In this 3 week beginning silversmith class you will learn the skills of sawing, filing, sanding, soldering, texturing, stamping, forming, polishing and patina.

In the first week you will make a sweat soldered “charm” out of copper to practice your skills and become familiar with the metal, tools and techniques.

The second and third weeks will be spent creating the “spinner’ ring”. This is a inch wide silver band with rings on the inside that move. They are held in place by flanging both the top and bottom. There are many variations of this ring so use your creativity to design your own. These projects have been developed to give you the skills to go onto create more intricate projects with confidence.

Supply List:
Copper sheet 3” x 3”, 18, 20, or 22 gauge
Silver sheet 3” x 3”, 18, 20 or 22 gauge
Silver wire, 2 feet, 18 or 16 gauge
Saw blades, # 2/0
Cut lube
Jewelers saw
Solder , medium or easy
Sandpaper
Ring mandrel
Rawhide hammer
Ball peen hammer
Pliers, flat, round, wire cutter
Files

All of the above available at the Shepherdess. 10% class discount given on all supplies.

Create a one of a kind piece that captures the sparkle of vibrant dichroic glass and the beauty of silver. This class will explore various ways to surround artistic dichroic cabochons using metal clay.

Supplies:

• 1 package metal clay
• Dichroic glass cabochon
• Syringe type clay
• Metal clay paste X-acto knife Tools or stamps for texture (Instructor has some to lend)
• Rubber block
• Agate burnisher Emory type nail files in medium, fine and extra fine grits.
• Steel wire brush

• Available for sale at the Shepherdess – 10% discount on purchases day of class

Learn to add beads and metallic threads to fabric to create your own embellished needle case.
These embroidery techniques will transfer well to home decorating projects and clothing embellishment as well.

Supplies:

Assortment seed beads, sizes 8 to 15
Assortment of decorative beads, pearls, Czech glass etc. – some with flat back
Assortment of embroidery threads – silk, cotton floss, metallic, rayon – your choice
Nymo B or Silamide thread
Beading needles – size 11 or 12
Beading surface
Scissor

In this 3 week beginning silversmith class you will learn the skills of sawing, filing, sanding, soldering, texturing, stamping, forming, polishing and patina.

In the first week you will make a sweat soldered “charm” out of copper to practice your skills and become familiar with the metal, tools and techniques.

The second and third weeks will be spent creating the “spinner’ ring”. This is a inch wide silver band with rings on the inside that move. They are held in place by flanging both the top and bottom. There are many variations of this ring so use your creativity to design your own. These projects have been developed to give you the skills to go onto create more intricate projects with confidence.

Supply List:
Copper sheet 3” x 3”, 18, 20, or 22 gauge
Silver sheet 3” x 3”, 18, 20 or 22 gauge
Silver wire, 2 feet, 18 or 16 gauge
Saw blades, # 2/0
Cut lube
Jewelers saw
Solder , medium or easy
Sandpaper
Ring mandrel
Rawhide hammer
Ball peen hammer
Pliers, flat, round, wire cutter
Files

All of the above available at the Shepherdess. 10% class discount given on all supplies.

Whether you’re making jewelry, assemblage or a journal, often the need arises to add a chain or clasp for that finishing touch. Join jeweler Keith Lo Bue for a day of instruction in how to create your own links, hooks and clasps from scratch. Participants will make a variety of samples…learn the satisfaction of the do-it-yourself approach!

Love it or hate it, the jeweler’s saw is one of the most useful tools for those who create small artwork.

Make this essential tool your friend in this whirlwind session, and learn the techniques that will expand your creative skills!

Learn one of the most versatile and strong connection methods and leave that glue in your drawer! Whatever the materials used, hand-made rivets can often be employed to strengthen and enhance your assemblage work or jewelry.

Recommended for anyone interested in attaching objects securely.
Get it together and keep it together…

Go to lobue-art.com and click on workshops to view supply lists.

