"Soldering and metal clay" two days workshop in silver
"Soldering and metal clay" two days workshop in silver |
„Soldering and metal clay” is a two days class which can bring your metal clay creations to a completely new level. You will try your hand at four basic types of soldering, especially useful for metal clay artists.
→ Soldering a bezel setting on a metal clay piece
→ Soldering a jumpring to your metal clay piece
→ Soldering earposts to metal clay stud earrings
→ Sweat soldering of metal clay element onto sterling silver or copper sheet
You will make five, very simple fine silver metal clay elements (a pair of stud earrings and three elements for pendants) that will be used for your soldering projects.
If you want to work on something more elaborate you can also bring with you fired or unfired pieces which you want to solder to. Remember that in this class we are focusing on techniques of soldering on metal clay, not on making complicated metal clay creations.
Main objectives
- learn basics of soldering in general and specifics od soldering on metal clay
- learn to make soldered bezel settings for your metal clay pieces to avoid shrinkage issues
- get to know different methods of soldering sterling silver jumprings to add some extra strength to your designs
- try your hand at fast and effective method of soldering earposts
- learn the idea behind sweat soldering and make a simple project using this method to widen design and construction options for your metal clay/metalsmithed pieces.
List of necessary tools and materials:
- Fine silver clay (Art Clay 999, PMC3 or other clay with coresponding firing schedule), 15 g. You can also bring any small unfired or fired pieces you would like to try soldering on.
- your favourite working surface – bigger one and a few smaller ones (even the size of playing cards)
- roller, cards etc. all those basic things you use to work with metal clay you normally use.
- fine files (round, flat, semi round)
- something with a pointy end (stainless steel burnisher/toothpick/needle tool etc.)
- brushes – at least two (for working wet and dry)
- something sharp for cutting clay – scalpel blade, needle tool etc.
- scissors, pencils, sketchbook for making sketches
- tweezers, preferably with pointy ends, suitable to grab really tiny things.
- students can bring various tiny moulds, if they want to.
- you can bring your favourite textures too, if you feel like so.
- if someone uses glasses,please, do not forget them.
- optivizor might be helpful in this class.
- you can bring a cabochon (under 2 cm), but the studio also provides a selection of stones for training
- round pliers
The studio of course has all the necessary tools, but if everyone forgets to bring theirs we migth have a problem :-). Plus it's always nicer to work with your favourite equipment that you are used to.
