Summer 2014 Metals Classes Richmond Art Center

Metals Classes at The Richmond Art Center
2540 Barrett Ave. Richmond, CA 94804
www.therac.org • (510) 620-6772
Instructor: Holly Carter

Beginning Jewelry - Monday Evening
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone
pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including
polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more. 9 weeks
Class # SU19J • Mon, Jun 16 – Aug 11, 2014, 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $225 • Nonmember $250

Enameling Sampler
An introductory class. Learn the techniques  of Vitreous Glass Enameling, fusing glass to metal. Emphasis will be placed on mastering the basics: sifting and wet packing, kiln firing, and knowledge of color interactions. $20 materials fee paid to instructor. 6 weeks
Class # SU7J • Tue, Jun 24 – Jul 29, 2014 6:30 pm – 9 pm
RAC Member $148 • Nonmember $165

Casting for Jewelry & Small Sculpture
Learn Centrifugal and Direct Pour methods of Casting molten metal. Will discuss the use of Cuttlefish, Tufa Stone, and Charcoal block to carve molds for direct pour casting. Learn to carve wax models for Lost Wax casting. Sprue, Invest, Cast in a centrifuge, and Finish your piece for Jewelry or Small Sculpture. Please come prepared to work the first day, some supplies will be available in class for purchase. Supply costs vary $50+. May also be used as independent study for experienced students. 8 weeks
Class # SU33J • Wed, Jun 25 – Aug 13, 2014 6:30 pm – 9 pm
RAC Member $198 • Nonmember $220

Intermediate Enameling
Focus on the enameling techniques of Basse Taille, Champlevé, and Cloisonné. Use various methods of texturing metal such as roller printing and acid etching to cover with glass for the Basse Taille. Create cavities to fill with glass by acid etching for Champlevé and small wire to create cloisons to fill for Cloisonné. Previous enameling experience preferred. 8 weeks (No Class July 4th)
Class # SU5J • Fri, Jun 13 – Aug 8, 2014 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $198 • Nonmember $220

Metals & Jewelry Camp
(ages 12 +)
Join us in the metals studio to create jewelry and works of art in this one-week camp!
Learn to saw, file, and sand a pendant or key chain fob.
Design and pattern an acid etched bracelet and roller printed earrings or decorative plaque.
Then use your newly learned skills to create a piece to be enameled with colored glass fused to metal.
Inspiration is endless!
Class# SU6YC, 4 classes, Instructor: Holly Carter
Tue – Fri, Aug 5 – Aug 8, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
RAC Member $135, Nonmember $150

Summer 2013 Classes at The Richmond Art Center

Jewelry 1
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone
pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more. 8 weeks
Class # SU19J • Jun 24 – Aug 12, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Jewelry Sampler
An introduction to special techniques. Jewelry I or equivalent experience
recommended, but not required. Learn the basic skills for jewelry and small
metals in Acid Etching, Lost Wax Casting, and Vitreous Glass Enameling. This class is fast paced and designed to demonstrate techniques, it will not necessarily result in completely finished projects. Each student will finish a sampling of each technique. 8 weeks
Class # SU20J • Wed, Jun 26 – Aug 14, 2013 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Beginning Enameling
An introductory class. Learn the techniques  of Vitreous Glass Enameling, fusing glass to metal. Emphasis will be placed on mastering the basics: sifting and wet packing, kiln and torch firing, mark-making, and knowledge of color interactions. $15 materials fee paid to instructor. 8 weeks (No Class 7/5,7/12)
Class # SU5J • Fri, Jun 21 – Aug 16, 2013 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $168 • Nonmember $185

‘Summer Bling’ Teen Metals/Jewelry Sampler
Ages 12-17, Whether you like Shiny Metal Jewelry or Funky Metal Sculpture you can create your art using techniques such as forming, stamping, soldering, enameling, cuttlefish casting, and stained glass inlay. Make bracelets, pins, rings, earrings, mini-sculptures, or wall pieces, the inspiration is endless. 6 weeks
$20 Class supply fee.
Class # SU22J • Mon, Jun 24 – Jul 30, 2013 1 pm – 4 pm
RAC Member $162 • Nonmember $180

Classes are held at The Richmond Art Center 

2540 Barrett Ave. Richmond, CA 94804

www.therac.org • (510) 620-6772

A Story of Two Rings - Congratulations to Kristi and Ike

So begins a tale of two rings, I was asked by Kristi, a previous Arizona student to custom design and make her wedding bands. After a little research she decided she wanted their rings to look like twigs. Kristi emailed me some examples she found on the web, they were twigs carved out of wax with a leaf holding in the stone. As I don't like to copy other people's designs exactly, I said I could do something similar, but I would cast mine from Natural Twigs rather than carved from wax. I believe this makes them unique and more special. She wanted them made out of a white metal and hers with a stone setting. After much back and forth about types of stones, the decision was for Palladium with a round Alexandrite. Since I can't cast Palladium I decided I would have to cast the originals in bronze, make a mold of the ones they liked, and inject them with wax to be sent off to the Palladium caster. I used a few different types of twigs for the samples, including some from a cherry tree of which they liked the best.

These were the options I offered. I sent the two grooms rings for Ike to try and decide on what felt the best, and the one brides ring that Kristi liked for them to try for size and comfort.

Final Choices on style.
One Decision down!

After some difficulty in finding the right size of Alexandrite in an affordable price, I threw out a couple other options. I supplied photo's with different size and shapes of stones. As an example I used some random stones I had so she could get a better idea of how it might look.

Stone choice was an oval Iolite. (Photo shows an Amethyst)







During the trial period Kristi and Ike decided the Palladium was out of their price range for the moment, as Kristi was just accepted into a college program and so the purse strings tightened a bit. They decided to stick with Sterling Silver after all and that I could cast myself. After making some changes based on Kristi and Ike's preferences, here are the final wedding bands.

And, my little treat to them, I made a cute little custom box with a surprise note and ring pillow inside!

I used a cool box pattern from this website, and modified it a bit.

Wedding Photo's yet to come, stay tuned!

Spring 2013 Classes at The RAC

Jewelry 1 (Click for more info)
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone

pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more.

No Class May 27. 8 weeks

Class # SP19J • Mon, Apr 1 – Jun 3, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $194 • Nonmember $215

Jewelry Sampler (Click for more info)

An introduction to special techniques. Jewelry I or equivalent experience

recommended, but not required. Learn the basic skills for jewelry and small

metals in Acid Etching, Lost Wax Casting, and Vitreous Glass Enameling. This class is fast paced and designed to demonstrate techniques, it will not necessarily result in completely finished projects. Each student will finish a sampling of each technique. 8 weeks

Class # SP20J • Wed, Apr 10 – May 29, 2013 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $194 • Nonmember $215

Richmond Art Center Classes
2540 Barrett Avenue Richmond, CA 94804