This exciting new two-day workshop brings students through the process of etching imagery and/or text into copper, brass and nickel using a variety of techniques, each with their own particular personality. Plates etched using these methods will then be carefully cut, formed and shaped to integrate with found objects brought by the students, creating a mysterious marriage of found and fabricated materials

Create beautiful leaves using pure silver to replicate nature’s own designs. These “one of a kind” creations make a great gift. This is a fun way to use the extra slip that accumulates as one works with the metal clays. Project ideas will be presented. Bring your ideas and the instructor will
assist you with your project. If you have never used the metal clays and don’t have silver paste, don’t worry a kit will be available for purchase. Basic wirework and jewelry assemblage will be covered.

Homework: Bring to class some leaves that you like. Leaves with deep veins work best, not too furry, and no succulents.

Day One: The leaves will be prepared. Finishing options will be presented, and you will design and plan your project.
Day two: We will assemble the leaves into a fabulous piece of jewelry, or whatever you have designed.

Supplies:

*Sterling silver or *Copper wire in gauges appropriate for your intended piece.

*Jump Rings (Or) make your own in class

*Beads
Sterling chain (Or) make your own in class.

*Clasp (Or) make your own in class
Tool Kit Items to bring:

*Chain nose pliers

*Round nose pliers (a small pair and a pair large pair if you have them)

*Flat nose pliers

*Flush cutters

*Ruler

• Available for purchase at THE SHEPHERDESS
  10% DISCOUNT on day of class.

This is an opportunity to take your spinning beyond the ordinary into the world of contemporary art yarns. We will focus on construction and balance along with texture and whimsical yarn interpretations. Time will be spent on how to spin a thick and thin single, beehives and coils, corespinning, adding foreign objects such as buttons, beads and other goodies, spinning with fabrics and combination spinning. We will also card wild and crazy fiber batts for spinning.

Skills Required: You will need to know the basics of spinning on a wheel such as drafting, spinning a single and how to ply. Bring your imagination.

STUFF TO BRING (students): – wheel, bobbins, lazy kate or a small box to use as a kate and a niddy noddy if you have one.

– about 10 ounces of wool roving or carded batts. – Freshly spun bobbin full (100-200 yds) single (med-bulky) do not set the twist, just leave on the bobbin. You can mix all kinds of fiber and colors in this single. – commercial laceweight or sock yarn (about 300 yards) – anything that strikes your fancy such as fabric, buttons, felted beads, spools of novelty thread, etc. – drum carder, if you have one.

STUFF I BRING:

– Lots of wool rovings, raw wool, mohair locks and roving, batts, nubs, sequins, threads, novelty yarns. You are free to use all of what I bring for the class. – Two drum carders, a few niddy noddies. – Several extra spinning wheels.

I encourage everyone to bring something for show and tell.

Pendants have always been a way of displaying a personal message in jewelry. In this workshop students will fabricate pendants with mica windows to display small treasures. Techniques and skills covered in the class will include: surface preparation and finishing of metal, chemical etching of brass and copper, use of purchased cold connections, chain making techniques, and safety considerations.

Students should be able to complete at least two pendants similar to the example photos. If time permits, experimentation on additional projects will be encouraged. Students will leave the class with new skills and techniques for displaying found objects and photos in their own jewelry creations.

Supply list :
Brass and/or copper wire 20 gauge, non-coated approximately 7 feet for chains.
Several small (less than 1/2×1/2×1/2’) items to place in pendant windows.
Small photos are good for this project

Materials Fee of $5 payable to Instructor at class time includes: Brass, copper, patterned brass, mica, screws, rivets, etching chemicals and miscellaneous supplies will be provided, as well as polishing papers, rubber stamps, ink and embellishments to share.

Tool list:
Basic jewelry making tools will be needed including:
Round nose and Flat nose pliers
Files
Wire cutters (flush cutters recommended)
Small hammer
Bench block or small anvil
Hole punching pliers (1.8 mm) or small hand drill
Small metal file
Eye Protection and Apron
Optional:
Dremel or other rotary tool
Beads

Pendants have always been a way of displaying a personal message in jewelry. In this workshop students will fabricate pendants with mica windows to display small treasures. Techniques and skills covered in the class will include: surface preparation and finishing of metal, chemical etching of brass and copper, use of purchased cold connections, chain making techniques, and safety considerations.

