Fall 2018 Jewelry Class Topics

Finishing/ Polishing

By definition, finishing is the last thing we do to a piece of jewelry, but it is the first thing someone notices. “A mediocre design can be vastly improved by good finishing, and a great design can be overshadowed by poor finishing.” JP

Over the summer we experimented with wax model making and now have a pile of silver castings. It’s the perfect opportunity to focus on finishing / polishing techniques. It’s an important element in jewelry making and one that often gets short shrift in my classes. In Fall 1 classes I will demo a range of flex shaft accessories, how to use the “big” polishing machine (buffs and compounds), hand filing and sanding, liver of sulfur, satin finishes, burnishing, fire scale remediation . . . you get the picture.

I will have samples of all the flex shaft items for you to use in class, and an inventory of items to purchase. It’s a good time to try out a selection of my favorite finishing devices before you buy.

Hammer Set Bezels

I like big bezels, and I cannot lie.
I roller my own bezel material from round wire to make strips thicker than manufactured bezel strip. One way to set this heavier material is with a setting tool and chasing hammer. In this class I will demo making custom bezel strip, ways to set stones using the thicker metal, including with a setting tool made from a steel flooring nail. You will have an opportunity to make a tool for yourself while learning how to anneal, shape, polish, and temper steel. These tools are incredibly useful for many types of setting tasks. You will be glad you have one.

Fabrication/ Efficiency Tips

This time of year, many of us gear up production in anticipation of holiday sales and gift giving. Wouldn’t you like to maximize your efforts, or streamline your work habits? I am not the fastest bench worker but make good use of my time in the studio by being efficient, and with clever production design. Throughout the class I will share this info including smart soldering habits, proper work flow, and efficient design concepts.

Details

Fall 1 = September/ October 7 weeks

starting week of September 10 through week of October 22, 2018

$343 + $7 materials fee

Choice of three class times – Monday or Wednesday night 6-9, Wednesday day noon-3

All classes cover the same topics

contact me to enroll judy@judyparady.com

Wax Models for Casting- continues

Great excitement reverberated in the studio last week when the first delivery of silver castings arrived. It really takes seeing your wax work transformed into metal to fully understand the process.  Everyone is diligently creating more models using the first lessons learned about carving hard wax- particularly how to create a symmetrically tapered shank for a ring with or without a stone.

In addition to carving wax we are exploring methods for modeling wax resulting in some fresh, organic designs- essentially the opposite of controlled and symmetrical.

New this session is the use of water soluble wax to create hollow forms for casting. I’ll post pics of the castings on Instagram when I get them back. (@judyparadystudio)

Join us at any of our summer session to create waxes for casting. All wax lessons are reviewed each session for newcomers. I am using a production casting service to cast in silver or gold, and to make rubber molds. I share all of this info with the class to empower you to have your own work cast in the future.

What we are doing:

• Design for casting, and design for production

• Working with several types of wax to create original designs

• Metal models

• Rubber molds

• Stone settings in wax

• Finishing your casting

Class times:
Monday or Wednesday night, 6:00 - 9:00
Wednesday day, 12:00 - 3:00
all classes cover the same material

June session 4 weeks, weeks of June 4 – June 27,  $196, plus $8 materials fee
July session 4 weeks, weeks of July 9 – August 1,  $196, plus $8 materials fee
August session 3 weeks, weeks of August 13- August 29, $147, plus $5 materials fee

Decatur /Oakhurst GA location
maximum 6 students per class
call or email for more details

Spring Classes 2018

Design for Lost Wax Casting

Explore the many options for creating jewelry using the classic technique

Spring Session begins the week of March 26

As always you are encouraged to work on your own projects concurrent with the special topic. This means you can work in metal in addition to the casting projects, (or instead of casting.)
Small class sizes allow me to tailor your experience to suit.

We will NOT be casting in class. All wax or metal models will be processed through a professional casting facility. An important offering of this class is empowering you to access casting on your own . I will coordinate sending waxes to be cast or molded several times during the session.

What we WILL be doing:

• Design for casting, and design for production
• Working with several types of wax to create original designs
• Metal models
• Rubber molds
• Stone settings
• Finishing your casting

Class times:
Monday or Wednesday night, 6:00 - 9:00
Wednesday day, 12:00 - 3:00
all classes cover the same material

Spring session 6 weeks, weeks of  March 26 - April 23, $294
May session 4 weeks, weeks of April 30 - May 21,  $196

Decatur /Oakhurst GA location
maximum 5 students per class
call or email for more details
 

Fall Classes 2017

etching

This fall offers a unique opportunity to truly explore etching over an extended period of time. With electro-etching set up and available at each class time you will be able to experiment with designs and techniques to develop your own aesthetic and etch a quantity of metal that you can process into finished pieces now and in the future.

