Wire work progressive 4 part series. You must sign up for all 4 classes

Intsructor; Erin Stroh

Dates: 10/ 3, 10/10, 10/17, and 10/24 Time: 6-9pm Price: $180

Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Beginning wire wrapping encouraged, but not required if the student has some experience working with wire or basic jewelry construction

Concept: Students will start this 4 part series at the very beginning and progress to an intermediate level by the end. This course will include information regarding metal and wire choices, practices for creating your own designs incorporating beads and cabochons, various wire weaving techniques and tons of hands-on practice developing your own creations. Each class will have a separate focus, increasing skill, learning new techniques and incorporating concepts from the previous class. 

By the end of the series, students will have made a handful of items ranging from rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. 

This is a great class for anyone who is self-taught and wants to fine-tune their designing or technique as well. It is advised that students have their own tools so they can practice at-home between each session, but it is not required. 

Students sign-up for the series as a whole, not individual sessions. When you order your ticket just choose the first date option. That will sign you up for the whole series.

Individual class description:

In the first part of the series, students will learn how to form connections, create components like ear-wires and head-pins, and practice simple additions like spirals, coils and shapes. Focus of this session will also be on heavy gauge wire shaping, hammering to create texture and dimension, and combining pieces to form finished jewelry. 

Each student will receive a glossary of wire and jewelry terms, metals, and tools. Students may leave class with a finished ring, necklace and/or pair of earrings. They will also receive a few practice projects to work on at home before the next session. Although this is highly recommended, it is not required to complete these projects before the next class. 

Tools used: 
beading Mat
Chain nose pliers
Round Nose Pliers
flat nose pliers
multi-loop pliers
flush cutters
chasing hammer
bench block
small metal files
super fine-grit sand-paper
ring mandrel
paper
pencils
sharpies
measuring tape

2. In the second part of the series, skills will evolve. Focus will be on various styles of weaving with fine gauge wire and heavy gauge wire. This session will be mostly hands-on and students will leave with a bracelet design incorporating a number of different wire weaving patterns. 

Tools used: 
beading Mat
Chain nose pliers
Round Nose Pliers
flat nose pliers
multi-loop pliers
flush cutters
chasing hammer
bench block
small metal files
super fine-grit sand-paper
bracelet mandrel
paper
pencils
sharpies
measuring tape


3. In the third part of the series, we will focus on combing weaving styles and shapes to create a pendant design using a drilled focal bead. We will combine techniques learned in previous sessions to construct and finish a necklace of your own design. We will also explore patinas, finishing and polishing. 

Tools used: 
beading Mat
Chain nose pliers
Round Nose Pliers
flat nose pliers
multi-loop pliers
flush cutters
chasing hammer
bench block
small metal files
super fine-grit sand-paper
ring mandrel
paper
pencils
sharpies
measuring tape


4. In the fourth and final part of the series, we will focus on basic cabochon caging. Students will use techniques learned in all previous classes as well as incorporating a focal cabochon. We will learn how to securely enclose a cabochon with weaving and create a woven bail. 

Tools used: 
beading Mat
Chain nose pliers
Round Nose Pliers
flat nose pliers
multi-loop pliers
flush cutters
chasing hammer
bench block
small metal files
super fine-grit sand-paper
ring mandrel
paper
pencils
sharpies
measuring tape


Tool list for students who wish to have their own set to work from home: 
Chain nose pliers
round nose pliers
flat nose pliers
multi-loop pliers
flush cutters
bench block
chasing hammer
small metal files

Materials required for this course should be acquired by the student before the first part of the series. Some materials are optional. Students may want to acquire most wire in copper for practice, but can also bring extra wire in fine or sterling silver for constructing their finished pieces. 

Copper wire:
1 ounce of 28 gauge wire dead soft (optional)
1 ounce of 26 gauge wire dead soft
10 of 24 gauge wire dead soft
10 feet of 24 gauge wire half hard
10 feet of 22 gauge wire dead soft
20 feet of 20 gauge wire dead soft
10 feet of 20 gauge wire half hard
20 feet of 18 gauge wire dead soft
10 feet of 16 gauge wire dead soft
4 feet of 14 gauge wire dead soft (optional)
2 feet of 12 gauge wire dead soft






Drilled beads (instructor will also have bead kits available for students to choose from if they’d like. Prices will vary from $5 to $20 per kit)-

10+ 2mm metal beads
10+ 3mm metal beads
10+ 4mm metal beads
3-5 large focal beads
2 cabochons- at least one should be round or oval. 

Extras- 
Chain or cord for your necklace designs
1 foot of chain large enough for 20 guage wire to pass through links in whatever metal you prefer (should match your wire choice for your finished pieces)
Other beads or metal spacer beads of your choice