Students should be able to complete at least two pendants similar to the example photos. If time permits, experimentation on additional projects will be encouraged. Students will leave the class with new skills and techniques for displaying found objects and photos in their own jewelry creations.

Supply list :
Brass and/or copper wire 20 gauge, non-coated approximately 7 feet for chains.
Several small (less than 1/2×1/2×1/2’) items to place in pendant windows.
Small photos are good for this project

Materials Fee of $5 payable to Instructor at class time includes: Brass, copper, patterned brass, mica, screws, rivets, etching chemicals and miscellaneous supplies will be provided, as well as polishing papers, rubber stamps, ink and embellishments to share.

Tool list:
Basic jewelry making tools will be needed including:
Round nose and Flat nose pliers
Files
Wire cutters (flush cutters recommended)
Small hammer
Bench block or small anvil
Hole punching pliers (1.8 mm) or small hand drill
Small metal file
Eye Protection and Apron
Optional:
Dremel or other rotary tool
Beads

The goal of the class will be to make one or more mixed metal pendants or brooches similar to the sample photos. You will learn to work with a variety of materialsbrass, copper, Faux Bone and a variety of skillsenameling, sawing, shaping, rivetingto create your own ‘miracle’ jewelry pieces. The skills you learn will be easily transferred to your own future projects.

Materials List:
24 or 26 gauge copper sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches
24 or 26 gauge brass (red or yellow) sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches

I will supply the enamels, torches and Faux Bone . A $3 materials fee will be collected in class.

Tool List:
Students should bring the following tools to class:
Flat and round nose pliers,
Metal shears or tin snips
Wire cutters (inexpensive hardware store variety are fine)
Files, fine sandpaper, sanding block or Scotch-brite type pad for cleaning and polishing Faux Bone
Bench Pin
Bench Block
Jewelers saw and blades (sizes #00 and #1)
Small hammer for riveting (I like the small ball pein hammers)
Optional:
Dremel Tool or similar rotary tool for drilling and #56 drill bit or 1/16 inch drill bit
Hole Punch Pliers (1.25mm)
Center Punch

Email: art@rsalley.com
Website: http://rsalley.com

In this class you will learn to use a variety of materialsbrass, copper, Faux Bone and a variety of skillsetching, sawing, shaping, rivetingto create an ancient looking layered pendant. Through the use of ancient fonts for the etching, and by aging and distressing the metals, you will craft a pendant with an ancient look that suggests it was found in an archeological dig. You will also learn to make a hook and eye clasp along with how to braid a 4-strand neck cord to complete the piece.

The goal of the class will be to make one or more mixed metal pendants similar to the sample photos. The skills you learn will be easily transferred to your own future projects.

Note: if you have a family crest that you think would work well for the shield, bring along a copy-machine or laser printer copy with you.

Materials List:
14 gauge copper wire (5 or 6 feet should be plenty)
24 or 26 gauge copper sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches
24 or 26 gauge brass (red or yellow) sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches

I will supply the etching solution, patina, Faux Bone , leather cord and brass escutcheon pins. A $3 materials fee will be collected in class.

Tool List:
Students should bring the following tools to class:
Flat and round nose pliers,
Metal shears or tin snips
Wire cutters (inexpensive hardware store variety are fine)
Files, fine sandpaper, sanding block or Scotch-brite type pad for cleaning and polishing Faux Bone
Bench Pin
Bench Block
Jewelers saw and blades (sizes #00 and #1)
Small hammer for riveting (I like the small ball pein hammers)

Optional:
Dremel Tool or similar rotary tool for drilling and #56 drill bit or 1/16 inch drill bit
Hole Punch Pliers (1.25mm)
Center Punch

Email: art@rsalley.com
Website: http://rsalley.com

Ways to set a cabochon post firing. Creating bezel settings, including the use of pre-made bezel cups, and prong settings.

