Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: Basic Metalsmithing Skills
Program: Fall
Status: Closed
Length: 3 Days
Tuition: $ 425
Materials: $ 25
Date: November 17, 2006 - November 19, 2006
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Metalwerx

In this class, a piece of sheet silver will be pierced and sawed, then enameled "in air" (no backing) with transparent or translucent enamels. The end result is one which resembles intricate and beautiful miniature stained glass. Sound easy? Once you learn some of the "secrets", it will be!

The class will construct a predetermined design and/or create their own design, depending on time available and skill of participants.  This class is structured so that there will be no soldering, just lots of sawing and enameling.  The class will include learning basic enameling skills such as sifting, washing, grinding, firing, and polishing. No previous experience is necessary, but a steady hand and good eyesight (magnification is great!) will ensure success.

Materials & Tools

Students should bring:

• Safety glasses/ eye protection
• Dust/ particle mask
• Magnifying visor/ glasses (optional - but recommended
• Apron (optional)
• Rubber cement (can be shared)
• Center Punch
• Small mallet or hammer to hit center punch
• Drill bits (small sizes #61-70 range is fine)
• 2"x2" sterling silver 16 ga.
• Enamels (transparent make the stained glass window effect) 6-10 is ample
• 325 sifter with top and botom (optional, for saving fines if desired)
• Small paint brush (to clean stray enamel off wires - short hair/ fairly stiff 6/0 - 10/0
• Small containers for wet enamels (plastic with lids can be purchased from Thompson Enamel - they are ideal)
• Scissors
• Notebook and pen or pencil if you are inclined to take notes
• Files (various needle files - flat, round, barette, half round) and one larger flat file - all with fairly smooth cuts (2 or 4)
• Small hand towel(s) (saves paper towels!)
• Sharpie permanent markers (fine and extra fine points)

• Saw frame and blades (3/0 and 5/0)
• Small 3 or 4 point trivet to hold 1"-2" piece of work
• Glass brush and toothbrush
• Sanding sticks
• Diamond file sticks (200/400/ 800 - whatever you have)
• Abrasive papers - approximately 200-600 grit - 1 sheet of each
• Burs, wheels, mandrels, etc for flex shaft (your favorites for polishing metal and removing excess enamel)
• Watch or timer showing seconds
• ***The following will be available for purchase - if you do not wish to purchase it from the instructor, you will need to bring the following:
• Small twisted handle spatula for inlaying enamel - $15