\n\t $\"Copper$ <\/a>\n\t

Copper and sterling earrings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 I also provide each student with ear plugs, and have safety glasses for those who don’t have their own.<\/p>\n

This summer we have been working in copper, as it is affordable and a good metal for texturing and shaping.<\/p>\n

I have started with basic skills, and as students take additional classes they can add more skills.\u00a0 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!<\/p>\n

They have learned to saw, to file, to sand, to use a punch, to chase, to hammer, and to stamp.\u00a0 They have learned how to open and close jump rings.\u00a0 We’ve used both templates and freehand drawing to mark our metal.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 I mix it in a glass container.\u00a0 Do NOT put a lid on securely, as I have been told it will eventually explode!<\/p>\n

So far I’ve only had one gentleman student, the rest have been ladies.\u00a0 They have had a blast, and have gained a new appreciation for the jewelry they wear and purchase, and what went into making it!\u00a0 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.\u00a0 I have been very impressed with the results – we’ve had some really nice work created!<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 The copper bracelet is filed, hammered, and stamped.\u00a0 She got “tangled” in it, and had me finish it for her.\u00a0 The silver highlights are not metal, but are painted on.\u00a0 The earrings are sawn, punched, and stamped, with sterling silver jump rings and beads.<\/p>\n

\n\t $\"Copper$ <\/a>\n\t

Copper Cuff Bracelet<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We are also going to experiment with brass in addition to the copper.<\/p>\n

For more information on classes you can contact me or the Cheraw Arts Commission.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Additional information is on my website, www.bethwicker.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"