Use a micro torch and hand tools to create a fine silver textured chain and clasp that will become a wardrobe basic. Techniques covered include use of micro torch to fuse fine silver links, hammering techniques to produce differing results, texturing with metal stamps, S-clasp and jump ring creation technique, patina application and polish.

Supply List:
18ga Fine Silver wire: 6 feet

16ga Fine Silver wire: 4 inches

Butane Microtorch & Fuel*

Fire brick or Solderite Pad*

Steel bench block or anvil*

Leather bench pad* or towel

Rawhide hammer*

4-5mm Steel Letter Stamps*

Brass brush*

Needle Nose (Diamond Point) Tweezers*

Small bowl (ceramic or stainless steel to use as quench bowl)

Round nose pliers* (large and small diameter sizes)

Chain Nose pliers* (pair recommended)

Flush cutters*

Methods for making basic ear wires, head pins and more.

Supplies:

*6 feet 20-gauge sterline silver wire
OR

*20-gauge copper wire can be substitued for practice

Tools:

*Round Nose Pliers – small and large if you have them

*Flush cutters

*Flat Nose Pliers

*Chain Nose Pliers

*Chasing Hammer

*Rawhide Mallet

*Steel Block and sandbag (or towel)
Ruler

*Available at The Shepherdess
10% discount on day of class

Learn to make interesting links for your jewelry projects.
Includes Cages, Wrapped-Beads, Coiled Beads, and more.

If youve been interested in learning to felt but intimidated by the process join us for a day of felt play. We will cover the basics of felting with an emphasis on experimentation.

In the afternoon we will embellish and discuss uses for our fabulous felt creations. The felt will be the canvas for beautiful bead embellishment. Patterns for nifty functional objects will be provided.

Supply List:

1 bath towel
1 hand towel
Small bowl – quart size for water
Ruler

Small bits and pieces of silks, threads, yarns, ribbons, etc. Some will be furnished.

Roving:
1 Merino wool
1 silk and Merino wool blend
1 Corriedale

Optional:

Felting needles – package of 4 needles for detail work
Beading needles – size 12 or 11
Nymo or Silamide thread
Assorted beads for embellishment
Small scissors

Photographing your jewelry needn’t be difficult or expensive. Bring your own point-and-shoot digital camera to class and use it to photograph jewelry in a variety of live settings, using easily found and affordable materials. Composed set-ups for several types of photography needs will be ready for you to try out, including jewelry competition photos and catalog-style photography. Guidelines, tips, and resources will be provided and discussed.

Requirements:
Bring a point-and-shoot camera you’re familiar with and have used prior to class. Camera must have a white balance control and macro feature. Bring original camera manual to class. Make sure your camera’s battery is fully charged prior to class.

Step into Spring with this adorable soldered bell jar project and kick up your soldering skills a notch. First we will learn how to dress and paint your 100 year old doll in festive attire ala Frida Khalo. Then Robin will teach the dynamics of attaching soldered 3-d pieces, millenary and word tiles to make a tree type topper on your bell jar. To finish it all off she will show you how make your piece ancient with patina and add embellishments.

Class fee includes all supplies. All you need to bring is your soldering equipment: soldering iron, stand, several sizes of copper tape, solder, flux, sponge, flux remover. I charge a $10 studio fee to use my soldering equipment and supplies.

Turn a plain bottle into a doll, necklace or vessel for keepsakes. Robin will show you fun and creative applications using wax, wire, assemblage, collage, solder, fibers, buttons, rusted metal, broken ceramic and doll parts . We will cover your bottle with salvaged, repurposed and new ephemera and turn it into a unique conversation piece.

You should be able to finish 2-5 bottles. If time allows, we will learn how to paint a simple rose onto your chosen surface. Robin will supply one small bottle for each student, beeswax, wire, soldering iron, paint, melting pot, cheesecloth and expendables, Extra supplies will be available to purchase.

Supplies:
2 or more small and medium size (2-8 inches) old or new perfume and medicine bottles
Ephemera to personalize your bottles. This can include: chain, charms, vintage lace, buttons, broken jewelry, doll parts, toy pieces, millinery, keys, vintage text and patterns etc.

