April 26 – 28, 2015
Brighton Beads and More
Brighton, MI
Register at:
www.brightonbeadsandmore.com
One of the special aspects of Jayne Redman’s jewelry is the way she combines form and function in her designs, creating unusual findings and assembly processes. Jayne will demonstrate her original engineering ideas and teach you how to apply them to your own work. She will consult with each of you to help you create concepts that are unique to your jewelry.
This workshop will focus on ways to make tools and jigs to form 3 dimensional shapes and unique findings including ear wires, linkage systems, and clasps. You will learn time saving ways of measuring, cutting, connecting and forming sheet and wire.
You will make a series of tools that will allow you to measure, cut, and bend wire accurately in coils or circles and straight lengths. Using these tools Jayne will show you how to make her award-winning signature S-Twist ear wire as well as other variations of single curved ear wires. You will make several variations of jigs for reverse curve ear wires and linkage systems of your own design. These methods can also be used for perfectly duplicating cloisonné wires.
You will make forming rods for sheet metal. These tools will include a “u” tool for conforming both sides of sheet at the same time over a metal rod, pushing tools that help conform sheet metal shapes that are close together, and a fingernail tool that will slide over and under shapes to be bent and also assist in closing loops.
You will modify pliers to create perfect loops with accurate inside diameters, tapered tube crimps to attach tubular clasps to chain or neck wire coils, notches in handmade ear posts, and make all purpose fine tapered flat and flat-oval pliers and bent chain nose pliers.
You will learn how to use Aquaplast – a thermal reactive plastic – to make forming tools, handles for tools, dapping molds, wire jigs, and holding devices for stone setting.
You will leave the workshop with the knowledge to comfortably modify existing tools and invent tools and jigs of your own design. You will be able to make exact duplicates of your forms and findings, enhancing your craftsmanship and adding appeal to your jewelry.
