Jewelry: Fabrication

Explore the fundamentals of fabrication in metal with the focus on jewelry design. Learn the basic jewelry making techniques such as forming and forging, stone setting, soldering, and brazing using various materials. Learn from instructor demos about the design and fabrication of pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, rings, belt buckles and other creative accessories, as well as art objects such as containers, ornaments, and small-scale sculptures. The instructor will also provide plenty of individual feedback with each student’s project. This class is designed for all levels. Bring your creative ideas and take home beautiful jewelry pieces of your own design.

Note that this classroom is accessible by stairs only; please contact Fleisher for more information.

What you will learn:

  • Learn and improve your soldering skills

  • Fabricating and fitting parts and pieces together

  • Understanding of mechanical properties of locking systems and fabricating of findings

  • Learn and improve your level of metal forming both hollow and forging

  • Introduction to stone setting

  • Introduction of working in wax, carving, and building in hard and soft waxes

Special Notes

This is an in-person class which will take place onsite at Fleisher. Please review our COVID-19 community safety policies for current guidelines.

Tuition Assistance is Available

To make our classes and workshops accessible to everyone, Fleisher offers tuition assistance every term so that everyone can join our creative community. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply for spring term assistance is Friday, March 10; Notifications will be sent by Monday, March 13.

Required Supplies:

  • For the first day of class (all levels):

  • Pencils for drawing and design work

  • 2 dozen 3/0 saw blades

  • 1 foot each, hard, medium, and easy silver wire solder

  • 1 sheet each, 320, 400, and 600 grit silicone carbide wet/dry sandpaper

  • Sketch pad

  • Tracing paper

  • 3 paint sticks

  • For Beginners:

    Initial Assigned Project: Band Ring With Pre Made Setting and Calibrated Gemstone

    Materials (for the first class):

  • 3 inches 5mm 18 guage rectangular sterling silver wire

  • 1 premade fine silver setting (Rio Grande: 696199, 6mm fine silver round bezel cup) or (Rio Grande: 696200, 8mm fine silver round bezel cup)

  • 1 calibrated 6mm round or 8mm round cabochon cut gemstone. Additional gemstones will be available in class for purchase. (Suggested purchase from Rio Grande)

  • Suggested Second Project: Band Ring With Hand Made Setting

    Materials (can be purchased later in term):

  • 3 inch x 1 inch 18 guage sterling silver sheet

  • 6 inches 26 guage fine silver 6mm bezel wire

  • 1 inch x 1 inch 22 guage sterling silver sheet (measurement must cover the base of the gemstone that is purchased)

  • 1 round or oval cabochon cut gemstone no smaller than ½ inch length or width. Some gemstones are available for purchase in class

Additional Beginner Projects: Students will be introduced to designing jewelry based on picture references of jewelry or other visual inspiration, nature, architecture, sculpture etc. Required materials to purchase will be based on each student’s project requirements.

Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Students: Independent projects will be based on students’ designs, inspiration and experience level. Any additional materials needed to purchase will be based on project specifications.

Suggested Shopping Locations:
• T.B. Hagstoz – 709 Sansom Street, #1, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-922-1627
• Rio Grande Jewelry Supply – riogrande.com