Prong Setting: Curiosities in Metal with Rachel Kalina | Wednedays 6pm-9pm | 5/7-6/11 Spring 2025
Jewelry | Available
Create jewelry with small specimens such as minerals, fossils, shells, flora, pottery pieces, sea glass antiques, and other found objects! This intermediate/advanced-level course will challenge you to design a pendant and/or brooch with curiosities that you have collected. Learn how to solder prongs with a torch to attach your specimens to copper, brass, and/or silver.
Although soldering basics will be covered, the class focuses on advanced techniques and multiple joins, as well as setting irregularly shaped items. Discover how to attach various pieces to one project without melting off your previous work. Upon class completion, you’ll recognize the difference among solder types (“easy”, “medium”, “hard”) and when to use them. Other skills addressed are: hand sawing metal sheet, assembling settings, texturing with hammers and steel stamps, patina application, and polishing jewelry with a flex shaft.
Bring small objects that you’d like to consider for your designs to the first class. Items may be purchased from other collectors on a site like Etsy if you don’t have them readily available. Objects that are 2 inches or less are ideal. Sheet metal and wire are included in the class, as is tool usage.
Keywords to spark your inspiration: mineral specimens, crystals, fossils, seashells, ceramic sherds, porcelain figurines, toys, flowers in resin, dollhouse miniatures, buttons, coins, watch parts, photo brooches, game pieces, sea glass/pottery, magnifying glasses, etc.
Other supplies to bring: a sketchpad, pencil, and a storage box. Supply fee is due the first session. Prior metalsmithing experience with a torch is highly recommended.