Making Colorful Titanium Jewelry with Electricity and Heat

This workshop is intended to familiarize one with the understanding in how to work with titanium. The class will focus on techniques to color the metal using a touch (Heat), and by anodizing (electricity).  This class will give students a basic knowledge of titanium and its properties, uses and artistic possibilities. Participants will learn the traditional techniques of design, sawing,  and fabricating. Participants are encouraged to come with an imaginative, experimental approach to art making.

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Meet the instructor

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When designing jewelry, I incorporate geometric influences of human and naturally made objects. These combined visual patterns and shapes help stimulate the creative process. The end results are graphic representations of sweeping curves, upward perspectives and overlapping alignments in detail. The goal is to establish images in miniature that go beyond the mundane and predictable which establishes a unique vision.

Each of my creations develops from graphic drawings on paper that transform to finished three-dimensional constructions. I hand cut metal components of sheet, tubing and wire to meet the demands of an intended design. Occasionally I implement technology by having some components laser cut. Little holes are arranged on the multiple parts with a drill press. Small wires are then fitted through. Measured pieces of tubing are beaded on to serve as spacers. This becomes a repeated layering activity and finished by having the wire ends tapped (rivets) with a hammer and anvil. The completed piece will incorporate my aesthetic concerns combined with the engineering elements that reflect my visual style.

The primary material I use is titanium (Ti). This gray-toned metal is ideal for jewelry design. It is light in weight, strong, hypoallergenic and non-corrosive. With many designs, I also combine gold and/or silver metals to highlight and add contrast to the finished piece.

The seeds for jewelry design began at an early age and took form in college. When I was five I began making plastic models. I focused on science fiction related themes and subjects of World War Two. With continued years of interest, I developed unique skills for making miniature objects. In college at The University of Iowa I became interested in studio art gravitating to metalsmithing and jewelry design. By the time I graduated in 1989 the years of making models and the education in metalworking provided opportunities for professional success.

I live in Kutztown Pennsylvania with my wife Amy and daughter Annabel. My wife is a professor in Art Education at Kutztown University. I work from home as a solo artist and travel the country exhibiting my jewelry and conducting workshops. As a family we enjoy cooking and entertaining. To keep in shape, I train regularly in Shorin-ryu karate. I stay involved in my daughter’s creative problem-solving program, (Odyssey of the Mind) as a coach and board member. When time provides I take pleasure in keeping track of my beloved Iowa Hawkeye football team.

 

 

View upcoming classes with E. Douglas Wunder

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 encouraged but not required.
 

Raw Materials/Consumables

Basic Hand Tools

Basic Home Studio

  •  ALL OF THE BELOW
  • 1 x rotary tool - flex shaft, micro motor, etc. (RioGrande)
  • 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (RioGrande)
  • 1 x half round forming pliers (RioGrande)
  • 1 x center punch (RioGrande)
  • 1 x scribe (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x ring clamp (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x riveting hammer (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x chasing hammer (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x steel block / steel surface (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x small steel ruler (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon) 
  • 1 x calipers - optional / nice to have (Amazon) 
  • 1 x dividers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)
  • 1 x sanding sticks - optional / nice to have (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x parallel pliers - optional / nice to have (RioGrande)

Basic Forming Tools 

Basic Soldering/Torch Set-up

  • 0 - ALL OF THE BELOW
  • 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot) 
  • 1 x Solderite™ pad / pan with pumice (RioGrande or RioGrande) 
  • 1 x compressed charcoal block - hard (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x torch - Smith mini, Silversmith, or propane (RioGrande or RioGrande) 
  • 1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x soldering tweezers (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x soldering pick (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x 3rd arm (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x cross lock tweezers (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x paste flux (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x 3 ft wire silver solder, 20ga, easy (RioGrande)
  • 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (RioGrande or Amazon) 
  • 1 x brass bristle brush (RioGrande) 
  • 1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (RioGrande 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 

Other/miscellaneous items 

  • hard work surface 
  • fan and open window - or ventilation system 
  • safety glasses 
  • pencil, Sharpie, notebook 
  • rags/towels
  • bench vise (HarborFreight)
  • Mini Anvil. RioGrande: Item #112498
  • 1 x pack #61 Drill Bits, (High Speed Twist Drills) (RioGrande): Item #349420
  • 1 x pack #60 Drill Bits, (High Speed Twist Drills). (RioGrande)
  • #58 Drill Bits, (High Speed Twist Drills) (RioGrande)
  • 1 x Bench Buffer (HomeDepot)
  • 1 x Loose-Weave Coarse Muslin Buffing Wheel (RioGrande)
  • 1 x Mini Drill Press. RioGrande: Item #330012
  • 1 x Rio Quick Finish Cutting Compound, 400 Grit. (RioGrande)
  • 1 x Micro Anodizer (RioGrande): Item #335250 
  • 1 x Multi Etch (Reactive Metals Studio)
  • 1 x Bead Blaster and Cabinet (RioGrande)
  • 1 x Glass Beads Blasting Media (RioGrande)
  • 1 x Midas Liver of Sulfer Gel RioGrande
  • 1 x Disc Cutter Set. RioGrande
  • Light Box /Tracing Table. Amazon and Walmart: Tikteck A4 Portable Light Box
  • 1 x WEN Electric Detailing Palm Sander (HomeDepot)
  • 1 x Palm Sander Hook and Loop 80 grit sandpaper (HomeDepot)

 

Cant find:

Cup Bur Set. Rio Grande: Item #342626
Aluminum Oxide Blasting Media. Rio Grande: Item #336165
1 x 3”x3” gold bi-metal, 24ga (
Porter-Cable Air Compressor. Home Depot: Model #PCFP02003
Tack Hammer. Home Depot: Model #MRWT

 

 

 

Virtual Course
Tuition
$260.00
Instructor
E. Douglas Wunder
Level
Basic and above
Pre-requisites
Jewelry 1 skills required
Length
  • 2 days
Schedule
  • August 12 - 19, 2026
    Weekly
    1:00pm – 3:00pm
Class Dates
  • August 12, 2026
  • August 19, 2026
 

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