Class meets 9:00 am to noon, Monday mornings for 7 weeks. OGMS instructor Jean pSmith leads this class.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CLASS DESCRIPTION COMPLETELY, IT CONTAINS NECESSARY INFORMATION.
Filigree is an ancient technique that has been adopted in one form or another by jewelers around the world. Much filigree is made as flat or closed-backed work, designed to protect the tiny fill wires. Much of what is sold as filigree is actually cast from wax wires or copied from metal originals. Most of this work lacks the fine detail and visual excitement that defines fine filigree. The word "filigree" has also been appropriated by the costume jewelry industry, applied to brass stampings used as a finding for gaudy baubles.
Russian filigree features a strong frame of sterling wire fitted with fine silver fill wires that are curved, coiled and swirled in a magical array. The strength of the frame wire protects the ornate swirls from damage, and allows the work to be shaped around a mandrel. Open backed and feather weight, the pieces you create will dazzle and delight both wearer and beholder. Designing for filigree is as easy as making a line drawing, or using a coloring book image to create guidelines.
This is a fun and challenging technique that will become a favorite for creating intricate designs. Learn to make pendants, bails, rings, bracelets and much more with some basic tools and some paitence. Students will learn to prepare their metals for filigree use, shape and tension their materials for best effect, solder with specialty filigree solder, shape their finished piece into a dimesional jewelry piece.
Projects will include a pair of earrings (can also be matching pendants) and a small cuff or ring, as the student chooses.
Requirements:
Attendees must be comfortable with basic soldering, wire shaping and manipulation. processes. Good torch control is vital to success in making filigree. Students 40+ years old, or needing prescription vision support, will need to bring their own strong vision enhancement- this is not an option. The class room has a limited supply of magnifiers available for use.
Project supplies:
Students will need to purchase a kit containing the supplies necessary for completing the first projects. Kits must be paid for on the first day of class and will cost $40. It will contain the basic tools and materials for a small set of earrings or pendants.
Filigree kit contains compressed charcoal block; fine point tweezers; filigree solder; fine silver round wire, 26 ga, 9 feet; sterling silver round wire 18 ga, 12 inches.
Those who have taken previous OGMS filigree classes may have enough materials to forgo purchasing of this kit, please notify me if you do not require a kit. Filigree solder can be purchased seperately for $20.00.
The second project of a cuff or a ring will be the student's choice, based on their own budget and preference. Additional supplies that the attendee should source for their second project:
small cabochons/faceted stones and corresponding bezel cups or pre-made settings (instructor has a limited supply)
fine silver wire in 28-24 ga for fill wire- you go through a surprising amount, I recommend at least 1/2ozt
Sterling silver wire (round or square) in 20 to 16 gauge
Important, When ordering metals, coordinate your wire sizes.
Frame/fill wire combos that are suitable for your projects are:
•20 ga round/square 925 with 28 ga 999 round wire. Good for earrings, bails, charms & small elements.
•18 ga round/square 925 with 28 or 26 ga 999 round wire. Good for pendants, larger earrings, small ring bands & brooches. Also good for intemediate support wires within heavier frames.
•16 ga round/square 925 with 24 or 26 ga 999 round wire. Good for bib necklaces & collars, cuffs, mens rings, key fobs.
Larger projects and those that will be worn on hand/arm require heavier gauges.
For a cuff, purchase a minimum of (2x wrist circumference) + 3"= minimum order length. Choose a heavy gauge for the frame wire and fine silver fill wire approx. 1/2 ozt or more.
For a ring, purchase 16-18 ga sterling wire in square or round- a minimum of 12" (supplier's minimum order), fine silver round wire, 26 ga at least 9 feet.
For earrings (extra project), 18-20 ga round or square- 4" or more, fine silver 26- 28 ga 9 feet minimum.
Optional: A butane torch is very useful for filigree. If you have one, you may find it useful to have it on hand– especially for soldering small work.
Consumables fee:
Due to too many people failing to pay for their consumables fee, the charge has been increased for those choosing to pay cash. I shouldn't have to do this, but the club cannot absorb this expense, we do not make enough in class fees to support this shortfall.
A $12 fee for gas & consumables will be collected for acetylene, classroom tool use and other classroom consumables and upkeep. A small discount can be had if you pay online during registration by choosing the Classroom Consumables ticket the fee is $10.00 +eventzilla fee.
In order to complete registration you MUST be returned to the eventzlla confirmation page.
If you don't receive a confirmation email, you are NOT registered for the class.
Please note that registration through this site works best if you have a verified Paypal account. Using a wired, private internet connection with fast service is recommended. Accessing registration through public Wi-fi, IOS devices, or slow/dial-up connection may have varying degrees of success. We are not the tech support for this service, and can't guarantee registration success.
Classes are conducted by volunteer members of the Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, under the the auspices of the City of Oxnard, Dept. of Recreation.
