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Connecting without Heat: Riveting and more!

Cold connections are more than just a joint; they have function and form and can actually be a design feature. Decorative rivets, invisible rivets, tube rivets, stitches, tabs, and staples, are just some of the alternatives to soldering.  All of these connections offer so many opportunities to use materials that cannot take the heat of the torch...glass, paper, feathers, fabric, rubber, found objects, metal that has been treated with a patina… almost anything! 

Students will spend time making a series of samples to learn each type of connection demonstrated.  After practicing, each student will build a palm-sized book with paper, metal, and rivets. Tell your story, share a poem, or recreate a dream in the pages of this short metal bound book. Small found objects and photographs are welcome, but be prepared to alter what you bring. This primarily torch-free class will teach the basic tricks of the trade by using common tools from around the house and garage.

Students will work in copper and/or brass and learn sawing, surface textures, drilling, and a variety of riveting techniques. Examples of recommended found objects are buttons, charms, old jewelry, photocopies of photographs, and wood or small plastic objects. Found objects are not required, but can easily add a bit of quirkiness or something personal to any story.

This class is for all levels. Some prior metalworking experience may be helpful but it is not necessary. All tools needed will be provided at class.

Meet the instructor

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Lindsay Mis' (pronounced meesh) has been making jewelry and sculpture for over 10 years. She received her MFA with from UMass Dartmouth and her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, both degrees with a focus on metalsmithing. For three years, Mis' had worked as a production jeweler for designer Gabriel Ofiesh, while teaching metals classes at The Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Mis' left Virginia for an opportunity to work at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, where she stayed for three seasons. Mis' currently maintains a studio in an old fiber mill in New Bedford, MA where she is also the Exhibition and Events manager for the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!

 

Materials & Tools

A materials fee of $25 is payable upon registration and includes Brass and Copper sheet and wire for each student to make their book.

Students should bring
  • Craft paper to use as book paper and also to sketch on (any color is fine) We will have some available for the books, but students are welcome to bring their own special paper if they wish.
  • Fine sharpie marker and pencil
  • Small metal ruler (if you have it)
 

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