Mechanisms: Taps and Dies with Jennifer Stenhouse, February 28, 2026

Saturday, February 28, 2026
10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST 

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse 

Screws, bolts, nuts, and other mechanical cold connections create some of the most secure—and surprisingly elegant - links, hinges, findings, and attachments in jewelry. Threaded connections are widely used in mechanical fittings because they’re incredibly strong yet fully reversible. When applied to jewelry, these joints add versatility, longevity, and a touch of engineering magic to your work.

We’ll begin with a demonstration of taps and dies to create a classic barrel clasp, starting from a simple threaded rod and tube to form a screw-and-bolt cold connection. From there, we’ll explore additional threaded connection possibilities, including earring backs and stone-setting applications, before investigating a variety of ways these techniques can be incorporated into finished jewelry designs.

Demonstrations will include creating threaded rods and holes, making washers, and working with different wires and tubing. Students are welcome to work along with their own materials or simply observe, take notes, and participate in the discussion. Practice materials may include sterling silver, copper, or brass.

After the class, students are encouraged to continue developing both samples and finished components for future jewelry applications. You’ll have access to the class recording for up to two months—plenty of time to revisit demonstrations and refine your skills. Pro tip: Take screenshots of details you want to remember and add them to your notes for easy reference later!

Recommended skills: Beginning to intermediate jewelry working skills. You might need the ability and tools to solder. Check out the core skills academy classes if you need a refresher on some of the basics!

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. 

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.

Materials Recommended

A small variety of wire gauges and tubing profiles affords you a broader range of experience and design possibilities. You do not need a lot of material to work with. A foot or two of different wire, tubing, or a few 2mm crimp beads make this easy!

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
• 0-16 ga sterling round wire. You can use other gauges, you just need to have a tube that has an inside diameter slightly smaller than the wire. And of course, other metal and stone settings can be added for decorative effect! I’ll be demonstrating with 19 ga because I like it for earring wires. I will also be using the 16 ga for a heavier screw demo.
• Sheet metal that is at least 20 ga, for sample making. If you want to prepare a few 1" x 1" pieces to practice with, you can make a stone setting and a couple of threaded part examples.
• Solder. I use easy paste solder and medium solder for most of this.
• A 3-5mm faceted stone, a matching stone setting bur, and a drill bit approximately 2/3 the size of your stone (for example, if you have a 3mm faceted CZ you will also need a 3mm stone setting bur and a drill bit that is about 2mm).

Tools recommended for tap and die, besides your basic jewelry tools:

These tools are available from Rio Grande and other suppliers, local and online, for your convenience. But, if you have your own tools or want to add to your kit, this is what I will be using. Reactive Metals Studio (https://www.reactivemetals.com/mini-nuts-bolts) also has a neat selection of taps and dies, along with micro-treaded parts and rods.
You will need access to basic jewelry working and possibly soldering tools.

• Micro Tap and Die set, this economy set is a good starter.
• Slide gauge
• Drill of some kind
• A set of drill bits that ranges in size from .05 to 1.7mm (or drill sizes 71-48). This is a good range example from Rio.
• Pin vise
• Bench pin
• Needle files
• Flush wire cutters
• Magnifiers or Optivisor