Saturday, May 13, 2023 
10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT 

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse 

All Levels Welcome

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.

Reticulation is the surface treatment of metal using heat that creates a wrinkling and crackling texture. This can be used alone or in combination with a number of other treatments like granulation and Keumboo, to make uniquely beautiful work. Reticulation (or “samorodok” in Russia) has been used as a surface treatment dating back to the 19th-century Russian metalsmiths, like Fabergé and northern Europe on things like cigarette cases, boxes, and flasks. Reticulated metal can be soldered and treated like other patterned stock metal. There are several metals we discuss, starting with sterling. But several metals can also be used: shibuichi, brass, and stock purchased Reticulation sterling. Bring your scrap sterling and brass, if you have it!

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 Metals:

Metals that can be reticulated through heat treatment include sterling (or silver alloys containing copper,) gold alloys containing copper, shibuichi (any type,) brass, or Reticulation metal (80% Ag (silver) / 20% Cu (copper)). 18-20ga sheet metal will work well for this class. Any of these alloys will work fine. I recommend sheet that is 18-20ga. It very desirable to work with at least a few inches square. The edges tend to unpredictably metal and /or contract unevenly. To get the best effects, start with a bigger piece than you plan to use, then cut it down to the size you need to make your pieces. You’re making stock patterned metal to work with.

Optional Metals:

• Reticulation Metal from Rio Grande: A piece of 4"x1” 80% Ag (silver) / 20% Cu (copper)
• Shining Wave Metal Shibuichi from Rio Grande: A piece of 3"x1”

Recommended Tools:

• You will need a torch that can heat the metal sheet almost to the melting point (Silver - 1640°F, Copper - 1983°F).
• Soldering set up
• 6" x 6" solderite pad
• Soft brass brush
• A planishing type hammer (Otto Frei)
• Tweezers
• Burnishing tool
• Optional Rolling mill
• Bowl of water to quench
• Pickle and pickle pot large enough for sheet metal