We will cover the benefits of working with tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling.  We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, filings and wire; enabling us to cut back on solder joints. In this workshop we will focus on recycling your saw filings by fusing them to the surface of sheet silver. If you saw or file you may accumulate piles of silver dust that can be utilized to create an interesting texture in your designs. We will then heat color titanium sheet, creating vibrant colors ranging from bronze, magenta, purple, blue, pink and green. The top plate is designed so that it can be completely removed, allowing you to change the top portion or even the cuff giving you several different options to wear. We will be setting a 10mm cabochon in a supplied bezel cup. We will also cover soldering, shaping, texturing, patina, polishing and setting half drilled pearls.

Frenzied Filigree has been one of my favorite ring designs over the years. The shank will be constructed in a very unconventional manner by fusing multiple gauges of wires several times and making a sheet. The sheet will then be manipulated in different ways to transform it into a frenzied filigree-ish design. We will cut the sheet up and shape it to form a shank. The sheet we will make can be used in all kinds of ways in your future jewelry designs. The technique is one of my most treasured, and was a concept that has evolved over the years. In this workshop we will also cover soldering, fusing, granulation, stone setting with a bezel cup, shaping and polishing.

Learn how to anodize Krystal© titanium to reveal its close packed hexagonal crystalline structure. Using a resist, we will layer various colors as we ramp up the voltage. We will also explore heat-treating titanium to achieve vibrant colors such as golds, magentas, purples, and blues. You will also explore the benefits of working with tarnish-resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling. We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, discs and square wire, enabling us to reduce the number of solder joints in our pieces, as well as roller printing patterns on the Argentium silver to give it texture. You will have the option of adding a colorful patina or a bright shiny polish to the silver to add an extra layer of wow! Other techniques we will cover in this jam-packed weekend are bezel setting, granulation, riveting, and more. You will use Robert’s “Stinger Riveting System” to make quick and flawless rivets that will join roll printed and patina silver to a sheet of titanium full of colors and free-flowing organic energy.

Chimera- a single organism that contains two or more sets of DNA. This project was inspired by the iris of a chimera having two different colored eyes. The main element of the pendant is made up of three different metals: gold, silver and titanium, to achieve different color variations. The gold and silver will be fused together in a process called Kuem-Boo. Kuem-Boo is an ancient Korean technique of guilding gold foil to silver using heat and pressure and adds a wonderful contrast of color to the silver. The silver can be left white for subtle contrast or you can darken the silver with a patina to dramatically add contrast. The second part of the iris will be constructed of heat colored Krystal Titanium©. Krystal Titanium© is titanium that has been etched to reveal the closely packed hexagonal crystal structure. When heat-treated, titanium will form a crystalline structure on the surface that appears as vibrant colors ranging from bronze, purple, blue, yellow, pink and green. The hexagonal crystals will actually color differently giving the metal a glittery effect. Some of the other techniques we will focus on in this workshop are riveting, sawing, filing, shaping, roller printing, bezel making, stone setting, granulation, fusing and constructing a bail.

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Affinity bracelet workshop is the culmination of years of experimentation with fusing Argentium™ sterling silver. Argentium™ is a tarnish resistant alloy of sterling silver with an amazing ability of fusing components together without having to use solder. We will be easily fusing over fifty components together and only soldering three joints. The ability to fuse components is a game changer! Not needing to carefully file and fit components, place small solder bits, or having annoying overflow of solder will greatly expedite your jewelry making process. This workshop will also focus on coloring titanium with heat, giving it vibrant and durable colors ranging from bronze, purples, blues, pink, yellow and greens. The titanium sheet will be riveted to the interior of the cuff giving it a pop of color through fractures and crevices while also giving the bracelet added strength. Fractures?!!! Yes fractures. We will use Argentium's™ one “con” to our advantage. If Argentium™ is moved or manipulated while it is being heated at a high temperature, it could crack or break. As long as you are aware of this fact you can safely work the material and use Argentium™s fracturing properties to the benefit of your designs. We will also learn bezel making techniques, soldering, roller printing, granulation, texturing, patination, shaping, stone setting and polishing. Almost forgot about the three discs! We will be making a sheet of silver from fused silver wires that will be cut into discs that will then be fit into corresponding cutouts from the cuff; ultimately fused together, exposing hints of glimmering titanium.

