Saturday, April 29, 2023
2:00 - 5:00 pm PDT
Instructor: Julia Lowther
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.
Hollow box rings can be large statement rings with complicated profiles, or simpler rings in organic and geometric shapes that either stand on their own or provide a platform for the addition of stones. No matter what the shape, they are lightweight and cost-effective, offering you the ability to create wonderfully three-dimensional work, without breaking the bank or your hand. As always, there are easy ways and hard ways to accomplish the construction of these multi-dimensional works. In this class, you will learn how to take advantage of the easy ways, and avoid the difficult pitfalls (like actual explosions, yes, for real!)
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate - Some jewelry-making experience is highly recommended, especially some familiarity with using a jeweler’s saw, and some practice soldering on your own.
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:
You will need two flat sheets of material for the box sides and 2-3 strips of material for the edges. These can be copper, brass, silver, etc. Here are the dimensions, and links for copper and sterling silver:
- 2 pcs 2”x3” - 22 ga sheet, AND
- 2-3 pcs 6” long strips of 22 ga sheet either ¼” or ½” wide
- 26ga stainless steel binding wire - 503073
- Solder 3” each: Easy - 101100, Med - 101703, Hard - 101704
-
Paste Flux - fluoride-free - OTTO FREI 154.440
(Ottoflux, Superior #6, Grifflux #1, Dandix = all the same)
(Rio Grande does not carry a fluoride-free paste flux) - T-pins 2” or 1.5” (Amazon)
- Baking soda
Basic Tools recommended to have at your bench for this project:
- Torch, fuel, & spark
(both these torches use disposable 1lb propane tanks, most insurance allows this size inside the home) - Bernzomatic Propane Torch - HOME DEPOT (includes built-in lighter)
- OR Orca EZ Torch - OTTO FREI 114.250 (for DISPOSABLE tanks)
- Torch lighter - OTTO FREI 114.205
-
Solderite pad 6”x6” - 502064
OR other fireproof soldering surface (fire brick, or scrap of cement board i.e. hardiebacker tile board) -
Pickle - 5010233
OR sodium bisulfate for pools from a hardware store -
Pickle pot - 501021
OR small crockpot; OR glass jar + PLASTIC lid + mug warmer - Copper tongs - 501017
-
Flux brush - 115141
OR small cheap paintbrush with natural bristles (size 4 is good) - solder pick = length of wire coat hanger (point on one end + flat spiral handle)
- Soldering tripod with medium-mesh screen - 502087
- 6” Lazy susan turntable (all metal) (Amazon)
- Tweezers (for solder placement) - 115018
- Jewelers saw frame (2.25” throat) -110039
- 4/0 jewelers saw blades (pkg/12) - 110304
- Bench pin & anvil - 110014
- Cross-lock tweezers - 115051
- Finger gauge set - 116021
- Dividers - 116224
- Brass sliding gauge - 116075
- Pin vise - 113146
- Center punch - 118117
-
Chasing hammer - 112225
OR small ball pein hammer - 119333 - Flat/half round forming pliers - 111180
- Chain-nose pliers - 111911
- Flat-nose pliers - 111912
- Round-nose pliers - 111913
- Side cutters - 111931
- Ring mandrel - 112575
- Nylon mallet - 112013
- Metal ruler - 116493
- Flat hand file (#2 cut is good, get a handle as well) - 114925
- Half-round hand file (#2 cut is good, get a handle as well) - 114931
- Set 6 needle files (cut #4) - 114796
- Joyce Chen shears (Amazon)
- Emery board or sapphire nail file (Amazon)
- Sandpaper (800, 600, 400, 220 grits) + popsicle sticks + masking tape
- Patina - Liver of Sulfur gel - 331033
- Polishing cloth - 337039