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Little Metal Foxes

06/15 Alternative Stone Setting: Modified Bezels

06/15 Alternative Stone Setting: Modified Bezels

$78.00 USD
$78.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Saturday, June 15, 2024 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

You can create some unique stone settings with fancy or altered bezels. We will show you several alternatives for gallery-wire, creating custom bezels for problem stones, and a great way to begin to approach fancy settings for faceted stones. This can give you many options for decorative embellishments that would not be possible with more traditional bezel settings.  We will begin with creating a frame for the stone. Fancy or altered bezels are a great way to set unusual shapes and larger faceted stones. We will explore decorative custom bezels and gallery wire to create the frame. 

Demonstrations will include working with gallery wires, working with different wires, and setting the stone.  

Students may work along with their materials or choose to just watch, take notes, and participate in the class. Students might want to practice on samples in sterling, copper, brass, or gold fill. 

Following the class, students are encouraged to produce both samples and finished elements for jewelry applications. Everyone is encouraged to return to the LMF website, sign into their account and watch the video again for up to a month following the class. (Pro tip: Take screenshots of images that you want details of and add them to your notes for reference later!)
 
Prerequisite: Beginning to intermediate jewelry working skills. Previous basic bezels setting experience recommended. You will need the ability and tools to solder. Be sure to check out the Core Skills classes if you need a refresher on basic skills.

All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. Zoom link and instructions for joining the call will be emailed 1 day (24 hours) prior to class.

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

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. Students in the Rio for Schools program enjoy wholesale benefits for six months (instructor code = RFSLMF). 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 sheet and wire gauges and wire profiles afford you a broader range of experience and design possibilities. Wire profiles, like round square, half-round, triangle, and rectangle wire, are great for adding depth to your experience and visual vocabulary. You don't need a lot of material to work with. A sample variety of a foot or two of different wires will make your work a lot more fun! 

Medium and larger stones (even those that aren’t necessarily oval & round,) flat surface stones, some found objects, and flat enameled pieces will work well for this stone setting technique. 

Listed below are options that I will be discussing and demonstrating. It is not necessary to purchase all of them to be able to work on your jewelry.

Metals, Solder & Flux

Stones

Don’t use your best/most precious stones to learn a new technique. Try a few inexpensive medium or larger options first like cabs or rose cut stones, semi-precious stones, found objects, or enamels. Etsy has many stone sellers that have a nice wide variety. With online sellers, be sure to read all the details carefully so you know what you are getting.

Tools for the basic kit

These tools are available from Rio Grande and other suppliers locally and online. But, if you have your own tools or want to add them to your kit, this is what I will be using. You will need access to basic jewelry working and soldering tools.

Supplies from the hardware or craft store

  • Paper and pencils
  • Safety glasses
  • Set of small drill bits
  • Fine Sharpie
  • Emery paper
  • Large craft needles or tapestry needles
  • Little paint brush for flux
  • Small hammer
  • Wet/dry emery paper, 200/400/600 grits
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