The Poison Ring
with Richard Salley

Class Description
As most know, poison rings have a type of container usually hidden under a bezel or gemstone. This container could actually be used to hold poison or another substance. Such discreet - not to mention fashionable - means of hiding such fatal stuff has inspired countless stories of assassins and jealous spouses having the ultimate revenge.
But the secret of poison rings is they has never really been shown to be used to actually poison people. These rings came from India and the Far East by way of the Holy Relic trade in the Middle Ages. And really the containers were used as containers. People treated them as lockets - used to hold either a lock of hair or a hand painted picture other lover or some other loved one. In a time when robbery was prevalent, these rings provided the ultimate safe for ones' cherished keepsakes.
Learn to make one of these fabulous rings and see what kind of uses you can find for it... whether nefarious or benign!
Prerequisites
soldering and sawing proficient
About the Instructor
Richard began working in metal in 1969 as an assistant to metal sculptor Malcom Moran in Carmel, CA. He went on to graduate from the University of California and became a teacher in the California Public School System. After 32 he retired from teaching to devote more time to his art and teaching workshops around the country. He considers himself not so much a jeweler but rather a ‘maker of wearable art’. His interests include digital art, mixed media collage/assemblage, sculpture and jewelry.
Richard's work has been featured in ‘Belle Armoire Jewelry’, 'Art Jewelry' and ‘Jewelry Artist’ magazines. Other published work can be seen in Susan Lenart-Kazmer’s book ‘Making Connections’, ‘Steel Wire Jewelry' by Brenda Schweder, 'Steampunk Style Jewelry' by Jean Campbell and 'Metal Style' by Karen Dougherty.
Richard and his wife, Jane, reside in Rio Vista, CA.
His work can be viewed at http://rsalley.com
Students need to bring
Materials Kit $30.00*
24g sterling silver sheet (6mm x 72mm)
24g sterling silver sheet (3mm x 72mm)
22g sterling silver sheet (38mm x 38mm)
22g sterling silver sheet (35mm x 20mm)
18g sterling silver sheet (6mm x 72m)
bezel wire
sterling silver tubing (2mm x 10mm)
cabochon approx. 18mm x 24mm
silver solder
flux
handouts
***if you want to bring your own cabochon it needs to fit on the base that I will provide which measures 38mm x 44mm.
*Materials kit purchase is required for all our workshops. The kit insures all students have the same tools and materials required to learn the technique and allows the instructor and the students to focus on the technique rather than the materials
Cancellation Policy
Maximum Number of Students
Ten. Students must be over 18 years old and will be required to sign a waiver.
Registration Open Now
As most know, poison rings have a type of container usually hidden under a bezel or gemstone. This container could actually be used to hold poison or another substance. Such discreet - not to mention fashionable - means of hiding such fatal stuff has inspired countless stories of assassins and jealous spouses having the ultimate revenge.
But the secret of poison rings is they has never really been shown to be used to actually poison people. These rings came from India and the Far East by way of the Holy Relic trade in the Middle Ages. And really the containers were used as containers. People treated them as lockets - used to hold either a lock of hair or a hand painted picture other lover or some other loved one. In a time when robbery was prevalent, these rings provided the ultimate safe for ones' cherished keepsakes.
Learn to make one of these fabulous rings and see what kind of uses you can find for it... whether nefarious or benign!
Prerequisites
soldering and sawing proficient
About the Instructor
Richard began working in metal in 1969 as an assistant to metal sculptor Malcom Moran in Carmel, CA. He went on to graduate from the University of California and became a teacher in the California Public School System. After 32 he retired from teaching to devote more time to his art and teaching workshops around the country. He considers himself not so much a jeweler but rather a ‘maker of wearable art’. His interests include digital art, mixed media collage/assemblage, sculpture and jewelry.
Richard's work has been featured in ‘Belle Armoire Jewelry’, 'Art Jewelry' and ‘Jewelry Artist’ magazines. Other published work can be seen in Susan Lenart-Kazmer’s book ‘Making Connections’, ‘Steel Wire Jewelry' by Brenda Schweder, 'Steampunk Style Jewelry' by Jean Campbell and 'Metal Style' by Karen Dougherty.
Richard and his wife, Jane, reside in Rio Vista, CA.
His work can be viewed at http://rsalley.com
Students need to bring
- Safety glassesJewelers saw and blades (#2/0-4/0)
- Bench Block
- Bench Pin
- Pliers-flat nose, chain nose, round nose
- Files – hand files and/or needle files
- Calipers – digital calipers can be found online or at Harbor Freight for around $20
- Rawhide mallet
- Wire cutters
- Scribe
- bezel rocker, burnishers or bezel pusher
- Ring mandrel
- Metal shears
- miter vise/jig
- texture hammers or metal stamps
Materials Kit $30.00*
24g sterling silver sheet (6mm x 72mm)
24g sterling silver sheet (3mm x 72mm)
22g sterling silver sheet (38mm x 38mm)
22g sterling silver sheet (35mm x 20mm)
18g sterling silver sheet (6mm x 72m)
bezel wire
sterling silver tubing (2mm x 10mm)
cabochon approx. 18mm x 24mm
silver solder
flux
handouts
***if you want to bring your own cabochon it needs to fit on the base that I will provide which measures 38mm x 44mm.
*Materials kit purchase is required for all our workshops. The kit insures all students have the same tools and materials required to learn the technique and allows the instructor and the students to focus on the technique rather than the materials
Cancellation Policy
- You may cancel up to 45 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 45 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.
Maximum Number of Students
Ten. Students must be over 18 years old and will be required to sign a waiver.
Registration Open Now