Links, Chains, and A Little Heat - Virtual Workshop

This course is designed to teach chains and links that combine cold and balled wire connections to make simple, elegant, or funky elements for chain link earrings, bracelets, or necklaces. The focus of this class will be placed on using simple tools and techniques such as hammer forging, piercing, plier forming, texturing, and stitching, in combination with minimal heat from a butane or mini-torch to make closed-link, balled wire connections in a variety of designs. This class is perfect for those with limited access to studio tools or torch systems and will build on basic metalsmithing knowledge.

Some experience with utilizing heat is required. Torch safety will be covered during the course.  

Class will be held live via Zoom during the designated time frame. A link to the Zoom room will be sent via email. 

Please read the Materials & Tools tab! 

Meet the instructor

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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

Students will need to have the following materials in preparation for this online workshop. If you do not already have them, we have provided a recommended item and/or a vendor from which you can purchase these items. Click the vendor name to the right of each item to be redirected to the a page where you can find or choose the item. The quantities you need for each item are listed first. Please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. Please order these materials as soon as possible due to longer than usual turn-around times. We recommend not opening the item packaging until the day of the workshop.

You can use whatever metal you have on hand to practice with. Silver is recommended to ball with. The instructor will demo in Argentium silver and copper. 

You will need a fire proof surface to use your torch on. If you do not have one, get the following item. 

  • 1 x steel baking sheet (Amazon)
Students should bring

In addition to the above items, you will want to have the following items available: 

  • fire proof work surface (if you do not have one, you can purchase the steel tray listed above) 
  • safety glasses 
  • torch (if you do not have one, you can purchase the butane torch listed above)
  • flex-shaft, hand drill, Dremel tool, or micro motor hand-piece (if you do not have one, you can purchase the hand drill listed above)
Virtual Course
Tuition
$225.00
Instructor
Paulette Werger
Level
Basic and above
Pre-requisites
Intro workshop or similar experience
Location
Virtual - Eastern Time Zone
Length
  • 0 days
 

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