Image 1 of 4
Image 2 of 4
Image 3 of 4
Image 4 of 4
Dates: Dec 5 - 7
Times: Fri - Sun 9:30am - 4:30pm
Level: Beginning - Advanced
Membership Price: n/a
THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT WORKSHOP
To register contact: Nancy Gardner outlawstudio@mcn.org or Call/text 707 972-4178
This workshop will take place on the grounds of the Mendocino Art Center but will be independently organized and facilitated by Nancy Gardner, who will also handle all registrations directly. The cost of the workshop is $395 plus a $30 MAC studio use fee. An optional soldering kit will be available for purchase. Please contact the instructor directly for more information and to register.
Optional Soldering Kit will be available for purchase in class: $50
Optional Soldering Kit includes: straight tweezers, self-locking tweezers, soldering pad, soldering pic, flux brush, square of sterling, and soft,medium, & hard solders.
Workshop Description:
Ready to take your jewelry making skills to the next level by mastering how to solder? Soldering is the foundation of metal fabrication and can vastly expand your abilities and designs. This workshop will be divided into two sections – one for beginners and the other for those more advanced. We start with covering the basic skills involved in metal fabrication and then practice those skills while designing your project for the weekend. I propose one of two possible projects ~ a ring or pendant with a bezel set cabochon stone. Both of these projects require various soldering challenges and fabrication skills. All tools and a copper sheet will be provided in class. Sterling silver and a few cabochon cut stones will be available for purchase. You are welcome to bring any of your own materials to use as well, such as a favorite pebble or piece of sea glass. More advanced students are encouraged to bring their own challenging fabrication projects and ideas. Together we will refine the design and outline the steps to produce it. I will guide you through realizing the piece.
Completion of this workshop will enable you to attend Tuesday Open Studio evenings at the Mendocino Art Center to continue with your jewelry making practice and spend time within a community of peers. Whether you are a complete beginner or more advanced, I guarantee you will learn new techniques and a few bench tricks from my 35 years of experience and have a really good time being creative!
About the Instructor:
Nancy Gardner has been making fine jewelry in Mendocino since 1985. As a child in Clarence, New York, she spent hours playing with her grandmother’s jewelry, which was kept in a brown velvet box in the attic. Nancy received her BA in design, concentration in metalsmithing at the University of New York, and went on to learn old world goldsmithing from master craftsmen in Italy and Portugal. She has participated in a number of international shows, and has taught silver and gold jewelry fabrication both in Europe and at the Mendocino Art Center. With a particular attraction to Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, Nancy brings a lifetime of technical expertise and an ongoing respect and love for her materials to her artistic process. Her one of a kind jewelry, much inspired by her elegant Grandmother, can be seen at her unique working studio and gallery space.
Required Materials:
Apron
Dust mask
Safety glasses
Pencil with good point
Thin line sharpie
Optional Materials:
If you have these items please bring them but otherwise the studio has all of the items below for your use in class:
Files – Standard and needle
Jewelry Pliers – ½ round, flat, needle nose, round nose
Saw Frame
Saw Blades – 2/0, 1/0
Bezel pusher