Day 54 - 63 Cabochon Stone Setting & Independent Project

Agenda- 

• FINAL - Art Show Display this semester
• Prepare your best jewelry piece of the semester to show by Friday
• Type up your Artist Statement in C147- December 4th, 2018
• Display your work and artist statement the 7th or 10th in the case.  
• Observe the Student End of Semester Art Show - Dec. 10th
• Write your Final Critique Dec. 13th

Water, Elements #4  

• Four Elements - Cabochon Stone Set Pendant Due Dec. 18th

Earth, air, fire, & water – the four elements.  

Design Problem 

Use all four elements in your design for the cabochon stone setting.  

Many people are drawn to one particularly, associating certain things with each.  In metalsmithing we use all four elements to make the work. 

• EARTH – Metal ore comes from the earth, is mined from it’s depths.  And of course gemstones are just shined up rocks!
• FIRE – This one’s easy.  You need fire to smelt the ore and to then shape the metal.  You also use it to fuse or solder pieces together.
• AIR – The torch is an acetylene/air torch, drawing atmospheric air into the gas stream.  Also, air helps to cool your pieces sometimes.
• WATER – We use water to “quench” a hot piece of metal.  Sometimes this is just to cool it down, other times it’s used in the actual tempering process of the metal (usually steel.)

Below are five videos on how to set a cabochon stone.

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 1 

Art Jewelry  - Making a Bezel part 2

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 3 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 4 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 5

Art Jewelry Setting a Cabochon in a Bezel Part 1

Art Jewelry - Setting a Cabochon in a Bezel Part 2 

Art Jewelry - Setting a Cab Part 3

Past Student Work

Day 50-53 - Cabochon Stone Setting

  CABOCHON STONE SET PENDANT

Vocabulary - 

Bezel setting-  a method of securing a stone onto a piece of jewelry. It consists simply of a band of metal wrapped around the stone to hold it in place. 

Stone Settings

 

Stacey of Wildflower Designs

Natural Mandalas - iolite and sterling silver ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia                 

Dawn Light - Crazy Lace Agate Ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia

Tie Strings to Clouds necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Submarine necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Agenda- 

• Write your first artist statement. 
• Pick up a handout at the front of the room.  
• Think back on your Artist Inspired Soldered Bracelet design and process to write your first artist statement for this class. 
• Hand write the essay and turn this in today!

Water, Elements #4 - gone to a good home

Earth, air, fire, & water – the four elements.  

Design Problem 

Use all four elements in your design for the cabochon stone setting.  

Many people are drawn to one particularly, associating certain things with each.  In metalsmithing we use all four elements to make the work. 

• EARTH – Metal ore comes from the earth, is mined from it’s depths.  And of course gemstones are just shined up rocks!
• FIRE – This one’s easy.  You need fire to smelt the ore and to then shape the metal.  You also use it to fuse or solder pieces together.
• AIR – The torch is an acetylene/air torch, drawing atmospheric air into the gas stream.  Also, air helps to cool your pieces sometimes.
• WATER – We use water to “quench” a hot piece of metal.  Sometimes this is just to cool it down, other times it’s used in the actual tempering process of the metal (usually steel.)

Below are five videos on how to set a cabochon stone.

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 1 

Art Jewelry - Setting a cabochon in a bezel part 2 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 3 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 4 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 5

Past Student Work

Day 45 - Lapidary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwM1dOsWsoo

Warm Up - Watch the video to prepare for Mr. Sanchez's visit. Read the following Vocabulary. 

Vocabulary - 

Lapidary Combination Machine - A unit that combines the versatilty of a trim saw and a sanding/polishing drums in one unit

Lapidary - (lapidarist, Latin: lapidarius) is an artist or artisan who forms stone, minerals, or gemstones into decorative items such as cabochons, engraved gems, including cameos, and faceted designs.^[1][2] The primary techniques employed are cutting, grinding, and polishing.^[2][3] Carving is an important, but specialised technique.

What is Cabochon Cut Stone?
Cabochon is a type of cut or shape of a where in gemstone will have a convex top with flat bottom. Typically cabochon cut is applied to opaque gemstones and has one flat surface. It could be round or oval shaped. 

