Layered Pendant: Sweat Soldering Using the Heat Zone Method

Regardless of your metalsmithing experience, learning the Heat Zone Method will enable you to solder with increased confidence and ease, especially with more complicated designs such as layered metal.  Once learned, this technique can be used for a variety of different projects.

In this one-day workshop, students how to take their own design of a sawn piece of metal and solder it onto a back plate by using the Heat Zone method.  In addition to learning the heat zone method, you'll learn Michele's tricks (from her years of sweat soldering) about how to properly sweat solder sawn and small pieces! 

We will cover:

• Sawing techniques
• Design advice
• Metal prep
• Heat zone torch overview
• Sweat soldering
• Polishing and finishing techniques, including Liver of Sulfur application

Details:

• 8 contact hours, ages 14+ at the Silver Peak Studio Classroom located at 100.5 E. Cleveland St. Lafayette 80026
• Saturday, May 11, 9:00-5:00 
• # students: 3 minimum, 6 maximum
• Materials kit fee is $45 which includes: 2" x 2" sterling silver sheet, solder, sandpaper, and silver for ear-wire or bail. Materials fee will be due by the end of class via cash, check, or Venmo.
• Bring 2 to 3 design ideas that will fit onto 1-inch x 2-inches of metal.  Please note: you will need enough metal for the back plate, which will be a little larger than your design.
• Each student will work at their own dedicated jeweler's bench. 
• Prerequisite: Metals 1, Intro to Metalsmithing, or equivalent

By registering for this workshop, you agree to our cancellation policy, dress code, and studio rules.

About the instructor, Michele Throne

Michele’s first dip into metalsmithing started with a high school class. She then picked it back up after getting her BFA at Florida State University. She’s been a full time jeweler for 11 years, and has been teaching art since 1998 and metalsmithing since 2012. She has taught workshops in the Boulder area for over a decade.

Her deep love and appreciation for everything outdoors and love for people inspire her to create jewelry focused on nature and the human experience. 

A few of Michele's favorite things: rock climbing, unlikely animal friendship videos, and chai tea on her back deck on a summer morning.