Student Materials and Tool List

 

  Students are encouraged to create and finish 1 folded synclastic cuff in 24 gauge metal with a folded edge in class with one or more stones. Students will have the opportunity to create multiple bracelet shells that can be finished at a later date, or to various stages in the workshop. Students can form as many bracelets during the workshop as they like, or as much dictated by the amount of metal sheet available to cut bracelet blanks. Bracelets can be formed in copper alloys, sterling silver or silver-clad.  

 

General Blank sizes for use in synclastic and anticlastic freeform bracelet kits:

1 1/2” to 3” width x 6” to 8 ½” length- synclastic

1/2” to 1 1/4” width x 6 to 8 ½” length- anticlastic

 

**** The measurement ranges list above are referring to the sheet metal we will use within the bracelet kits. We will be cutting strips of sheet to the above measurements to make our bracelets, or “blanks”.

**** The bracelet kits we will be using and will be provided during the workshop are made by Bonny Doon and used exclusively in hydraulic presses.

 

>>>> I will have red brass sheet (20g - 24g), pre-made bezel cups, heavy wall tubing, fine silver bezel strip, large/free form cabochons, smaller round cabs, and some round calibrated faceted stones, textures and more available during the workshop<<<<

 

MATERIALS YOU NEED TO BRING OR PURCHASE FROM ME:

 

1. 20g, 22g, 24g Sheet - Ideal: 6” x 12” pieces of each, or student preference,  and please refer to general blank sizes. A small amount of sheet will be needed for the backsheet in creating a bezel cup for any stones.

General metals info...

*Sterling silver- Ideal! Buy by the blank size due to cost

* Double Clad Silver Filled- the look of silver without the cost

* Red Brass (aka: Nu Gold, Jeweler’s Brass, Dix’s Gold) - makes lovely gold bracelets, and nice to work with!

* Commercial Bronze

* Nickel - very hard like yellow brass, takes a great polish,  but not recommended for anyone that cannot or dislikes swinging a heavy hammer in any gauge

* Copper (soft, ideal for test or samples, not for finished work)

* Yellow Brass- hard, hard and problematic with soldering with silver
 

2. Bezel strip, premade bezels cups, and/or heavy wall tubing

* Bezel strip should be taller than the stone, if needs to be countersunk in bracelet. Students will need enough bezel strip for your chosen stone/stones.

* Premade bezel cups are nice for adding multiple stones without spending additional time. I use round 8mm and smaller.

* Heavy wall tubing for tube settings. I generally tube set round faceted stone sizes 5mm and smaller.

 

3. Stones

* Any stone can go on a cuff, but how it can attach may be limited. Students can use preferred stones.

* Calibrated round or oval cabochons are needed for premade bezel cups

* Calibrated faceted rounds for tube setting makes life easier

Where to purchase metals:

> Hauser and Miller- www.hauserandmiller.com- Offers sterling silver sheet cut to specifics widths and lengths. Best option for those that are just wanting to buy enough silver for one sterling bracelet.

> Rio Grande- www.riogrande.com- Has sterling silver available in 3” and 6” widths. 2 bracelet blanks can be cut from a 3” wide x 6” or 8.5”. Also offer double-clad silver filled sheet in 3” widths.

> Metalliferous- www.metalliferous.com- Largest selection of base metals

 

Tools:  Spruill has all of the tools and equipment we need for our workshop, and you are welcome to bring your own...

cushion for chair
jeweler’s saw
sawblades
lubricant
drill bits
flex-shaft accessories: sanding, polishing
files- standard and needle
pliers
sandpaper/sanding sticks
scotch brite/ steel wool/ abrasive pad
metal scissors/ joyce chens
divider/ruler
preferred patinas for chosen metals
delrin forming hammer or other non steel hammer for shaping cuffs- cross peen edge
goldsmithing hammer or bordering hammer for folding over edge of cuff bracelet
texture tools, stamps, textured brass plates, fabric,dapping punches, textured papers, etc. for roller printing metal blanks
soldering tools
bezel rocker/pusher/burnisher- for setting stones

oval or cuff bracelet mandrel
Camera

notebook