Saturday, March 18, 2023  
10:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

All Levels

Zoom link and instructions for joining the call will be emailed 1 day prior to class.

The class supply list is below. It contains links to buy the supplies you need.

This class will be recorded, and the recording will be available for students to access through their Little Metal Foxes accounts for a full month after the live class.

Making chain requires all the basic jewelry-making skills. Applying variations on those techniques you can make something unique and amazing. During this class, we will demonstrate soldering and fusing techniques related to chain making, increase your knowledge about linking chain and simplify construction, as well as, give you tips and tools that will make soldering simple with a variety of solders. The focus of the class will be on the classic elongated oval or the currently more popular name, the paperclip chain.

Supply List for Students

The links below will take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Registered Little Metal Foxes students can access the Rio for Schools program for significant savings (discounts and flat-rate shipping). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Materials:

A wide variety of shapes and gauges of wire are available and are great to add to your visual vocabulary for your designs.

• 16ga sterling round annealed/dead-soft. About 2 feet will make a bracelet
• 20 or 22ga Serling round wire, annealed dead-soft. About 4 feet will make a bracelet
• Solder. I will be using easy, & medium solder in sheet, & paste.

Additional Materials:

Fine silver & Argentium wire can be used to create some amazing chain by fusing. Of course, you can use a heavier gauge for a bulkier look or finer wires for more delicate links. And different profiles will give you outstanding results! Half-round and square work very well!

Recommended Tools:

• Assortment of general wire-forming jewelry pliers
• Saw frame and 4/0 blades
• Flush cutting pliers
• Lion Punch Forge paperclip chain mandrels
• Swanstrom link-forming pliers and peg set
• Steel jig for Swanstrom link-forming pliers
• Paint stirring sticks or wooden dowels