Jewelry Making

This course is designed to introduce you to a variety of technical processes, design concepts, and tools essential for understanding and working with non-ferrous metals on a wearable scale. Attention will be given to material sourcing, the production and critique of metalwork, and the cultural and historical aspects of jewelry as artistic expression. Some basic techniques that will be covered include: sawing, filing, riveting, simple forming, hammer texture, soldering, and finishing.

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. We have recently streamlined the application process, making it even quicker and easier. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 10.

What you will learn:

  • A cultural history of jewelry and small-scale metals

  • Design concepts as they pertain to wearable and decorative metals

  • Working with specialized tools

  • Basic techniques

Recommended supply providers:

  • Hagstoz: 709 Sansom Street. Phone: 215-922-1627.
    Pamma Tools 809 Sansom Street. Phone: 215-928-6004.
    Rio Grande: www.riogrande.com. Phone: 1-800-545-6566.

Start the term with these supplies:

  • Note: no nickel or steel in studio unless previously discussed and gold at your own expense! Materials are extremely important to have because without them projects will not be able to be completed.

  • Herkules Saw blades 2/0 – two dozen (24 total)

  • 3” x 3” 20 gauge copper sheet

  • 3” x 3” 20 gauge brass sheet

  • 1ft. of 14 gauge round brass wire hard

  • 2ft. of 18 gauge round copper wire soft

  • Millimeter ruler

  • Rubber cement

  • Sketchbook or paper to draw on

  • Sharpie thin and thick “black” only

  • Pencil and pen

  • Scissors (basic for cutting paper)

  • Old rag or t-shirt for drying metal

  • Chain or leather cord for two pendants

Midway through the term you will need:

  • Sterling silver wire: either round or half round

  • 2 inches of medium silver solder

  • One small plastic baggy or containers to keep solder in and labeled