Sunday, April 23, 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 and 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.

Let’s learn how to hollow form some earrings! We will introduce synclastic forming techniques, several types of forming blocks, hammers, punches, stakes, and mandrels. You will be introduced to a variety of methods that will allow them to form metals sheet into synclastic forms or jewelry and similar small-scale work.

We will demonstrate a wide variety of hammers and forming tools, with traditional and non-traditional solutions, including ways to create unique ones for the student’s individual needs.

Demonstrations will also include how to use all of the dapping block and swage block grooves to form things like domes, curves, sharp bends, hollow tapers, and tubes. We will also examine several options for shaping mandrels and making a custom forming hammer. We will introduce you to a technique of synclastic forming to create lightweight hollow hoop earrings.

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 Tools:

• Basic forming block set, Amazon, $179
• Cutting tool such as a saw or Joyce Chen shears.
• Forming Set, Pepe Tools, $145-1,400
• Forming set, Otto Frei, $195
• Water buffalo horn tip
• German style chasing hammer handle

Suggested Materials:

• Sterling, 26 gauge sheet. 6" x 1” will work great.
• Sterling 19 gauge round wire
• Sheets of copper are available at local hardware stores. The metal we will be using should be dead soft or annealed