating a monstera leaf ring or pendant from sterling silver sheets and wires. Each leaf is unique and tells a story of your own artistry. 

Students will learn design, sawing, torch soldering, forming, and finishing techniques through the creation of a leaf. This course will give students the opportunity to learn about the art of metal smithing, whatever their experience level. Previous smithing knowledge is great but not required. Students are encouraged to bring a notebook to record their techniques and plans. 

Use discount code: BOTFAB at check out. Expires Dec 31 8:00 pm

Instructor : Jules Schroeder

See Cancellation Policy

Price $375.00

Class Schedule: Tuesdays 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Jan 27 Feb 3,10,17,24 March 3,10,17

Materials Fee $75 Due at the first class. This cost is based on our cost. Please be aware that this price will fluctuate with metal market costs set by our suppliers.

Bring nature’s organic beauty to metal jewelry with one of Hawaii’s largest and most stunning plant leaves, the Monstera. Its unique patterns have long inspired creatives. Now is your chance to “be leaf in yourself” and take this course.

In this 8 week course, students will learn to make a leaf ring or pendant in sterling silver. We will work on fabricating a monstera leaf ring or pendant from sterling silver sheets and wires. Each leaf is unique and tells a story of your own artistry. 

Students will learn design, sawing, torch soldering, forming, and finishing techniques through the creation of a leaf. This course will give students the opportunity to learn about the art of metal smithing, whatever their experience level. Previous smithing knowledge is great but not required. Students are encouraged to bring a notebook to record their techniques and plans. 

Use discount code: BOTFAB at check out. Expires Dec 31 8:00 pm

Instructor : Jules Schroeder

See Cancellation Policy

Week 1: Fundamental skills – Safety, design planning, practice sawing techniques 

  • safety in the studio 

    • chemicals, protecting your body, risks for metalwork 

  • Saw blade principles

    • three teeth rule 

    • pressure and direction 

    • how to hold the saw for grip and low impact 

  • practice circle, square, sharp turns (on bronze) 

    • pre-drawn lines and shapes on bronze sheet 

  • measurements for open ring designs 

Week 2: Practical – forming the design 

  • drawing out the design on paper 

    • paper template adhesion on sheet metal

  • begin task: saw chosen leaf (18ga sheet) 

Week 3

  • continue/ finish sawing leaf 

  • hallmarking and stamping 

  • clean-up edges (files, sandpaper, etc)

  • cut and shape additional elements (24ga wire, 18ga half round)

Week 4: soldering skills

  • how to solder a basic join if unknown, focus more on heat principles/ temperature control

    • which torch, why

    • what different colours indicate 

    • which soldering surface, why (heat conduction principles)

      • melting points

    • importance of clean surfaces, flux, and pickle (neutralising acids in studio) 

  • sweat soldering 

    • how much solder to use 

    • which solder to use in which instance (x-easy, easy, medium, hard) 

  • solder vein(s) 

    • holding things in place when soldering, keeping in mind the air pressure added from the torch firing (steel wire, third hand) 

    • fixing position of elements while soldering (titanium pick)

  • clean-up edges and solder pools (how we can prevent these in the future) 

Week 5

  • finish soldering 

  • add grooves and holes with diamond burrs

    • shaping with diamond burrs

  • clean up as you go, softening edges and surface

Week 6 

  • shaping and final edge clean-up 

    • metal forming using rawhide hammer and steel mandrel 

    • metal forming using ring bender, anvil, etc. for shape variation

  • polish and clean surface to prepare for oxidation 

  • oxidise and begin polishing

Week 7 

  • polishing final steps

    • sandpaper, radial discs, silicone wheels, tumbler, burnishing compound

  • work hardening for durability 

    • using hammer and steel without changing the size of the piece 

    • tumbling in steel shot 

Week 8 

  • any other final steps/ finishing touches

  • show everyone your pieces!!! 

Space in week 7 and 8 allows students to work at their own pace