What is Faceted Cut Stone?
Faceted is a type of cut for gemstones where gemstones have multiple flat surfaces called 'Facets'. This type of cut also has a larger flat surface on top which is called 'Table'. Typically faceted stones have 58 Facets, but it could be more or less. The purpose of having multiple facets is to reflect most of the light falling on it from different angles to give it, it's brilliance. Faceted cut is mostly applied to transparent gemstones.

Agenda - 

• Work in groups of two or three to come up with 5 questions regarding the art of lapidary for Mr. Sanchez
• Continue to work out your EARTH, AIR, FIRE, & WATER Stone Set Pendant plans.  
• Pick up a few magazines to help with idea making.
• Use the handout to come up with 10 design ideas.
• Include repetition in your designs.  
• Use techniques taught in class. 
• Wire design, saw pierce design
• ON THURSDAY
• Watch Mr. Sanchez's talk
• Bring $5.00 - $10.00 to purchase stones if you would like. (I have glass cabochons if your decide not to).

Day 44 - Four Elements Cabochon Stone Setting

 Cabochon Stone Set Pendant

Vocabulary - 

Bezel setting-  a method of securing a stone onto a piece of jewelry. It consists simply of a band of metal wrapped around the stone to hold it in place. 

Stone Settings

 

Stacey of Wildflower Designs

Natural Mandalas - iolite and sterling silver ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia                 

Dawn Light - Crazy Lace Agate Ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia

Tie Strings to Clouds necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Submarine necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Agenda- 

Water, Elements #4 - gone to a good home

Earth, air, fire, & water – the four elements.  

Design Problem 

Use all four elements in your design for the cabochon stone setting.  

Many people are drawn to one particularly, associating certain things with each.  In metalsmithing we use all four elements to make the work. 

• EARTH – Metal ore comes from the earth, is mined from it’s depths.  And of course gemstones are just shined up rocks!
• FIRE – This one’s easy.  You need fire to smelt the ore and to then shape the metal.  You also use it to fuse or solder pieces together.
• AIR – The torch is an acetylene/air torch, drawing atmospheric air into the gas stream.  Also, air helps to cool your pieces sometimes.
• WATER – We use water to “quench” a hot piece of metal.  Sometimes this is just to cool it down, other times it’s used in the actual tempering process of the metal (usually steel.)

Below are five videos on how to set a cabochon stone.

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 1 

Art Jewelry - Setting a cabochon in a bezel part 2 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 3 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 4 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 5

Past Student Work

Day 36 - 40 Solder Wire Bracelets

Mercedes W. 2016

Warm Up - Look at the chain-work. How do you think she made her chain?  

Learning Objective -  You will be able to work with forming wire and soldering while designing a bracelet that shows rhythm and movement.

Language Objective - Copy down the definition for forming into your sketchbook and watch the demonstration.  

Vocabulary
forming- the process of shaping metal primarily through the use of dapping blocks and different shaped mallets or hammers.

patinas- the discoloration that forms on metals as a result of natural aging, typically appearing on silver and bronze. The condition is often planned for when the jewelry is designed, can also be introduced artificially by use of chemicals.

liver of sulfur patina- a chemical compound used in metalworking to create antique-looking patinas on silver and copper bearing alloys such as brass, bronze and copper, used in jewelry to create visible texture. 

Finishing Tips

• Remove all visible solder using sandpaper. 
• Sand the surface with all levels of sand paper, 320, 400, and 600 grits
• Form your bracelet before linking together
• Use the wider dowels and 18 gauge copper/brass wire for making the links
• Be sure to clean the surface of your metal with ammonia and water before applying the liver or sulfur patina
• Let the patina dry completely before using steel wool to gently clean the surface

Agenda -

• Jewelry I- Work on your bracelets using these steps
1. Drill holes and Saw pierce
2. File all the edges
3. Form wire and flatten to touch the surface of your metal
4. Solder the wire and pickle
5. Sand the excess solder off your piece and sand the surface for neatness.
6. Form your pieces- Be sure your link holes are big enough before you form your bracelet!  
7. Make links with the 16 gauge wire to link them together
8. Create chain work and hook to complete the bracelet
9. Use the Liver of Sulfur to patina  the surface.  
10. Steel wool to surface to bring up the shine
• Bracelets are Due Tuesday Oct. 30th

