Portland Art and Soul Workshops
Registration is now open

Stephanie Lee
9-4:30
Thursday

1273 - Chain Gang

[back to quicklinks]
$ 135 Plus $20 materials fee  

Wire, earthy baubles, mixed metals and a little bit of sparkle….the perfect ingredients for the chunky chain necklaces you will learn how to make from scratch in this class. Using wire and a torch, you will create your own lumpy chain link necklaces – long, short, fat, skinny – I’ll show you how to do it all! These are not the picture perfect shiny necklaces you will find anywhere. These are earthy yet refined, one of a kind works of wearable art. The focal point of the necklace will be a torched frame (or bezel) that you will make and can either fill with plaster to then carve, paint, or transfer onto or fill with other found objects and ephemera. No metal-smithing experience is necessary, but even if you are a seasoned jeweler, you will walk away with new techniques to add to your toolbox. The kit fee covers the buldging kit of supplies consisting of an extra pre-made bezel frame, extra wire, sheet brass, clay for casting, brass bezel wire, super-fine grit sandpaper, plaster and the use of torches, all soldering supplies, and transfer medium. 

Supply List:
--Basic Art kit (scissors, a few tubes of acrylic paints, artist brushes, chalk pastels, favorite gel medium, rag, and water container)
--Craft Knife
--1 roll of uncoated Brass and/or Copper wire 16-20 gauge (If it has a coating to prevent tarnish or says anything like "Always Bright" or "tarnish resistant", it will not work well--the best source is a hardware store) If you prefer to use sterling, you are welcome to bring that instead/also in half hard or full hard. I recommend www.firemountaingems.com for sterling wire. (you can bring both types to mix and match metals. If you prefer sterling, you may bring that as well. The copper and brass are less expensive and great for practicing on.)
--Hammer
--Steel Block or Anvil
--Tin snips
--Wire cutters
--Needle nose pliers – one round tip and one flat tip
--Beads
--A few pieces of smaller imagery (Laser copies are best – color or black and white)

Optional items:
--butane torch and heat safe surface if you have one already and if you are familiar with working with it. (The Art and Soul store usually has butane refill canisters for purchase)
--found objects
--Sterling silver or Any kind of wire to incorporate into necklace with beads, found objects, etc.
--Dremel tool with steel or brass brush attachment (if you have one already)

Materials fee includes:
--Torches
--All soldering supplies including flux, solder, and torching surfaces
--Metal aging solutions
--Plaster
--Clay for casting
--Miscellaneous tools and supplies

Contact the Instructor at stephanielee@q.com

CLOSED - CLASS FULL