Roman Chain Weaving
Classic Loop-in-Loop
Roman Chain Weaving - also known as the Loop-in-Loop technique - creates chains that are strong, flexible, and silky using individual links that are woven together in a multitude of patterns. It is NOT chainmaille. Each of the links in the Roman weave style are fused or soldered closed (chainmaille is a pattern of connected links that are not permanently closed, fused, or soldered).
Sunday February 15, 2015
Sunday February 22, 2015
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL
Cost: $85 per person for both days
The class is limited to a maximum of 16 students, so reserve your place! A list of required materials is below. If you have any questions about the materials or tools, please let me know.
On the first day we will learn how to make the loops needed to weave the patterns. On the second day we will learn how to weave the various patterns and then shape and finish the chain. If you have any questions, please email me at kim@vorelart.com. This is one of my favorite workshops, and I hope you can join me!
Required materials:
1 ounce of 22 gauge fine silver wire, (NOT sterling silver)
OR
22 gauge copper wire.
A small hand held refillable butane torch (can be found in plumbing section of Menards, Home Depot, etc.)
2 - small containers (mint tins work well)
Safety glasses if you have them.
If you have jewelry hand tools (pliers, files, side cutters) please bring them also.
The fine silver wire or copper wire can be ordered from the following vendor. Please allow at least a week for the materials to arrive.
www.RioGrande.com or (800)545-6566.
Fine silver wire 22 gauge, 1 ounce – item # 105-322
Copper wire 22 gauge, 1 lb. spool – item # 132-322
Workshops
Sharing information, tips and techniques is a large part of what artist and educators are about. I offer a selection of workshops in jewelry making techniques as well as tool making skills. Listed below are some of the available workshops and the basic information (length of workshop, skills taught, equipment needed, student costs) for each workshop. If you have a suggestion for a workshop or a topic you would love to learn, please email me and let me know. I'll be happy to custom design the workshop you need! info@vorelart.com
Custom Jewelry, One of A Kind Art
Additional Workshop Topics:
Cold Connections
Chain Weaving – Ancient Roman Chains
Metal As Your Canvas – Color On Metal
Etching Metal – Traditional and Non-Traditional Methods
Basic Tool Making For Metalworking
Cold Connections
This is a two day workshop. It teaches the basic skills of metalworking: piercing, sawing, filing, sanding, polishing, texture, rivets, tabs, staples, and basic patination (coloration of metal).
Students work with base metal (copper, brass) and complete a project.
Class size for this workshop is 5-20 students and requires working studio space. Cost for this class is $145 per student.
Tools to Bring: ( Basic jewelry making tools)
Saw frame
Bench Pin and C clamp
Number 2 half round file
Set of needle files
Set of pliers (round nose, needle nose, flat nose)
Safety goggles
Apron
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Chain Weaving Workshop
This is a two day workshop that works best when each day is a week apart (i.e. two Saturdays). The first day covers preparing and making the links. The second day covers the various patterns and weaving the chain.
Class size for this workshop is 5-20, and only requires enough table space for each student. Cost for this workshop is $95 per student plus the cost of an ounce of fine silver wire.
Agenda:
Overview – Woven chains through history.
Selecting weave
Prepare dowel for wrapping wire.
Cut and fuse links.
Shape links.
Chain patterns.
One way loop-in loop.
Two way loop-in-loop.
One way double loop-in-loop.
Two way double loop-in-loop.
Thai chain.
Hammered loop-in-loop.
Pinched loop (sailor’s chain).
And more…
Materials/tools required for this workshop:
Fine Silver Wire – 22 gauge. (1 oz. = 16” necklace.)
Tools needed to bring:
Solderite pad – 6” x 6” – must be free of all flux/dirt.
(available for purchase - $6.00)
Hand held butane torch (example: Benzomatic, or crème brulee torch)
Pliers – needle nose and flat nose. (A bow-opening pliers is really handy,
but optional. Available for purchase - $30.00)
Beading awl. (Available for purchase - $6.00)
Small needle file – flat, knife edge, or barrette.
Containers (2) with lids for cut and fused links.
Magnifying visor (if desired).
Safety goggles
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Metal As Your Canvas
Color on Metal
This workshop will show you how to bring color to your metal work using basic painting and drawing materials. This is a one day workshop
Class size for this workshop is 5-15 students and requires a sturdy hammering surface and table space for each student. Cost for this workshop is $115 per student.
Overview:
Preparing the metal
Preparing the canvas
Color materials
Materials to bring:
Apron
Safety goggles
You may want to bring ear protection, if you have it. It will be loud in the studio in the morning!
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Etching on Metal
Traditional and Non-Traditional Methods
This workshop covers various methods used to etch base metal for surface decoration. The workshop runs 1 or 2 days.
Class size for this workshop is 10-20 students and requires working studio space. Cost for this workshop is $115 per student for 1 day workshop, and $145 per student for two day workshop.
Etch Methods
Metal Preparation
PNP Photo Etch Method
Silkscreen Method
Wax Scraffito Method
Stencil Methods
Paper cut-out
Electrical tape cut-out
Painting Methods
White-out
Nail Polish
Paint Pen
Sharpie marker
India Ink
Materials to bring:
Apron
Safety goggles
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Basic Tool Making For Metal Working
This workshop covers ways to save money and make and alter tools for the metal working studio using easily available materials. The workshop is a minimum of 2 days, and can run 3 days to cover all of the topics listed.
Class size for this workshop is 5-15 students and requires working studio space and equipment (including a large drill press, torch, sanding belt/disc, and Foredom equipment). Cost for this workshop is $145 per student for a 2 day workshop, and $175 per student for 3 days.
Making: Tool Maintenance:
Riveting hammer Clean/oil Flex Shaft
Tempered steel stamping tool/chasing tool Replacing motor brushes on Flex Shaft
Sanding sticks Cleaning Files
Large Flat sanding surface Cleaning/oiling steel mandrels and blocks
Burnishing tool
Bezel pusher
Custom shaped dapping block and punch
Tool Altering: Materials to Bring:
Polishing edges of files Old fork or knife
Polishing edges of pliers Files - large and needle files (old and new)
Coating pliers (w/silicone/rubber) Old, used jewelry pliers
Creating a tube cutting jig w/old pliers Safety goggles
Creating texturing hammers Apron
Other Tools and Modifications:
Anticlastic Stake
Swage Block
File handle modification
Organizing for saw blade size
Quick Change texturing hammer
Quieting bracelet mandrel
Keeping flux container clean/moist
Keeping wire straight (also discuss saw blades)
Drilling holder
Polishing for small places
Holding small stones for setting
File cleaner
Sanding a tube level
Etching Stir/vibrate
Wax model polisher