Solder Wire Designed Bracelet Rubric                                            

Demonstrate competency in traditional and new art media	4 Advanced Understanding of the Standard	3 Meets the Standard	2 Approaches the Standard	1 Does Not Meet the Standard
Evidence Outcome: Create works of art representing traditional subject matter that use new media	Excellent care and craftsmanship shown in the work. Your design has more than 5 pierced areas. The design is original, no cliche images were used. The bracelet is wearable no sharp edges or points, it’s curved properly and the links are neat and stable. Cutting is accurate on the piece and proper filing has left the edges completely smooth, and sanding has removed solder, file marks, and scratches. Wires are soldered completely to the surface and ends of the wire are filed. The surface is evenly sanded or polished the surface looks finished. If you used Liver of Sulfur the surface is even and properly sanded with steel wool to create a soft bright finish.	Proficient/satisfactory care, craftsmanship and skill shown in the work. Your design has at least 5 pierced areas. The design is original, no cliche images were used. The bracelet is wearable no sharp edges or points, it’s curved properly and the links are neat and stable. Cutting is accurate on the piece and proper filing has left the edges mostly smooth, and sanding has removed most of the solder, file marks, and scratches. Wires are soldered completely to the surface and ends of the wire are filed. The surface is evenly sanded or polished the surface looks finished. If you used Liver of Sulfur the surface is even and properly sanded with steel wool to create a soft bright finish.	Developing care, craftsmanship and skill shown in the work.  Your design has less than 5 pierced areas. You may have used cliche images for the design. Piercing has some sharp edges or points and it may not have been curved properly. Cut out areas are over-cut. Cutting is mostly accurate on the piece. Proper filing has left the edges mostly smooth, and sanding has not removed all of the solder, file marks, and scratches. Wires are not completely soldered onto the surface and or the ends of the wire are not filed. The surface is not evenly sanded or polished. You may not have completed your bracelet with a smooth finish or patina.	Beginning care, craftsmanship and skill shown in the work.   Your design has less than 4 pierced areas. You’ve used cliche images for the design. Piercing has sharp edges or points and is not curved. Cut out areas are over-cut. Cutting isn’t accurate on the piece. The work is not filed, and sanding has not removed all of the solder, file marks, and scratches on the surface. Wires are not completely soldered onto the surface and or the ends of the wire are not filed. The surface is not evenly sanded or polished. Your bracelet does not have a finish on the surface.

Day 31 to 35 Chain Work for Bracelet

Student work

Learning Objective- You will be able to manipulate wire to create a chainwork design to complete your Wire Solder Bracelet design.

Language Objective- Pick up a Chain-making Basics handout and read through the techniques and designs.  

Agenda-

• Watch forming demonstration - Oct. 9th
• Watch chainwork demonstration - Oct. 11th
• Watch Patina demonstration - Tuesday Oct. 16th
• Start designing your own chain work to incorporate into your bracelet piece (you could change this into bracelet earring combination, or a necklace). 
• Continue to work on your soldering project.  
1. Solder wire onto surface
2. Sand the pieces from 280 to 600.
• Remove all the visible silver solder. 
3. Form the bracelet pieces.
4. Create Chainwork to complete the wearable bracelet. 
5. Patina the surface with liver of sulfer patina
• Remember safety soldering tips.  
• Wire Solder Project - Due Next Thursday Oct. 18th
• If you complete the project early.  You can make a chain-work necklace using beads.  You could make earrings to match, or come up with your own assignment with what you have already learned.   

Jewelry II Agenda - 

• Metal beads with chainwork -  Due this Friday, Oct. 12th.  

Three Tips for Soldering

1. Keep it clean: Solder won't flow and join your pieces of metal jewelry together if any part of the equation is dirty. (Metal, solder, flux)
2. Get rid of gaps: Join the metal pieces you're soldering tightly together. Solder will not fill gaps in metal. Flatten pieces so that every part touches!!!
3. Solder flows towards heat: Never direct the flame from your torch directly at the solder. Heat the metal where you want the solder to flow (towards the pieces needing joining). The whole piece needs to heated evenly!!!

 ALWAYS REMEMBER SAFETY!!!

• Hair tied back
• Wear safety glasses
• No loose clothing
• Covered shoes
• Stay seated at the soldering bay
• Don't distract anyone working with the torches!!! 

Wire Work Examples

Student work

Student work

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work