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The Original Imaginative Captures
They used to call Andy “The Crusher” for his heavy hand in stone setting. If he wanted to use stones — without breaking them — he had to find a different way. What began as a work-around became a way of working: This is Capturing.
Capturing is really a mindset. Once we understand the basic principles that make a bezel or prongs work, we can reinterpret and reapply those mechanics, so that nearly anything—from found objects to enamels, rusty bits, organics or plastic chickens — can become a “gemstone”. Even a gemstone.
Imaginative Captures is designed to help you think outside the bezel. To liberate the problem solver within and break down some of the rigid walls that exist between ideas, process and materials. It can help you develop new, elegant, more seamless ways to incorporate stones, enamels or other objects in your work. Along the way we’ll get up close and personal with the flex shaft, soldering, cold connections and other tips and tricks that can help you find a new way to look at how you are working.
So if you need a creative shot in the arm or if you just can’t figure out a compelling way to use that stone or little found treasure you’ve been holding onto for years, Imaginative Captures may be just what you’re looking for.
Participants must have basic jewelry skills and experience with the rolling mill, torches, hammers, buffers, etc. Required skills include drilling with the flex shaft machine, sawing, filing, silver soldering and basic bezel setting. Those who enroll must be able to solder unattended.
PLEASE READ THE MATERIALS & TOOLS TAB CAREFULLY TO BE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TO BRING.
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
Andy Cooperman makes all sorts of things from all sorts of things and is known for applying the rigorous craft of fine metalsmithing to a wide variety of often disparate materials. He has supported himself as a jeweler and metalsmith for over forty years and has been a writer and educator for close to that. His work has been published widely and can be found in public and private collections. Andy has earned 1st Place in the Rio Grande Saul Bell Awards for Alternative Materials. He has delivered the keynote addresses for the International Society of Glass bead Makers and the Eastern Carolina University Materials Topics Symposium and has spoken at the SNAG and CoMA conferences, the Yuma Symposium and a variety of other venues.
Materials & Tools
There is a $25 materials fee for this class payable upon registration that covers silver solder and communal studio supplies needed to complete exercises and projects.
Additionally, there is a $30 materials fee for this class that is payable to the instructor during class. The materials kit includes:
- Some Brass and Bronze sheet, including brass sheet for a “get-yer-feet-wet” project/exercise
- Stainless wire and pin materials
- Separating discs and mandrels
- Other cool stuff to get you started (plastic chickens, test tubes, etc.)
Required:
- Several objects that you want to build your work around - a stone, a mineral, a bead, a button, a found object, an enamel, whatever - this will be what we will focus on
- Since each of your projects will be for the most part personally-driven, there is NO SET LIST of raw materials to suit everyone, but you will need to bring metal to work with.
- Bring whatever metal you think that you may want to make one (or several) small brooches or other jewelry/objects from. This can include Sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze - even small amounts of gold.
- Sheet Material: At least 6”x6”, 18-22 gauge
Wire Material: 18-20 gauge round
Remember, we can always roll down thicker material or roll & draw down wire.
- Bring whatever metal you think that you may want to make one (or several) small brooches or other jewelry/objects from. This can include Sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze - even small amounts of gold.
Closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
PPE (safety glasses, apron, N95 particulate dust mask, ear plugs)
Shop towel
Ultra-Fine Point Sharpie
Notebook or sketchpad
Pen or pencil
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
Optional:
Many tools look alike. Please be sure to clearly mark any tools you bring with you from your home studio so they are easily identifiable.
- Favorite hand tools that you like to use such as:
- Pliers
- Sawframe & Blades (2/0, 6/0)
- Files
- Hand vice / ring clamp, etc.
- Burnisher (curved or straight)
- Small riveting or goldsmith’s hammer
- Flex shaft tools
- Any burs, buffs, abrasives, etc. that you might have
- Drills: any you have, especially:
- 1mm (18ga) approx. #58
- 0.8mm (20ga) approx. #66
- Magnifiers (loupe/Optivisors)
- Finishing materials, such as sandpaper/sanding sticks
- Emery (fine or medium)
- 220 grit
- Grit 400
- Measuring devices (if you have or use them)
- MM or Degree gauge
- Digital Calipers
- Dividers
- Ruler, etc.
Aside from metal and stones or found objects to work with, Please DO NOT PANIC if you don’t have any of the above.