Etchant is on hand for brass, copper, nickel, and silver. You can etch 16 ga brass or nickel to create roller plates, or etch designs directly onto jewelry metal.

I have three popular resists: adhesive backed vinyl, PnP transfer paper, and oil based paint pens.  Each has benefits and limitations. Source your design inspiration from black and white jpg files, or printed art then decide which material is best. Paint pens can be used to create hand drawn patterns and textures directly onto the metal, or combined with the other methods.

Etching is an optional experience, and requires a $20 lab fee for which you can make patterns and etch metal equivalent to one 6 x 11 vinyl sheet, and 2 PnP sheets.  (this will make more sense once you see the set up in class.)

lockets

Simultaneous to working with etching methods we will investigate the design and fabrication of lockets. Lockets can be regarded as tiny, wearable boxes incorporating etched and patterned metal, gemstones, and mementos. Elements of a locket can include hinges and clasps or fasteners. I will be showing simple die forming as one method of making a small box form.

As always you are free to pursue the concepts demonstrated in class along with your own projects.

fees and schedule

Class is offered on Monday or Wednesday nights, and Wednesday afternoon.  The remainder of the year is divided into two blocks of time. Fall 1 is 6 weeks beginning the week of September 11 through the week of October 16. $294 if paid in cash, check, or Venmo transfer. $305 if paid by credit card.

Nov – Dec is 5 weeks beginning the week of November 6, ending the week of December 18 with several weeks off due to my GSU schedule. $245 if paid in cash, check, or Venmo transfer. $255 if paid by credit card.

See the Calendar tab for details.

Fall Classes include Stonesetting, Findings, and Design

The Fall session is 8 weeks, 
topics include stone setting, custom findings, and design.

Classes start the week of August 29 through the week of October 24.
No classes Labor Day week.
See Calendar tab for details.
$395 cash or check, $407 credit/ debit card
Choose Monday or Tuesday night, 6- 9pm,
or Tuesday afternoon, noon to 3pm.
All classes cover the same material.

Classes are held in my Decatur studio. The small class size lets me tailor lessons to individual needs.  All experience levels are welcome. One make up class per session is offered during the monthly open studio.

Register by email, or pay now with credit card using the Payments tab

Findings: sister hooks, and brooch backs

(see Pinterest board for inspiration)

Sister hooks are useful for chain bracelets, or necklaces; simple and clean with some design possibilities.

Handmade pin backs are sooo much nicer than store bought. There are a zillion ways to do it, let’s design one to fit your style.

Settings: basket setting for round and fancy faceted stones, simple prongs for cabs of all shapes.

If you have already learned the round basket setting then use your skills to capture a fancy shape for a pendant, charm, or earrings.

Design:

As you desire; a discussion to effectively incorporate your gems in a brooch or pendant design.

August is Harvest Time

Too many unfinished projects cluttering your bench? Our August jewelry classes start soon with the goal of getting it done. Pull out some of your wonderful ideas that got sidetracked and bring them to a conclusion.

It's a short two week class to get you to the finish line.

Do you need to make the perfect clasp, or design a stone setting to compliment an intimidating gem?
Consult with me to get to the next step with some of your unfinished work. Or bring your design inspirations and let me help you formulate a good plan to proceed with a new piece.

a two session class in August, $100
see calendar tab for schedule specifics, there are 2 night time offerings- Monda or Wednesday and one afternoon class on Wednesdays. All classes offer the same content.

Small class size, Decatur studio
register on the payments page
email me for more info
 

Tube Setting in July

Join us for a special two-class session in July to learn about tube settings.

Tube settings are a fast and clean looking technique for adding pops of color to your designs.
check my Pinterest board for tube setting ideas

I will have a materials and tool kit available for purchase.
$20 includes materials for 10 settings.

Class meets in my Oakhurst/ Decatur, GA studio.
There are three options for class times.  Two at night- Monday or Wednesday, and one in the afternoon -Wednesday.
All classes cover the same information.
See the calendar tab for times.

Special two class session on tube setting: $125
To register: email me with your preferred class time-  judy@judyparady.com