Optional: soldering iron and equipment, beeswax, glitter, mica, annealed steal wire, pliers and wire cutters

A gift to prove his love and to withstand time, a gift promising more than marriage. His gesture symbolized undying love that was stronger and more enduring than any other emotion the man could feel, a love so precious, that its worth is priceless.

A romantic marriage proposal was thought to be more binding, more compelling and more powerful, when the man professed his love and his desire for a union accompanied by a gift. Today, we assume that the engagement gift would be a portion of the wedding band set, but that tradition is relatively new. The first, known, engagement ring was presented to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477 beginning a long standing tradition that took generations to become popular.

For the wealthy, presenting the engagement gift was a very important part of the process leading to marriage. There was a time when it was illegal for all but royalty to own diamonds so many other stones were used in jewelry with some being heirlooms and others being designed specifically for the purpose of the engagement gift. Richard Burton presented Elizabeth Taylor with the amazing Taylor-Burton pear-shaped diamond as his gift, which later was made into a necklace. H.R.H. Prince Ranier of Monoco presented the lovely Grace Kelly with a diamond and pearl parure (necklace, bracelet and earring set) to profess is love.

Token of Love Bracelet is inspired by the diamond bracelet designs being made by the leaders in fine jewelry at the turn of the 20th century. A central ornament consisting of an oval gemstone or CZ, surrounded by a series of smaller gemstones or CZs, set and arranged in the pave style. Extending from the central beaded ornament are Peyote stitch extensions that terminate in beaded, gem or CZ set end-stone pivots. One pivot leads to another as the bracelet works its way around the wrist to end with a toggle and loop closure.

Obtaining the correct time, today, is as easy as looking at your iPhone or your wristwatch. We are a society possessed by time! I often wonder at the fact that time is everywhere but we seem to have so little of it. Our ancestors dealt with time differently than we do today. Tasks were done within the amount of time they needed. Artisans worked until the piece was complete, time not an issue. People gathered for Church, meetings and appointments, work, meals and visiting using the sun, and later tall clocks, to approximate the time.

It wasnt until the 16th century that small clocks, known as watches, could be carried around on your person. These watches were quite large, worn on chains around the neck or on a girdle (a form of chain belt) around the waist. Watches became a status symbol of wealth and authority, being a prized possession of their owners. The earliest watches were poor timekeepers, however, by the 17th century great changes were made in their movements, further improving performance. Known as Verge Fusees, these watches could now be made much smaller, hence the name pocket watch. By the 18th century, pocket watches were quite accurate and were becoming readily available to the middle class. Artisans and watchmakers worked together to make accurate, key wound, pocket watches enhanced with beautiful dials, gold and silver cases, enameled images and gemstone work, making pocket watches small works of art.

Its About Time! is my tribute to the pocket watch. A lariat style necklace ends with a stylized pocket watch and key, along with a gem set watch fob. The pocket watch is made using a metal frame that has an image of an 18th century watch dial or face on one side. The frame is encased with seed beads then gemstones and CZs are set and encrusted on one side of the pocket watch. A Peyote stitch key hangs at the ready for the winding of our pocket watch. The key is 3-Dimensional and is also encrusted with set gemstones and CZs. Last but not least, the fob. A fob was a decorative weight that was attached to the pocket watch. The fob was usually made of gold or sterling silver and could have been a wax seal, a beautiful gemstone set into a bezel or simply engraved with the owners initials. In this case, the fob is an oval gemstone or CZ encased in beadwork, then shaped in the 18th century style and used as a counterweight for the lariat.

Whether you’re making jewelry, assemblage or a journal, often the need arises to add a chain or clasp for that finishing touch. Join jeweler Keith Lo Bue for a day of instruction in how to create your own links, hooks and clasps from scratch. Participants will make a variety of samples…learn the satisfaction of the do-it-yourself approach!

Love it or hate it, the jeweler’s saw is one of the most useful tools for those who create small artwork.

Make this essential tool your friend in this whirlwind session, and learn the techniques that will expand your creative skills!

