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Inspired Botanicals in Metal: Designing with Nature
This three-session class will examine the design structures borrowed from botany. Student will learn to translate, interpret, and design using motifs such as twigs, leaves, vines to create unusual pieces of jewelry that reference or mimic elements in nature and botanicals. Techniques such as forging, texturing, tapering, fusing, and fabrication in Argentium will be demonstrated and larger design discussions will be had in regards to making methodology and visual language.
For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page.
Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Paulette Werger is a metalsmith and teacher who works in Lebanon, NH. She sells her work both nationally and internationally and is owner of Metalpeople East, a jewelry and hollow ware studio. She has taught metalsmithing at the University of WI, Montana State University, and at craft schools throughout the country.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials:
- 2"x4" x Argentium® sheet - 22g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 24" min. x Argentium® round wire - 18g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 24" min. x Argentium® round wire - 16g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 24" min. x Argentium® round wire - 14g dead soft (Rio Grande)
- 24" min. x Argentium® round wire - 12g dead soft (Rio Grande)
Soldering setup:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x Solderite™ pad (Rio Grande)
- 1 x compressed charcoal block - hard (Rio Grande)
- 1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or butane (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (Rio Grande)
- 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
- 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
- 1 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x Ronda's Purple Flux (Rio Grande)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 2"x1" Argentium® sheet solder - 30g medium (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 12" Argentium® wire solder - 20g medium (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)
- 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
- 1 x small brush - for flux
- 1 x liquid hand soap - for cleaning metal
Hand tools:
- 1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
- 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
- 1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
- 1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
- 1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
- 1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm (Rio Grande)
- 1 x dapping set - steel or wood (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack medium flat edge pumice wheel (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack radial bristle pumice disc - pink (Rio Grande)
- 1 x 1/16" screw mandrel - 3/32" shank (Rio Grande)
- 1 x micro polishing pads (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
- hard work surface
- fan and open window - or ventilation system
- safety glasses
- pencil, Sharpie, notebook
- rags/towels