Hot Forging Silver
For Jewelers and Metalsmiths
with Ira Sherman

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019. 9 am to 5 pm
Cost: $195 BoMA members. $245 for non-members
Materials kit: $10
Students will learn how to alloy and pour sterling silver ingots. We'll forge the poured ingots into square billets and forge the billets into a variety of predetermined designs using a variety of hot metal forging techniques. The forged elements made in this class can be directly integrated into future jewelry or sculpture designs.
Copper, silver, brass, and gold can be successfully forged while working the metal red hot. Hot forged metals will forge quickly and don't need to be repeatedly annealed. Hot forging allows the metalsmith to forge large billets of metal allowing larger and more dynamic forged design elements.
Prequisites
This is an intermediate metalsmithing class and students should have some experience with jewelry and metalsmithing fabrication techniques and studio tools.
About the Instructor
Ira Sherman has been exploring the boundaries of metal fabrication and design since the early 1970s, both as a highly successful custom goldsmith and jeweler, and as an internationally recognized sculptor. His sculptural work uses materials and shapes from science and technology, yet “bio-engineered” to interact with the audience or viewer in a uniquely human way. Many of Sherman’s pieces are, in fact, “prostheses” created around a humorous social concept. These are worn on the body, and may be shockingly intimate. Many of Sherman’s sculptures have sensors that let them interact with the participant or the audience. Parts of his current traveling exhibitions, "Panaceas to Persistent Problems" and "Impenetrable Devices" have been displayed in exhibitions in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel and Japan; the Spertus Museum , the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of American Art , the Regional Transporation District of Denver Public Art Collection and the National Ornamental Metal Museum have aquired Sherman art work for their permanent collections.
Students Need to Bring
- Medium weight cross-peen hammer. https://www.hammersource.com/Blacksmithing-Hammers/Vaughan-2lb-Professional-Cross-Pein-Blacksmith-hammer-with-hickory-handle/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjNL218eA5QIVBr7ACh1TAw-9EAQYASABEgKo-fD_BwE
- 2 oz .999 fine silver
- EYE AND EAR PROTECTION REQUIRED
Materials Kit $10 (Supplied by Instructor)*
- Copper for alloying
- Tools for use in class
CANCELLATION POLICY
- You may cancel up to 14 days prior to the start of the class and receive a full refund, less $25 processing. To cancel, send an email to info@bouldermetalsmiths.com.
- Cancellations less than 14 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.
- Registration is not transferrable. You may not sell your seat to another student.
- By clicking on the “I’m going” button and paying the registration fee, you are agreeing to this cancellation policy.
- No Exceptions.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 10
Students must be 18 and over. Students will be required to sign a waiver
Registration open now
Class Description
Copper, silver, brass, and gold can be successfully forged while working the metal red hot. Hot forged metals will forge quickly and don't need to be repeatedly annealed. Hot forging allows the metalsmith to forge large billets of metal allowing larger and more dynamic forged design elements.
Students will learn how to alloy and pour sterling silver ingots. We'll forge the poured ingots into square billets and forge the billets into a variety of predetermined designs using a variety of hot metal forging techniques. The forged elements made in this class can be directly integrated into future jewelry or sculpture designs.
PREREQUISITES
This is an intermediate metalsmithing class and students should have some experience with jewelry and metalsmithing fabrication techniques and studio tools.
About the Instructor
Ira Sherman has been exploring the boundaries of metal fabrication and design since the early 1970s, both as a highly successful custom goldsmith and jeweler, and as an internationally recognized sculptor. His sculptural work uses materials and shapes from science and technology, yet “bio-engineered” to interact with the audience or viewer in a uniquely human way. Many of Sherman’s pieces are, in fact, “prostheses” created around a humorous social concept. These are worn on the body, and may be shockingly intimate. Many of Sherman’s sculptures have sensors that let them interact with the participant or the audience. Parts of his current traveling exhibitions, "Panaceas to Persistent Problems" and "Impenetrable Devices" have been displayed in exhibitions in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel and Japan; the Spertus Museum , the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of American Art , the Regional Transporation District of Denver Public Art Collection and the National Ornamental Metal Museum have aquired Sherman art work for their permanent collections.
Students Need to Bring
- Medium weight cross-peen hammer. https://www.hammersource.com/Blacksmithing-Hammers/Vaughan-2lb-Professional-Cross-Pein-Blacksmith-hammer-with-hickory-handle/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjNL218eA5QIVBr7ACh1TAw-9EAQYASABEgKo-fD_BwE
- 2 oz .999 fine silver
- 1/2 oz. .999 copper
- EYE AND EAR PROTECTION REQUIRED
Materials Kit $10 (Supplied by Instructor)*
CANCELLATION POLICY
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 10
Students must be 18 and over. Students will be required to sign a waiver
Registration open now
Copper, silver, brass, and gold can be successfully forged while working the metal red hot. Hot forged metals will forge quickly and don't need to be repeatedly annealed. Hot forging allows the metalsmith to forge large billets of metal allowing larger and more dynamic forged design elements.
Students will learn how to alloy and pour sterling silver ingots. We'll forge the poured ingots into square billets and forge the billets into a variety of predetermined designs using a variety of hot metal forging techniques. The forged elements made in this class can be directly integrated into future jewelry or sculpture designs.
PREREQUISITES
This is an intermediate metalsmithing class and students should have some experience with jewelry and metalsmithing fabrication techniques and studio tools.
About the Instructor
Ira Sherman has been exploring the boundaries of metal fabrication and design since the early 1970s, both as a highly successful custom goldsmith and jeweler, and as an internationally recognized sculptor. His sculptural work uses materials and shapes from science and technology, yet “bio-engineered” to interact with the audience or viewer in a uniquely human way. Many of Sherman’s pieces are, in fact, “prostheses” created around a humorous social concept. These are worn on the body, and may be shockingly intimate. Many of Sherman’s sculptures have sensors that let them interact with the participant or the audience. Parts of his current traveling exhibitions, "Panaceas to Persistent Problems" and "Impenetrable Devices" have been displayed in exhibitions in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel and Japan; the Spertus Museum , the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of American Art , the Regional Transporation District of Denver Public Art Collection and the National Ornamental Metal Museum have aquired Sherman art work for their permanent collections.
Students Need to Bring
- Medium weight cross-peen hammer. https://www.hammersource.com/Blacksmithing-Hammers/Vaughan-2lb-Professional-Cross-Pein-Blacksmith-hammer-with-hickory-handle/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjNL218eA5QIVBr7ACh1TAw-9EAQYASABEgKo-fD_BwE
- 2 oz .999 fine silver
- 1/2 oz. .999 copper
- EYE AND EAR PROTECTION REQUIRED
Materials Kit $10 (Supplied by Instructor)*
- Copper for alloying
- Tools for use in class
CANCELLATION POLICY
- You may cancel up to 14 days prior to the start of the class and receive a full refund, less $25 processing. To cancel, send an email to info@bouldermetalsmiths.com.
- Cancellations less than 14 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.
- Registration is not transferrable. You may not sell your seat to another student.
- By clicking on the “I’m going” button and paying the registration fee, you are agreeing to this cancellation policy.
- No Exceptions.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 10
Students must be 18 and over. Students will be required to sign a waiver
Registration open now