Blanking Dies with Tools and Jigs

September 11 – 15, 2017
Georgia Guild of Goldsmiths,
Atlanta, Georgia

 

 

SKU: September 11 - 15, 2017 Category:

Description

Register at: www.georgiagoldsmiths.org

Jayne Redman is known for her unusual way of working with metal in three dimensions, often using multiples of the same shape to convey a single idea. Using nature as her inspiration she considers combinations of form and function, integrating mechanics with design and applying innovative engineering methods. How petals are attached to each other can generate an idea for an assembly process. Studying the curve of a leaf can lead to a new forming technique. The graceful bend of a flower stem can become an ear wire design.

This workshop will teach you how to develop patterns for many of the engineering concepts that Jayne Redman works with in her jewelry. You will learn the principles behind centrally radiating forms, properly nested forms, spacing for slotted forms, using faux hinging, and tab construction. Making your own self registering, one piece blanking dies will give you the ability to quickly create multiples in metal sheet of the shapes you conceive, affording you the time to get lost in the design process and experiment with forming and assembling.

With wood, steel, thermal reactive plastic and hard plastics, you will make tools for forming your shapes in metal sheet and jigs for perfectly duplicating wire findings. You will make a series of tools that will allow you to measure, cut, and bend wire accurately in coils, circles and straight lengths and make several variations of jigs for reverse curve ear wires and linkage systems of your own design. These methods can also be used for perfectly duplicating cloisonné wires. You will modify pliers to create perfect loops with accurate inside diameters, tapered tube crimps to attach tubular clasps to chain or neck wire coils, and make all purpose fine tapered flat and flat-oval pliers.

You will leave the workshop with the knowledge of how to design and make your own blanking dies and to comfortably modify existing tools as well as invent your own tools and jigs.

All the materials and flexshaft tools necessary to make jigs and blanking dies will be supplied in a Tools and Materials kit – $120. Jayne will supply her Rotational Bench Pin System for each student to use and have them available for sale at a special workshop price.

Additional information

Date/Location:

July 13 – 14, 2016, Metalwerx, Waltham, MA