• $177 or 2 monthly payments of $95

The Embellished Bezel

  • Closed

Elevate your skills (and settings) while learning to fabricate a fun and fancy cocktail ring!  This ambitious, intermediate course is a study in balancing art with accuracy.  We'll walk though all the steps from sizing to setting and focus on lots of embellishment along the way!

ALL Project-Based Courses Open for Registration Oct. 28th - 30th

What's covered:

  • learn to set deep, fancy cut gemstones (or adapt for flat-backed stones if you prefer)
  • accurately size and form open shank ring bands with the new Pepe Tools flat-back ring mandrel
  • sweat solder like a mother(fluxer)
  • explore new ways to embellish... hello, filigree!
  • fabricate a hefty, two tiered bezel

What's Included:

-one year access to all course contents with the option to extend engagement for a monthly fee
-hours of high-quality video demos, all prerecorded so you can go at your own pace
- detailed PDF handouts for benchside reference
- community support via a private FB group
- exclusive discounts and offers for students only

Requirements & Specs:

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Some experience with soldering

A Word on Torches:
Detachable torch heads with disposable butane canisters will be sufficient for this course.   These should be Sterno (or comparable) heads paired with collared butane canisters that are NOT refillable.  Please note that small culinary torches like Blazers will not be efficient for the full scope of this project.  Dual fuel rigs and larger torches such as the Smith Silver Smith and Little Torch, and comparable systems, will work as well.

Table of contents

Hi + Welcome!

Welcome
Join the Facebook Group
Helpful Tips and Quick Links:

Before You Begin

Notes on Raw Materials:
Preview
Raw Materials List.pdf
Preview
Notes on Tools (and some discount codes!)
Suggested Tools List
Preview
Diagram: Anatomy of a Gem

The Band

Cover Page (Benchside Reference)
Ring Size Chart (Printable)
The Band (Benchside Reference)
The Band: Considerations
Sizing & Measuring
Cutting & Hallmarking
Annealing
Forming: Method A
Filing the Ends
Forming: Method B
Rounding Out (Again)
Cleaning the Inside

The Bezel

Forming the Bezel (Benchside Reference)
Raw Material Considerations
Preparing to Sweat
Troubleshooting
Sweat Soldering
Filing & Forming
Soldering to Close
Refining the Shape
Troubleshooting the Fit
Cleaning Up

Embellishments

Embellishments (Benchside Reference)
Preparing the Filigree
Flooding the Filigree
Creating the Curves
Soldering the Filigree
Refining the Base
Adding the Back Plate
Piercing
Balling
Balls Continued & Sequins of Events
Soldering Balls & Sequins
Filigree Templates

Bringing it Together

Bringing it Together (Benchside Reference)
Adding the Band
Textures & Finishing

Setting the Stone

Setting the Stone (Benchside Reference)
Setting Up to Set
Stone Setting

Examples & Final Thoughts

Closing
Finished Samples
Preview

Silversmith || Storyteller || Creative Performance Coach

If it matters, I hold a Bachelor of Art & Design from NCSU's College of Design, am a trained Creative Performance Coach through an ICF-accredited program, have taught thousands of students over the span of thirteen years, and have been a full-time, self-employed metalsmith since 2007.

More importantly, I don't subscribe to the idea of the starving artist. I believe we design our lives and ourselves as much as we do our work. In addition to project-based technique courses, I create immersive coaching programs and provide 1:1 containers for highly motivated, action-oriented creatives who want nothing less than intentional design, authentic expression, smart structures and studio systems, and full alignment between who they are and what they do. You build durable, valuable, expressive art. You ARE durable, valuable, expressive art. To speak with me about coaching and learn more about how I can support you, schedule free a Connection Call below.

Policies:

  1. Due to the immediate access to written instructions, video demos, templates and other resources, I do not provide refunds for online courses under any circumstances.  Please make your course selections carefully.

  2. Online courses are a privilege to teach and take.  Ethical behavior is non-negotiable.  Sharing passwords, downloads and other materials with anyone who has not paid for this course will result in your immediate removal from the course, nor will you be permitted to register for a future course of mine.

  3. I reserve the right to dismiss any student at any time from this course if the above ethical guidelines are in question or not met. Other reasons for dismissal from this course and/or future courses include rudeness and/or disrespect to fellow students, to me, and teaching this course as your own.