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Form: The Art of Metal Manipulation
Adding dimension to one's jewelry designs can transform the work and elevate its appeal! In this demo-focused virtual class students will explore some basic metal manipulation techniques - fold forming, shell forming, forging, scoring, chasing and hollow forms. Lesley will show how combining these techniques can transform your work,
creating complex and interesting sculptural designs.
This is a technique based class. This is not a project based class. Students will be asked to focus on how these techniques combined can expand their work and technical skills.
This class is perfect for beginners and advanced alike. Basic soldering skills are required.
Meet the instructor
Creating is a process constantly in motion, one that keeps the maker searching for balance. Lesley hopes to create work that provokes thought. Bordering between sculpture and jewelry each is thoughtful in design and construction representing a meaning deeper than aesthetics. She is fascinated with juxtaposition and fluidity of materials. Her work is about exploring the aspects of ephemeral impressions and the urbanity of metal. She uses precious metals, stones and alternative materials to explore these expressions.
Using low-tech traditional metal smithing techniques and tools, each piece is created in Lesley’s studio in the tradition of the American Studio Art Jewelry movement of the 1940’s through the 60’s, which dictates that the work is created entirely in the artist’s studio. Her work is hand fabricated using recycled metals and ethically, sustainably-mined gemstones.
Creating jewelry since 1984, Lesley is the daughter of two professional artists. An artistically rich environment that molded her vision and ethic. Lesley's jewelry reflects a dedication to excellence in craft and attention to narrative. Each piece is unique with the intent to evoke conversation and represent the wearers personal expression. Lesley is currently exploring deep sculptural constructions.
Lesley lives and works in the high desert mountains of northern Arizona.
Visit www.lesleyainemckeown.com to view Lesley's work.
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 to be redirected to a page where you can view 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 not required - observers are welcome.
There is no kit for this class. Items are suggested if you wish to work along in class but not required.
Metal/raw materials:
- 1 x 6x4 inch sheet of 24g sterling silver, dead-soft, brushed finish (RioGrande)
- 1 x 6x12 inch sheet of 24g copper (RioGrande)
- 1 x 2x2 inch silver sheet solder, hard (RioGrande)
- 1 x 2x2 inch silver sheet solder, medium (RioGrande)
- 1 x 2x2 inch silver sheet solder, easy (RioGrande)
- 1 x 12 inches of silver wire solder, hard (RioGrande)
- 1 x 12 inches of silver wire solder, medium (RioGrande)
- 1 x 12 inches of silver wire solder, easy (RioGrande)
- 1 x 12 inches of 4x1mm sterling silver rectangle wire, dead-soft (RioGrande)
- Dremel Cut Off wheels (Zoro)
Tools & Equipment: These are suggested and will make the class easier for you.
- Sandpaper CUBITRON II - PRO -220 grit (Zoro)
- Sawblades and Frame - blades 03 (Rio Grande) / (Rio Grande)
- Assorted Foredom wheels (polishing and grinding)
- Chasing tools if you have them - Not required but you will need some to do the demo
- Sanding sticks - Micro Mesh 180 - 240 grit (CongressTools)
- Sanding Stick - 80 grit soft-core (NailFileStore)
- Hemostats (HarborFreight)
Torch setup:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (Rio Grande or 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 paste flux (Rio Grande)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (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
- 1 x box baking soda
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 burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (Rio Grande)
- 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
- 1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
- 1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
- 1 x ball peen hammer (Rio Grande)
- 1 x chasing hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x raising hammer (RioGrande)
- 1 x dapping set - steel or wood (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items: