Ferrous Musings/Fusings
Instructor: Chris Nelson
March 7 – 11
10 am – 5 pm

A fast-moving 5-day intensive workshop in iron and gold where we will explore the techniques and materials required to create distinctive ferrous jewelry incorporating 3 workshop alloyed golds, and other metals including shibuichi.

Chris Nelson is an nationally/internationally recognized studio metal artist who has explored the use of iron and gold in great depth and will now be sharing in a workshop situation all that he has learned in working these seemingly antagonistic metals.

WE WILL BE STUDYING AND EXPLORING:
A short introduction to varieties of iron/steel and their properties
Demo of simple tool making (tagane chisels)
Hand and machine applied textures with chisels/punches, and hammer handpiece
Cold forging, cold forming, hydraulic press forming
Productive soldering technique
Galvanic Salt Water etching process
Finishing processes/Patinas
Formulating fluxes
Alloying/extruding of 3 productive gold alloys
Fusing multiple alloys of gold by hand with a torch.
Alternative fusing method with mini-kiln
A brief demonstration of Nunome Zougan and inlayed rivets.

This is a process/technique driven workshop. The focus is on gaining information, knowledge, practice and skills in working with iron and fusing gold onto iron. We will be creating a ring, a cuff or bangle, or a pendant of your own design as class projects.

Advanced beginner to advanced fabrication skills are mandatory for success in the workshop. There will be extensive high temperature torch work with the fusing process. We will primarily be using the Meco Midget and Hoke torches for the fusings.

A tool list will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring their own basic hand tools. Tools that are used in silver and gold work can generally be used in working iron.

Course # 1403711 $875. (+$55. Kit fee)

NOTE: Each student will bring .25 oz of fine gold with them for alloying. Scrap gold is not acceptable. Proper alloys are what make the process predictable.

To register, call 360-568-7709