Botanical Fabrication Course
Botanical Fabrication Course
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
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
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