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Designed to look like minerals pouring from a crevice in the earth, this raw organic pendant will blur the line between natural creation and the work of the hand. First, Robert will show us how to use Argentium silver’s fragility under the flame to our advantage, creating interesting design elements by carefully and intentionally fracturing the silver. Then we’ll not only fuse the pieces back together to create visual interest, we’ll fill the fracture with silver minerals we’ll create from scratch to build geologic bridges across the crevices.  Plus, we’ll use absolutely no solder to fabricate the top plate: the main top plate’s components will be completely fused in place, freeing ourselves from the problem of flooding the piece with annoying excess solder flow.

Then we’ll move on to building the organic bottom half of the pendant with its leaf like shape and colorful titanium disc. In a departure from his use of traditional titanium, Robert will introduce us to a titanium product that – when combined with heat work and Robert’s special resist – results in extraordinary color play and a textured, matte crystalline surface unmatched by any other metal. We’ll set the disc in a non-traditional manner, framing it in thick square wire and using Robert’s Stinger Riveting system to easily create smooth rivet heads. We’ll finish by adding a glossy shimmering pearl before combining the two halves and topping the whole thing off with a hand built bail. Along the way, this extraordinary project will also cover roll printing, soldering, textured bezel fabrication, granulation, cutting, shaping, patination, and more.

This is an intermediate project and you should be comfortable soldering unattended. We’re providing all the tools, materials and equipment necessary for you to enjoy all three days and complete the project, so all you have to do is bring eye magnification (if you need it) and plan to have fun!

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-Roller printing a pattern on the titanium to give it more texture.

-Argentium Sterling Silver: We will cover the benefits of working with tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling.  We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, and wire enabling us to cut back on solder joints.

  -Water casting.  A demonstration will be provided.  Students may participate depending on time constraints to be determined at instructor’s discretion.

-Bezel setting. I will also instruct students on the process and benefits of constructing a thick wall bezel with tabs for setting a cabochon.

 The workshop will also cover texturing, soldering, patina, forming and finishing. 

The ability to walk that fine line between total collapse of a piece and control of the fine nuances is a skill that must be accomplished while fusing Argentium Sterling Silver. This skill can be mastered with practice.  When learning to fuse, one tends to go a little too far and the metals may shrink, warp, bubble or melt a bit. I find that this sometimes adds wonderful textures that I could not repeat if I tried so I have learned to value their contribution to the piece.

In this workshop we will cover the benefits of using tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Among one of the benefits of Argentium is its ability to fuse together extremely well while holding fine textures. The top, petal portion of the pendant will be made primarily of fused components. We will punch out silver discs that will then be roller printed for texture. I will then demonstrate how to make water casts that we will fused to the petals. With practice, one can learn to fuse multiple components together all the while keeping textures that have been applied prior. Fusing multiple joints minimizes the need for solder joints that would eventually show up during oxidation.  We will also work on bezel setting a cabochon. I believe I have come up with some unique ways of setting a cabochon that some students may want to add to their skill set.

-Heat treating titanium to obtain an attractive and durable crystalline structure. The heat treatment can achieve vibrant colors including gold, magenta, purples and blues.  We will be using a special resist to achieve unique color patterning on titanium. 

-Roller printing a pattern on the titanium to give it more texture.

-Argentium Sterling Silver: We will cover the benefits of working with tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling.  We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, and wire enabling us to cut back on solder joints.

  -Water casting.  A demonstration will be provided.  Students may participate depending on time constraints to be determined at instructor’s discretion.

-Bezel setting. I will also instruct students on the process and benefits of constructing a thick wall bezel with tabs for setting a cabochon.

-Riveting.  Students will be using Robert’s “Stinger Riveting System” to make quick and flawless rivets that will join silver and titanium. 

 The workshop will also cover texturing, soldering, patina, post setting pearls, forming and finishing. 

 Description: Unique hinged bracelet with hidden, keyhole catch is fabricated from heat-treated titanium and Argentium.

-Heat treating titanium to obtain an attractive and durable crystalline structure. The heat treatment can achieve vibrant colors including gold, magenta, purples and blues.  We will be using a special resist to achieve unique color patterning on titanium. 

-Roller printing a pattern on the titanium to give it more texture.

