Working with Gold-Filled Basics

This 1-day weekend workshop will focus on an introduction to essential jewelry and metalsmithing techniques, tools, and design used to create jewelry using gold-filled wire. Students will learn by practicing the techniques demonstrated, by using wire to construct pieces that can be used for all kinds of jewelry & wearable art. The focus will be on the essentials of soldering, forming and construction of gold-filled wire as well as the proper use of tools and equipment, studio safety, metals, tube stone setting, design, and finishing techniques specific for gold-fill. Project demos will include making gold-fill rings, making flux paste for gold & gold-fill, and using small tube settings.

Gold Fill Rings, Jennifer Stenhouse

Prerequisites:
  • Basic metal working skills required.
Students Must Bring:
  • -A wide variety of gold-filled shapes and gauges of wire are available, bring a selection
    -14k medium gold solder
    -Jeweler saw blades 2/0-4/0 blades (available in studio store)
    -Charcoal block (available in studio store)
Students May Bring:
  • -24-18 gauge single or double clad gold-filled, or sterling silver can be helpful to create some interesting looks
    -A selection of beads, and found objects, is not only fun, but provides punch to your design ideas. Your selection of unique objects and colors make your work interesting and different
    -Center punch/scribe
    -Pin vise -Needle files
    -6” half round file
    -Emery paper, 200/400/600
    -Small pack of drill bits
    -Small tweezers
    -Ring clamp
    -Side/wire cutters
    -Optivisors
    -Jewelry pliers
    -Paper and pencils
    -Safety glasses
    -Center punch/scribe
    -Pin vise
    -Needle files
    -6” half round file
    -Emery paper, 200/400/600
    -Small pack of drill bits
    -Small tweezers
    -Ring clamp
    -Side/wire cutters
    -Optivisors
    -Jewelry pliers
    -Paper and pencils
    -Safety glasses
    -Findings in gold fill
    -Little stones and settings
    -Small amount of 14ky easy solder in chip or wire form
    -Stop-ox II flux from rio
    -Good little tweezers
    -Soft jaw pliers like nylon forming