Learn one of the most versatile and strong connection methods and leave that glue in your drawer! Whatever the materials used, hand-made rivets can often be employed to strengthen and enhance your assemblage work or jewelry.

Recommended for anyone interested in attaching objects securely.
Get it together and keep it together…

Go to lobue-art.com and click on workshops to view supply lists.

This exciting new two-day workshop brings students through the process of etching imagery and/or text into copper, brass and nickel using a variety of techniques, each with their own particular personality. Plates etched using these methods will then be carefully cut, formed and shaped to integrate with found objects brought by the students, creating a mysterious marriage of found and fabricated materials

This is an opportunity to take your spinning beyond the ordinary into the world of contemporary art yarns. We will focus on construction and balance along with texture and whimsical yarn interpretations. Time will be spent on how to spin a thick and thin single, beehives and coils, corespinning, adding foreign objects such as buttons, beads and other goodies, spinning with fabrics and combination spinning. We will also card wild and crazy fiber batts for spinning.

Skills Required: You will need to know the basics of spinning on a wheel such as drafting, spinning a single and how to ply. Bring your imagination.

STUFF TO BRING (students): – wheel, bobbins, lazy kate or a small box to use as a kate and a niddy noddy if you have one.

– about 10 ounces of wool roving or carded batts. – Freshly spun bobbin full (100-200 yds) single (med-bulky) do not set the twist, just leave on the bobbin. You can mix all kinds of fiber and colors in this single. – commercial laceweight or sock yarn (about 300 yards) – anything that strikes your fancy such as fabric, buttons, felted beads, spools of novelty thread, etc. – drum carder, if you have one.

STUFF I BRING:

– Lots of wool rovings, raw wool, mohair locks and roving, batts, nubs, sequins, threads, novelty yarns. You are free to use all of what I bring for the class. – Two drum carders, a few niddy noddies. – Several extra spinning wheels.

I encourage everyone to bring something for show and tell.

Pendants have always been a way of displaying a personal message in jewelry. In this workshop students will fabricate pendants with mica windows to display small treasures. Techniques and skills covered in the class will include: surface preparation and finishing of metal, chemical etching of brass and copper, use of purchased cold connections, chain making techniques, and safety considerations.

Students should be able to complete at least two pendants similar to the example photos. If time permits, experimentation on additional projects will be encouraged. Students will leave the class with new skills and techniques for displaying found objects and photos in their own jewelry creations.

Supply list :
Brass and/or copper wire 20 gauge, non-coated approximately 7 feet for chains.
Several small (less than 1/2×1/2×1/2’) items to place in pendant windows.
Small photos are good for this project

Materials Fee of $5 payable to Instructor at class time includes: Brass, copper, patterned brass, mica, screws, rivets, etching chemicals and miscellaneous supplies will be provided, as well as polishing papers, rubber stamps, ink and embellishments to share.

Tool list:
Basic jewelry making tools will be needed including:
Round nose and Flat nose pliers
Files
Wire cutters (flush cutters recommended)
Small hammer
Bench block or small anvil
Hole punching pliers (1.8 mm) or small hand drill
Small metal file
Eye Protection and Apron
Optional:
Dremel or other rotary tool
Beads

Pendants have always been a way of displaying a personal message in jewelry. In this workshop students will fabricate pendants with mica windows to display small treasures. Techniques and skills covered in the class will include: surface preparation and finishing of metal, chemical etching of brass and copper, use of purchased cold connections, chain making techniques, and safety considerations.

Students should be able to complete at least two pendants similar to the example photos. If time permits, experimentation on additional projects will be encouraged. Students will leave the class with new skills and techniques for displaying found objects and photos in their own jewelry creations.

Supply list :
Brass and/or copper wire 20 gauge, non-coated approximately 7 feet for chains.
Several small (less than 1/2×1/2×1/2’) items to place in pendant windows.
Small photos are good for this project

Materials Fee of $5 payable to Instructor at class time includes: Brass, copper, patterned brass, mica, screws, rivets, etching chemicals and miscellaneous supplies will be provided, as well as polishing papers, rubber stamps, ink and embellishments to share.

