Bangles! Bangles! Bangles!
This demo-focused virtual class will focus on adorning the hand, as students design and make Argentium bangle bracelets while exploring a variety of designs and techniques such as hammer texturing, forging, forming, and fabrication.
Proper bangle sizing, gauge choice, experimentation with measurement and length, as well as Argentium fusion will be covered throughout the course. This workshop will expose students to the rich tradition of classic jewelry techniques as well as the practical shortcuts for making work efficiently! The class will also cover use of bracelets press for quick, efficient, and consistent results!
Meet the instructor
Paulette Werger is a metalsmith and teacher who works in Lebanon, NH. She sells her work both nationally and internationally and is owner of Metalpeople East, a jewelry and hollow ware studio. She has taught metalsmithing at the University of WI, Montana State University, and at craft schools throughout the country.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.
There are several distributor for many of these items such as Otto Frei, Contenti, and Gesswein. The instructor recommends price comparing based on promotions and sales.
Argentium will be the focal material in this workshop (8.5" enough for 1 bangle):
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3ft x Argentium® round wire - 14g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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3ft x Argentium® round wire - 12g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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1ft x Argentium® round wire - 16g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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3ft x Argentium® square wire - 12g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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1ft x Argentium® round wire - 20g dead soft (Rio Grande)
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extra sheet metal - silver, bronze, gold - bronze will be demoed
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scrap wire or sheet metal - Argentium® - cleaned/pickled
Soldering setup:
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1 x fireproof torch area - steel baking sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon)
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2 x 6"x6" Solderite™ pad (Rio Grande)
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1 x compressed charcoal block (Rio Grande)
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1 x torch - Smith mini or Silversmith (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x #0 or #1 torch tip - if getting Silversmith (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)
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1 x liquid flux (Rio Grande)
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1 x piece Argentium® wire solder - medium (Rio Grande)
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1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
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1 x pickle - for non-ferrous metals (Rio Grande)
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1 x crock pot or tempered glass container with lid - for pickle (Amazon)
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1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
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1 x small brush - for flux
Hand tools:
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1 x needle file set - #2 or #4 cut - optional (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round file - #2 or #4 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x pliers and flush cutter (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 and 4/0 (Rio Grande)
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1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
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1 x rotary hand piece (Rio Grande)
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1 x pack of pumice flat edge wheels - medium (Rio Grande)
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1 x 1/16" screw mandrel 303 - 3/32" shank (Rio Grande)
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1 x slotted mandrel - 3/32" shank (Rio Grande)
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1 x center punch (Rio Grande)
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1 x ring clamp (Rio Grande)
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1 x shears - Joyce Chen recommended (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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high speed twist drill bits - #67, #60, #55, #54 (Rio Grande)
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wet/dry sandpaper - 220, 320, 400 grits (Amazon)
Forming tools:
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1 x rawhide mallet (Rio Grande)
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1 x brass or raw hide weighted hammer (Contenti)
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1 x bracelet mandrel (Rio Grande, Contenti)
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1 x planishing hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x cross peen/texturing hammer (such as Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
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1 x ball peen hammer - 8oz (any hardware store or Amazon)
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1 x round bracelet mandrel (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block (Rio Grande)
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bracelet forming press - 102-040, 102-041, 102-045 (Contenti)
In addition to the above items, you will want to have the following items available:
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hard work surface
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fan and open window - or ventilation system
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safety glasses
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pencil, Sharpie, notebook
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rags/towels