-Argentium Sterling Silver: We will cover the benefits of working with tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling.  We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, and wire enabling us to cut back on solder joints.

  -Water casting.  A demonstration will be provided.  Students may participate depending on time constraints to be determined at instructor’s discretion.

-Bezel setting. I will also instruct students on the process and benefits of constructing a thick wall bezel with tabs for setting a cabochon.

-Riveting.  Students will be using Robert’s “Stinger Riveting System” to make quick and flawless rivets that will join silver and titanium. 

-Hinge Clasp. I will instruct how to make a tube hinge and a hidden key hole clasp.

 The workshop will also cover texturing, soldering, patina, forming and finishing. 

Special Notes or requirements:

Kit includes:

Titanium 3 sheets 

Argentium silver sheet

Argentium silver wire 

Argentium Silver rivets

Cabochon

Solder

Water Casts

Instructor will provide the following for use in class:

Torches, texturing hammers, soldering supplies and stations, rolling mill, roller printing papers, texturing materials, patina, titanium resist, polishing supplies, Stinger Riveting System

 Description: Unique hinged bracelet with hidden, keyhole catch is fabricated from heat-treated titanium and Argentium.

-Heat treating titanium to obtain an attractive and durable crystalline structure. The heat treatment can achieve vibrant colors including gold, magenta, purples and blues.  We will be using a special resist to achieve unique color patterning on titanium. 

-Roller printing a pattern on the titanium to give it more texture.

-Argentium Sterling Silver: We will cover the benefits of working with tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling.  We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, and wire enabling us to cut back on solder joints.

  -Water casting.  A demonstration will be provided.  Students may participate depending on time constraints to be determined at instructor’s discretion.

-Bezel setting. I will also instruct students on the process and benefits of constructing a thick wall bezel with tabs for setting a cabochon.

-Riveting.  Students will be using Robert’s “Stinger Riveting System” to make quick and flawless rivets that will join silver and titanium. 

 The workshop will also cover texturing, soldering, patina, forming and finishing. 

Special Notes or requirements:

Kit includes:

Titanium 3 sheets 

Argentium silver sheet

Argentium silver wire 

Argentium Silver rivets

Cabochon

Solder

Water Casts

Instructor will provide the following for use in class:

Torches, texturing hammers, soldering supplies and stations, rolling mill, roller printing papers, texturing materials, patina, titanium resist, polishing supplies, Stinger Riveting System

Heat treating titanium to obtain an attractive and durable crystalline structure. The heat treatment can achieve vibrant colors including gold, magenta, purples and blues.  We will be using a special resist to achieve unique color patterning on titanium. 

-Roller printing a pattern on the titanium to give it more texture.

-Argentium Sterling Silver: We will cover the benefits of working with tarnish resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium is a silver alloy that is whiter and brighter than traditional sterling and can be annealed softer and hardened beyond traditional sterling.  We will be fusing Argentium silver granules, and wire enabling us to cut back on solder joints.

 -Bezel setting. I will also instruct students on the process and benefits of constructing a thick wall bezels with tabs for setting a cabochon.

-Riveting.  Students will be using Robert’s “Stinger Riveting System” to make quick and flawless rivets that will join silver and titanium. 

 The workshop will also cover texturing, soldering, patina, granulation, stamping, forming and finishing. 

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Come join us for this awesome workshop with my good friend and instructor Francesca Watson. Class will be held at my spacious and eclectic studio; located in the city of Yucaipa California at the base of the San Bernardino Mountain Range.

Rustic and weathered, this dimensional ring is a metaphor for the lives of many women we know: exteriors marked and textured by life, exteriors we gild and make beautiful to the best of our ability, while we hide our true treasure inside.

 Over the course of two days, we’ll use a variety of techniques to create and modify texture on sterling silver, then embellish it with 24k gold in an ancient Korean process called keum boo. Then we’ll build an elevated prong setting and choose representative treasures to tuck away inside before mounting it on a hand-fabricated wide textured band.

 This deeply personal project provides an opportunity to exercise many useful metalsmithing skills in new ways to create a truly unusual piece of wearable art. The Redemption Ring is an intermediate project; students should have prior soldering experience and be comfortable using a jeweler’s saw. Absolutely everything necessary to complete the project is provided in this workshop – all tools, materials, and equipment! Just bring eye magnification and be ready to have fun!