Tool list:
Basic jewelry making tools will be needed including:
Round nose and Flat nose pliers
Files
Wire cutters (flush cutters recommended)
Small hammer
Bench block or small anvil
Hole punching pliers (1.8 mm) or small hand drill
Small metal file
Eye Protection and Apron
Optional:
Dremel or other rotary tool
Beads

The goal of the class will be to make one or more mixed metal pendants or brooches similar to the sample photos. You will learn to work with a variety of materialsbrass, copper, Faux Bone and a variety of skillsenameling, sawing, shaping, rivetingto create your own ‘miracle’ jewelry pieces. The skills you learn will be easily transferred to your own future projects.

Materials List:
24 or 26 gauge copper sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches
24 or 26 gauge brass (red or yellow) sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches

I will supply the enamels, torches and Faux Bone . A $3 materials fee will be collected in class.

Tool List:
Students should bring the following tools to class:
Flat and round nose pliers,
Metal shears or tin snips
Wire cutters (inexpensive hardware store variety are fine)
Files, fine sandpaper, sanding block or Scotch-brite type pad for cleaning and polishing Faux Bone
Bench Pin
Bench Block
Jewelers saw and blades (sizes #00 and #1)
Small hammer for riveting (I like the small ball pein hammers)
Optional:
Dremel Tool or similar rotary tool for drilling and #56 drill bit or 1/16 inch drill bit
Hole Punch Pliers (1.25mm)
Center Punch

Email: art@rsalley.com
Website: http://rsalley.com

In this class you will learn to use a variety of materialsbrass, copper, Faux Bone and a variety of skillsetching, sawing, shaping, rivetingto create an ancient looking layered pendant. Through the use of ancient fonts for the etching, and by aging and distressing the metals, you will craft a pendant with an ancient look that suggests it was found in an archeological dig. You will also learn to make a hook and eye clasp along with how to braid a 4-strand neck cord to complete the piece.

The goal of the class will be to make one or more mixed metal pendants similar to the sample photos. The skills you learn will be easily transferred to your own future projects.

Note: if you have a family crest that you think would work well for the shield, bring along a copy-machine or laser printer copy with you.

Materials List:
14 gauge copper wire (5 or 6 feet should be plenty)
24 or 26 gauge copper sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches
24 or 26 gauge brass (red or yellow) sheet approx 4 inches by 6 inches

I will supply the etching solution, patina, Faux Bone , leather cord and brass escutcheon pins. A $3 materials fee will be collected in class.

Tool List:
Students should bring the following tools to class:
Flat and round nose pliers,
Metal shears or tin snips
Wire cutters (inexpensive hardware store variety are fine)
Files, fine sandpaper, sanding block or Scotch-brite type pad for cleaning and polishing Faux Bone
Bench Pin
Bench Block
Jewelers saw and blades (sizes #00 and #1)
Small hammer for riveting (I like the small ball pein hammers)

Optional:
Dremel Tool or similar rotary tool for drilling and #56 drill bit or 1/16 inch drill bit
Hole Punch Pliers (1.25mm)
Center Punch

Email: art@rsalley.com
Website: http://rsalley.com

Step into Spring with this adorable soldered bell jar project and kick up your soldering skills a notch. First we will learn how to dress and paint your 100 year old doll in festive attire ala Frida Khalo. Then Robin will teach the dynamics of attaching soldered 3-d pieces, millenary and word tiles to make a tree type topper on your bell jar. To finish it all off she will show you how make your piece ancient with patina and add embellishments.

Class fee includes all supplies. All you need to bring is your soldering equipment: soldering iron, stand, several sizes of copper tape, solder, flux, sponge, flux remover. I charge a $10 studio fee to use my soldering equipment and supplies.

Turn a plain bottle into a doll, necklace or vessel for keepsakes. Robin will show you fun and creative applications using wax, wire, assemblage, collage, solder, fibers, buttons, rusted metal, broken ceramic and doll parts . We will cover your bottle with salvaged, repurposed and new ephemera and turn it into a unique conversation piece.

