The Joys of Teaching

by bethwicker on August 24, 2009

Copper and sterling earrings

Copper and sterling earrings

I love teaching others to enjoy the things I enjoy.  I have been fortunate to have the Cheraw Arts Commission hire me to offer a series of metals classes for beginners this summer, and the response has been great!

We are working in the craft room at the Cheraw Recreation Department, and I carry all the tools and equipment needed in from my studio for each class.  I kept my daughter’s wagon from when she was young, and it works great to load everything in and haul it back and forth from the car.

I take my air/acetylene torch for annealing, and saws, blades, a variety of hammers, chasing tools, files, stamps, steel wool, sanding sticks, permanent markers, and so on.  I also provide each student with ear plugs, and have safety glasses for those who don’t have their own.

This summer we have been working in copper, as it is affordable and a good metal for texturing and shaping.

I have started with basic skills, and as students take additional classes they can add more skills.  Each class since the first one has had a mix of old and new students, which has been a bit of a challenge, but we have made it work!

They have learned to saw, to file, to sand, to use a punch, to chase, to hammer, and to stamp.  They have learned how to open and close jump rings.  We’ve used both templates and freehand drawing to mark our metal.  I’ve also brought in a solution for texturing copper – 3 parts vinegar to 1 part hydrogen peroxide, which makes a very nice all over texture on finished pieces out of copper.  I mix it in a glass container.  Do NOT put a lid on securely, as I have been told it will eventually explode!

So far I’ve only had one gentleman student, the rest have been ladies.  They have had a blast, and have gained a new appreciation for the jewelry they wear and purchase, and what went into making it!  None of them have any desire to become jewelers, but they all enjoy making things in a variety of media, and have enjoyed working with metal, and creating things they can wear.  I have been very impressed with the results – we’ve had some really nice work created!

Unfortunately I keep forgetting to take my camera with me, but one student brought two of her pieces back to me to put in the texturing solution, so I have taken pictures of those as examples.  The copper bracelet is filed, hammered, and stamped.  She got “tangled” in it, and had me finish it for her.  The silver highlights are not metal, but are painted on.  The earrings are sawn, punched, and stamped, with sterling silver jump rings and beads.

Copper Cuff Bracelet

Copper Cuff Bracelet

I have been asked to continue the classes, with at least one a month, and am looking forward to coming up with new things we can do with the space and equipment we have available.  I plan to add rivets, and to come up with some projects where they can set stones without soldering using the rivets to hold two or more pieces of metal together.  We are also going to experiment with brass in addition to the copper.

For more information on classes you can contact me or the Cheraw Arts Commission.  I also offer workshops outside of the immediate area, and you are welcome to contact me if you are interested in having me come to your area.  Additional information is on my website, www.bethwicker.com

bethwicker

Latest posts by bethwicker (see all)

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Beth Wicker January 30, 2010 at 4:27 pm

Judy – I find that if you get too thin it will split on you, too thick and as you found it doesn’t move well. I generally use 18 – 22 gauge, depending on what I am doing, and what metal. Silver hardens faster than copper, so you might want to go a bit thinner on that. The other big thing is having your pitch the correct temperature. For repousse’ you want it warm – not hot, but warm and a bit soft, so it supports the metal but also gives with the metal as you hammer. For chasing you want it room temp, so much firmer. Hope this helps!

Judy K January 30, 2010 at 2:26 pm

Hi, I saw your blogs mentioned in WWJSilversmithing, and have really appreciated the effort you make in posting them. I have a question about repousse: what gauge silver do you find the best to work with? I’ve tried some repousse but have found it very difficult to make progress despite annealing; my suspicion is that I am using metal that is too thick. Thanks so much! regards, Judy

Taueret September 14, 2009 at 4:28 am

hi, I am a baby metalsmith 😉 and your classes sound like great fun- a good way to become familiar with the basic tools and skills, in a relaxed, fun setting. I wish I didn’t live so far away! oh well at least I’ve found your blog now.

leessilver August 25, 2009 at 10:03 am

Beth,
Sounds like you are having fun. Sharing our knowledge to others who wan to learn is very rewarding.
I laughted when I read about your little red wagon your saved from your daughters when she got older.
I rescued a little red wagon from the trash more than 30 years ago. I used it for carrying my tools to demonstrations and classes. It carried my groceries to my home from the car and trash to the dumpster.
I used it until several years ago when it lost a wheel. I shot it and buried it in the dumpster with a formal goodbye to a long and trusted friend. LOL
I now have a bright new little red wagon. I don’t teach or demonstrate any more so the new one is used only for carrying the groceries to the house and trash to the dumpster.

Bless you for sharing your knowledge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lee Epperson
leessilver@cox.net

Previous post:

Next post:

WordPress Admin