Alternative Stone Setting: Fancy & Fragile with Jennifer Stenhouse, August 2, 2026

Saturday, August 2, 2026 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm, PDT

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

Finding new and creative ways to set stones can be tricky, especially when you are working with setting materials that are unusual, fragile, and extra fancy! If you are craving the opportunity to work with setting something delicate and treasured, this is for you! Let's find some new ways to set your alternative materials that will show them off while supporting them securely. Jennifer will walk you through a series of steps to design the perfect constructions for your work using metal sheet and wire. She will also show you how to brainstorm answers through models and other materials.

So bring your treasures, problem settings, and fragile parts that may need something besides a bezel or prong to hold it in place, and we will take it from there to create something totally new and different for your work. 

All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. The Zoom link, handouts, video(s), and other important information can be found by clicking on the individual class link on the "My Courses" page. The Zoom link and handout (if any) will be available 24 hours before the class starts.

You also get 1 free session of Open Studio Access (OSA) in the month following your class. The Zoom link can be found on the course video access page.

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

Supply List for Students

Use the links below to purchase any supplies you don't already have for your class. 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 small variety of wire gauges, sheet metal, and tubing profiles affords you a broader range of experience and design possibilities. You don't need a lot of material to work with. A foot or two of different wire, tubing, and a few crimp beads make this easy! We will also be discussing a number of adhesives that will help connect your objects.
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.

Metal options:

• Crimp beads (fits 18-20 gauge wire)
• Tubing, 2mm, one foot 
• Half-round wire is a great option for making bails. The size will depend on the size of the pendant you are working with.
• Double half-round wire. This is great for creating rabbit ear bails. Again, the gauge depends on the size of the piece.
• 20-16-gauge sterling round wire. You can use other gauges, you just need to have a tube that fits the wire inside. And of course, other wires can be added for decorative effect! I’ll be demonstrating with 19-gauge because I like it for earring wires. I will also be using the 16-gauge for a heavier joint demo.
• Solder of your choosing.

Recommended Tools:

• Torch to solder
• Tweezers to pick up wire
• Slide gauge
• Drill of some kind
• #70 Drill bits for 22ga size hole
• Small round/ball bur (5.-1mm)
• Pin vise
• Bench pin
• Needle files
• 6” half-round file
• Flush wire cutters
• Magnifiers
• Magnifier or Optivisor 

Supplies from the hardware or craft store:

• paper and pencils
• Safety glasses
• Set of small drill bits
• Pack of craft needles
• Large craft needles or tapestry needle
• Little paint brush for flux
• Emery paper
• Wet/dry emery paper, 200/400/600
• Fine sharpie