You should be able to finish 2-5 bottles. If time allows, we will learn how to paint a simple rose onto your chosen surface. Robin will supply one small bottle for each student, beeswax, wire, soldering iron, paint, melting pot, cheesecloth and expendables, Extra supplies will be available to purchase.

Supplies:
2 or more small and medium size (2-8 inches) old or new perfume and medicine bottles
Ephemera to personalize your bottles. This can include: chain, charms, vintage lace, buttons, broken jewelry, doll parts, toy pieces, millinery, keys, vintage text and patterns etc.

Optional: soldering iron and equipment, beeswax, glitter, mica, annealed steal wire, pliers and wire cutters

A gift to prove his love and to withstand time, a gift promising more than marriage. His gesture symbolized undying love that was stronger and more enduring than any other emotion the man could feel, a love so precious, that its worth is priceless.

A romantic marriage proposal was thought to be more binding, more compelling and more powerful, when the man professed his love and his desire for a union accompanied by a gift. Today, we assume that the engagement gift would be a portion of the wedding band set, but that tradition is relatively new. The first, known, engagement ring was presented to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477 beginning a long standing tradition that took generations to become popular.

For the wealthy, presenting the engagement gift was a very important part of the process leading to marriage. There was a time when it was illegal for all but royalty to own diamonds so many other stones were used in jewelry with some being heirlooms and others being designed specifically for the purpose of the engagement gift. Richard Burton presented Elizabeth Taylor with the amazing Taylor-Burton pear-shaped diamond as his gift, which later was made into a necklace. H.R.H. Prince Ranier of Monoco presented the lovely Grace Kelly with a diamond and pearl parure (necklace, bracelet and earring set) to profess is love.

Token of Love Bracelet is inspired by the diamond bracelet designs being made by the leaders in fine jewelry at the turn of the 20th century. A central ornament consisting of an oval gemstone or CZ, surrounded by a series of smaller gemstones or CZs, set and arranged in the pave style. Extending from the central beaded ornament are Peyote stitch extensions that terminate in beaded, gem or CZ set end-stone pivots. One pivot leads to another as the bracelet works its way around the wrist to end with a toggle and loop closure.

Obtaining the correct time, today, is as easy as looking at your iPhone or your wristwatch. We are a society possessed by time! I often wonder at the fact that time is everywhere but we seem to have so little of it. Our ancestors dealt with time differently than we do today. Tasks were done within the amount of time they needed. Artisans worked until the piece was complete, time not an issue. People gathered for Church, meetings and appointments, work, meals and visiting using the sun, and later tall clocks, to approximate the time.

It wasnt until the 16th century that small clocks, known as watches, could be carried around on your person. These watches were quite large, worn on chains around the neck or on a girdle (a form of chain belt) around the waist. Watches became a status symbol of wealth and authority, being a prized possession of their owners. The earliest watches were poor timekeepers, however, by the 17th century great changes were made in their movements, further improving performance. Known as Verge Fusees, these watches could now be made much smaller, hence the name pocket watch. By the 18th century, pocket watches were quite accurate and were becoming readily available to the middle class. Artisans and watchmakers worked together to make accurate, key wound, pocket watches enhanced with beautiful dials, gold and silver cases, enameled images and gemstone work, making pocket watches small works of art.

Its About Time! is my tribute to the pocket watch. A lariat style necklace ends with a stylized pocket watch and key, along with a gem set watch fob. The pocket watch is made using a metal frame that has an image of an 18th century watch dial or face on one side. The frame is encased with seed beads then gemstones and CZs are set and encrusted on one side of the pocket watch. A Peyote stitch key hangs at the ready for the winding of our pocket watch. The key is 3-Dimensional and is also encrusted with set gemstones and CZs. Last but not least, the fob. A fob was a decorative weight that was attached to the pocket watch. The fob was usually made of gold or sterling silver and could have been a wax seal, a beautiful gemstone set into a bezel or simply engraved with the owners initials. In this case, the fob is an oval gemstone or CZ encased in beadwork, then shaped in the 18th century style and used as a counterweight for the lariat.