Creative Stone Setting with Pattie Parkhurst

Class Description
This is a great class to invigorate our creative energies! Jewelers and metal artists alike will find a useful way to incorporate unusual shaped stones, raw stones and other hard to set objects into their art. Patti will demonstrate tips and tricks about prong setting and bezil setting with an emphasis on irregular shaped stones as well as 3-4 common types of settings she prefers for pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings. Choosing from a selection of found objects, crystals, and raw stones you will create a variety of interesting fun and dynamic set pieces.
We'll take a break for lunch and there are places nearby to grab a bite, but you can also bring your lunch if you want more workshop time to practice.
Tools and Equipment
What you’ll want to bring:
Set of basic pliers
Snips/cutters
Files
Saw
Set of drill bits
Heart bur
Stone setting bur
Metal stamps (optional)
Sand paper
Found objects or odd shaped stones (optional). Patti will bring a hoard of weird stones for students to purchase.
Sheet of 22g (whatever metal) large enough to set your stones.
Copper or silver wire, 20 or 22 gauge if you have larger stones then you need larger gauge wire like a 16 or 14.
For every wire you get you need the corresponding drill bit that is the same size as your wire. Here is a good chart to find out what bits you need. http://www.riogrande.com/Content/Drill-Bit-to-Wire-Gauge-Conversion-Chart-CG-html?Pos=2
Sheet of 20 ga 6”x1” fine silver sheet
Materials Kit
None
Pattie will bring a hoard of weird stones for students to purchase
About the Instructor
The exploration of metalsmithing techniques is an endless adventure. The search for new means of expression can become an obsession driven by endless hours of practice. The obsession that fuels my work combines a technique called “anticlastic raising” with additional processes to enhance aesthetics and color.
I begin by hammering a flat metal sheet hundreds sometimes thousands of times over an antler-like form that I have fabricated from Delron plastic or steel rods. The rods are first heated, bent, sanded, and polished. Then I place the “antlers” in a vice and the hammering begins, over and over, shaping antler curves over and over to create the desired forms, from tiny earrings to 5 foot tall sculptures. For the larger contours I use a wider curve and a larger hammer; for the more delicate figures I use a small curve and a small hammer.
After hours of hammering the desired shape and appearance has emerged. I finish the pieces with stone settings or add patina for color.
Seats Available
Maximum eight (8) students. All participants will be required to sign a waiver.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Register for the workshop on Meetup
This is a great class to invigorate our creative energies! Jewelers and metal artists alike will find a useful way to incorporate unusual shaped stones, raw stones and other hard to set objects into their art. Patti will demonstrate tips and tricks about prong setting and bezil setting with an emphasis on irregular shaped stones as well as 3-4 common types of settings she prefers for pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings. Choosing from a selection of found objects, crystals, and raw stones you will create a variety of interesting fun and dynamic set pieces.
We'll take a break for lunch and there are places nearby to grab a bite, but you can also bring your lunch if you want more workshop time to practice.
Tools and Equipment
What you’ll want to bring:
Set of basic pliers
Snips/cutters
Files
Saw
Set of drill bits
Heart bur
Stone setting bur
Metal stamps (optional)
Sand paper
Found objects or odd shaped stones (optional). Patti will bring a hoard of weird stones for students to purchase.
Sheet of 22g (whatever metal) large enough to set your stones.
Copper or silver wire, 20 or 22 gauge if you have larger stones then you need larger gauge wire like a 16 or 14.
For every wire you get you need the corresponding drill bit that is the same size as your wire. Here is a good chart to find out what bits you need. http://www.riogrande.com/Content/Drill-Bit-to-Wire-Gauge-Conversion-Chart-CG-html?Pos=2
Sheet of 20 ga 6”x1” fine silver sheet
Materials Kit
None
Pattie will bring a hoard of weird stones for students to purchase
About the Instructor
The exploration of metalsmithing techniques is an endless adventure. The search for new means of expression can become an obsession driven by endless hours of practice. The obsession that fuels my work combines a technique called “anticlastic raising” with additional processes to enhance aesthetics and color.
I begin by hammering a flat metal sheet hundreds sometimes thousands of times over an antler-like form that I have fabricated from Delron plastic or steel rods. The rods are first heated, bent, sanded, and polished. Then I place the “antlers” in a vice and the hammering begins, over and over, shaping antler curves over and over to create the desired forms, from tiny earrings to 5 foot tall sculptures. For the larger contours I use a wider curve and a larger hammer; for the more delicate figures I use a small curve and a small hammer.
After hours of hammering the desired shape and appearance has emerged. I finish the pieces with stone settings or add patina for color.
Seats Available
Maximum eight (8) students. All participants will be required to sign a waiver.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- You may cancel up to 5 business days prior to the start of the class and receive a full refund, less $10 processing.
- Cancellations 3-5 business days prior to the start of the class are eligible for a 50% refund.
- Cancellations occurring less than 3 business days prior to the start date will not be refunded,
- In the event we have to cancel a class, you will be notified prior to the start date and will be issued a full refund
Register for the workshop on Meetup