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Cornucopia of Beading Wire and Polymer Possibilities
Bonnie will be offering her uniques tricks and techniques for working with Beading Wire and Polymer clay. There are so many fun possibilities to explore when working with this simple medium.
Learn to create everything from clean and light findings for earrings to lattice like chandelier earrings and linked necklace pieces using veneers of polymer and multi strand, nylon coated beading wire. Learn about the ways these two mediums can work together to create fun, flexible lightweight, and durable earrings, necklaces, decorative elements for pins.
Class will include demonstrations, Bonnie's portfolio sharing, samples and lots of student work time for exploration.
Please be advised: Due to the need to order supplies, we customarily close registration for our on-site offerings one week before the start date. If you wish to join the class after registration closes, please contact us at [email protected] or 781-891-3854.
Meet the instructor
Bonnie Bishoff has worked collaboratively with her artistic partner and husband J. M. Syron since 1987. Starting as furniture makers, they made work that incorporated large panels of polymer veneers for 28 years. Gradually they shifted their focus to explore jewelry and mixed media pieces.They tend to work in series and on several fronts at once. The focus of their jewelry has been creating metal armatures, textured and oxidized metal surfaces, and polymer marquetry surface designs. In addition they have been exploring a series of wall panels or "paintings" in polymer veneers and wire armatured sculptures.
They have exhibited widely in galleries and fine craft shows including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Museum exhibitions include the Peabody Essex, The Museum of Art and Design, NY and the permanent collection of the Racine Art Museum. Their materials include veneers of polymer clay, silver, bronze, copper, and wood. They aim to create work that projects an expansive notion of art and creative pursuit to be shared by the wearer with the world.
Materials & Tools
There is a $35 materials fee for this workshop that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes 2 different sizes of Accu-flex Nylon-coasted stainless steel beading wire and silver finish brass crimp beads to match, and access to communal studio tools and supplies such as waxed paper, masking tape, cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the unpredictable cost of precious metals, starting in Fall 2026 Metalwerx will no longer provide unlimited solder for use in the studio. Your instructor will order the amount needed for use during your class.
Note: Metalwerx has available all that you will need, but these tools and supplies need to be shared, and are not always in "mint" condition. Be sure to clearly mark any tools you bring from your home studio so they are easily identifiable.
REQUIRED:
- Pasta machine
- Cutting surface (flexible cutting board, etc.)
- Your favorite polymer tools
- Paper and pencil
- Polymer Clay 2 oz each:
- Premo Fimo or Cernit Translucent Regular or Bleached, Pearl White, Green, Pink, Coral or Lavender (flower colors)
- Your favorite canes and veneers or 20 ounces of solid clay colors that you like - the main focus will be construction techniques not surface design.
- #11 X-acto knife
- Needle tool or extra small crochet hook
- Burnishing tool, bone folder or spoon
- Small shape cutters, especially a petal and leaf shapes and small circles
- Closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
- Lunch – there will be a 1-hour break for lunch on each day of the workshop
- Metalwerx has a fridge, toaster oven, and microwave
- There is a deli/sandwich shop within walking distance of the studio.