Blowing the Lid Off! Uncommon Jewelry with Common Objects
With Richard Salley
One of the things that I enjoy most about working in the genre of 'found object jewelry' is to take something that we see or use on a daily basis and incorporate it into a piece of wearable art. For this special cold-connection workshop we will use as our starting point a metal jar lid…the kind you find on a Snapple bottle, baby food jar, Starbucks frappuccino bottle, or most any bottle or jar. Whether you are an experienced art jeweler or looking for your first class in jewelry making, you’ll learn a wealth of tips, tricks and techniques that you can apply to your own jewelry and assemblage projects. As the accompanying photos show, the class will focus on creating a ring, a brooch, a pendant and a hinged bracelet. Some of the cold-connection techniques covered will include (but not limited to) riveting (hand-made and commercial), staples, tabs, prongs, folds, and micro fasteners. In addition to the fabrication skills, we will explore metal etching and I’ll demo some basic torch-fired enamel processes which can be incorporated into the jewelry pieces. You will also be introduced to Faux Bone for possible use in the projects. The example photos below will give you and idea of the range of possibilities starting with the metal jar lid, some basic skills and lots of imagination.
Pendant using jar lid, etched nickel, iron wire and a shark's tooth.
Hinged bracelet with jar lid, copper wire, copper sheet, Arizona turquoise specimen.
Pendant with jar lid, Faux Bone, enamel on copper, buffalo tooth, rusty nails and steel wire.
Brooch or Pendant with Faux Bone, deer antler, jar lid, copper wire.
Hinged Bracelet using rusty paint jar lid, Sari fabric, and etched brass.
Hinged Pendant/Locket with jar lid, etched copper, copper wire.
Pendant with jar lid, copper wire, Faux Bone, ammonite fossil.
Pendant with jar lid, etched and stamped copper, watch parts.
Hinged bracelet with clasp using jar lid, African bead, horse hair, Faux Bone, textured sheet copper, copper wire.
Brooch using torch-fired enamel on copper.
Supply List:
Click here for a printable supply list.
- Sheet copper or brass (24 or 26 gauge) approx. 6 inches x 6 inches minimum.
- Four or more bottle/jar metal lids (approx. 1 ½ - 2” in diameter like Snapple, Starbucks Frappuccino, baby food jars, etc.)
- brass or copper wire in 20, 14 and 16 gauges (approx 20 feet or so should do)
- Bring a variety of found objects such as buttons, game pieces, old jewelry, fossils, minerals, and industrials materials (chain, electronic parts, etc.) to incorporate into the design of the completed piece.
Tool List:
- Basic jewelry making tools will be needed, including round nose and flat nose pliers, wire cutters (flush cutters recommended)
- Jeweler’s saw and #0 or #00 blades
- Bench Pin
- Bench block (bring something for dampening the hammering noise such as a shot bag or towel)
- Metal snips or cutters (if you already have some)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Metal files
- Ball peen hammer
- Small riveting hammer
- Small bench block
- Rag or towel to sound proof hammering
- Ear plugs (if needed)
Optional
I will have some of these to share, but bring your own if you have them
- Dremel Tool or similar rotary tool for drilling and #56 drill bit or 1/16 inch drill bit
- Hole Punch Pliers (1.25mm) available at http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/product/31924/
- Center Punch
Resources:
supplies and tools can be found at the following
www.monsterslayer.com
www.riogrande.com
www.sfjssantafe.com
www.contenti.com
www.harborfreight.com
Questions?
Email Richard at: art@rsalley.com
Website:
http://rsalley.com
