Copper Mesh Magic Sculptural Forms, 
Containers & Wearable Objects with Jennifer Stenhouse, Sept. 19, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026 
9:00 am - 1:00 pm PT

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

Some of the most exciting materials in the jewelry studio are also some of the most overlooked. Copper mesh is inexpensive, readily available, and incredibly versatile. Yet mesh can be transformed into elegant jewelry, sculptural forms, tiny containers, and lightweight hollow objects using the tools you probably already have in your studio. In this live online workshop, Jennifer Stenhouse of Little Metal Foxes will show you how to unlock the surprising potential of this humble material.

Students will learn how to cut, shape, fold, dome, and sculpt copper mesh into strong three-dimensional forms using simple hand tools and basic soldering techniques. We’ll explore ways to stabilize structures through soldering and cold connections, create hollow and container forms, reinforce edges, and combine multiple layers to build both organic and geometric designs. Jennifer will share practical tips for controlling the material, creating clean finishes, increasing rigidity without adding unnecessary weight, and developing freeform shapes that would be difficult—or impossible—to create from solid sheet metal.

These techniques create beautiful finished jewelry and sculptural objects on their own, while also providing an excellent foundation for artists who may later wish to explore surface techniques such as enameling. By the end of class, you’ll have a collection of construction methods that can be adapted to earrings, pendants, brooches, vessels, and small sculptural forms—all while working with an affordable material and the tools already sitting on your bench.

Whether you’re looking to expand your design vocabulary, create lightweight wearable art, or simply discover a new favorite material, you’ll leave inspired by the creative possibilities hidden within a simple sheet of copper mesh.

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:

• 40–100 mesh copper screening; one square foot is enough for class
• fine woven copper mesh
• expanded copper mesh (optional for experimentation)
• 18 - 24 ga copper wire
• Binding wire

Basic jewelry hand tools:

• jeweler’s saw
• bench pin
• flush cutters
• shears
• needle nose pliers
• round nose pliers
• flat pliers
• duckbill pliers
• sanding sticks
• steel block
• chasing hammer
• rawhide mallet
• burnisher
• torch
• soldering pad (solderite, charcoal, fire brick)
• solder (hard to easy)
• flux
• pickle (SpareX, citric acid)

Forming Tools

• dapping punches
• dapping block
• bracelet mandrel
• ring mandrel
• nylon forming tools
• wooden dapping tools
• stakes (optional)
• Optional Studio Tools
• flex shaft
• sanding drums
• polishing wheels
• texture hammers