About the workshop...

The more you know about a craft the more you'll appreciate those crafted objects. Few people ponder deeply about how an object is made because they would not know where to start. For those of us who "make", the wonderment of how an object is made makes us pause...pause...and then pause some more. This workshop is going to give me the opportunity to add even more wonderment to the objects I make. Here is the description of the workshop

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Explore the exciting world of plastic, chemical, heat-based and fabricated textures in metal. Students will learn a variety of surface-altering techniques.
Plastic deformation: Using hammers and stamps, making custom texturing hammers, hydraulic die embossing, roller printing, custom electro-etching steel plates for embossing and roller printing
Surface removal: chemical etching (including the use of PNP Blue resist), physical grinding
Molten metal: alternative casting (ice, straw, cuttlefish), fusing (granulation and filings), reticulation
Additive practices: Soldered elements, decorative rivets
The emphasis for the above techniques will be surface effects. We will also discuss the challenges associated with their inclusion in finished work. This workshop will enable participants to create a range of surface finishes for application in many metalworking and jewelry scenarios. All levels.

Here is an image that Ana sent me as examples of some of those surface techniques we'll be learning in the course.

Here is an image of the items I prepared to bring with me as described in the materials list.

MATERIALS LIST

12 or more 1/0 jewelers saw blades
Borax-based flux for nonferrous metals
x-acto knife
Hard, *medium, easy silver solder (a few inches each)
1 inexpensive ball-peen hammer to alter
Jeweler’s saw
12x12” copper foil (28 -30 gauge)
Beeswax or other saw lubricant
3 oz sterling silver casting grain
Set of 5 needle files
20 gauge sterling sheet 3x3”
Half round hand file #0 or #2 cut
10 gauge wire (*brass, *copper or sterling) 1foot
Padlock for your studio locker, if desired (for rent in the Supply Store).

I forgot to bring saw blades but fortunately we were told that we can purchase many of these items from the supply store.

As you all know by now, I live in Abu Dhabi, UAE but I come back to my home State of Virginia every summer. I am now in Virginia staying with my daughter who is going to College here. I will be taking a flight tomorrow morning from Dulles airport to McGhee Tyson airport in Knoxville, TN. I have't yet made arrangement for how I will get from the airport to Gatlinburg where Arrowmont is but I will tell you all about tomorrow since from now on, I'll be posting daily at the end of the day.

I am off to pack now. I'll talk to you tomorrow from the wonderful Arrowmont campus, I can't wait!!!