{"product_id":"tab-construction-and-folding-techniques-for-3-d-forms-with-nisa-blackmon-3-sessions-nov-4-11-18-2026","title":"Tab Construction and Folding Techniques for 3-D Forms with Nisa Blackmon (3 sessions), Nov. 4, 11 \u0026 18, 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eWednesdays, November 4, 11 \u0026amp; 18, 2026\u003cbr\u003e1:00 - 4:00 pm, PT\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e(3 days, 2 hours per session)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructor: Nisa Blackmon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTabs are a fun and sturdy method of holding three-dimensional forms together without any need for solder (think: vintage tin toys)! They also have great decorative and textural versatility and can be adapted to any design aesthetic. If you enjoy the challenges of fabricating 3D structures, this course will really allow you to stretch those capabilities. Nisa will discuss ways to design, pattern, and use tabs structurally, aesthetically, and as a means of creating integral findings for jewelry and small objects. Key concepts and techniques will be demonstrated each week, including methods for enameling and patination of tabbed forms. Illustrated handouts and sample patterns will be provided. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStudent Level: \u003c\/b\u003eAll levels welcome; beginners should have basic sawing, piercing, filing and sanding skills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSupply List for Students\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe links below will take you to \u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRioGrande.com\u003c\/a\u003e or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Students in the \u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/rio-for-schools-students\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRio for Schools\u003c\/a\u003e program enjoy wholesale benefits for six months (instructor code = \u003cstrong\u003eRFSLMF\u003c\/strong\u003e). 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Materials\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/german-adjustable-jewelers-2-1-4-saw-frame\/110039\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eJeweler's saw frame -110039 \u003c\/a\u003eat least 4-5 inches deep. Oversized or deep-throated jeweler’s saw frame is useful if you have one, but not required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/searchresults#q=bench%20pins\u0026amp;t=products\u0026amp;sort=relevancy\u0026amp;layout=card\u0026amp;numberOfResults=36\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBench pin\u003c\/a\u003e V-block bench pin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/inside-outside-metal-ring-clamp\/113106\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRing clamp - 113106 or \u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/parallel-jaw-ring-clamp\/113969\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e- 113969\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/flat-nose-pliers\/111912\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFlat-nose pliers - 111912\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/round-nose-pliers\/111913\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRound-nose pliers - 111913\u003c\/a\u003e or bail-making pliers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/del-rey-center-punch\/118117\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCenter punch - 118117\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/chasing-hammer\/112225\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eChasing hammer - 112225\u003c\/a\u003e or other small hammer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/Rawhide-Mallet-2-oz\/112209\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSmall rawhide mallet\u003c\/a\u003e or plastic (\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/peddinghaus-nylon-head-mallet\/112013\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNylon mallet - 112013\u003c\/a\u003e, Delrin, etc.) forming hammer(s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/economy-needle-file-set-swiss-cut-2\/114257\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNeedle file set\u003c\/a\u003e, assorted shapes but especially flat, barrette, half-round, round, and 4-square\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome small twist drill bits, #60 or smaller. I most commonly use a #68 (My go-to brand is Dentsply Maillefer tungsten vanadium twist drill, 0.8 mm head with a 3\/32” shank. \u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/busch-tungsten-vanadium-twist-drills\/341586GP\/?code=341568\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRio Grande, pk of 6\u003c\/a\u003e, $10.24. A little more expensive, but they last a LOT longer, especially with the heavier shank).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/Steel-Bench-Block-4-x-4-x-34\/112570\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSteel Bench block\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible shaft or Dremel tool that will accommodate tiny sizes of drill bits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn assortment of small wooden blocks and scraps; make sure they have good, sharp, right-angled (90°) corners. Blocks don’t need to be larger than 3 inches in any dimension; a variety of small sizes and dimensions will be most useful. Small round or square dowels (1\/4”, 3\/8”, ½”), popsicle sticks, or craft sticks are also useful. Hardwoods like maple, basswood, oak, etc., are best, but pine is OK if the edges are clean and sharp. Do NOT use balsawood!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe ability to \u003cb\u003eanneal\u003c\/b\u003e may be useful for some forms, so you would need: torch, pumice pan, forceps, pickle \u0026amp; pickle pot, and copper tongs. However, it is OK if you do not have this stuff!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSafety Equipment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSafety glasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarplugs (if sawing noise is a concern)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThin latex or nitrile gloves, 1 pair – make sure they fit well and are comfortable but not floppy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConsumable Materials\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/copper-6-x-12-sheet-24-ga.-dead-soft\/132124GP\/?code=132124\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e24 gauge copper sheet\u003c\/a\u003e; some pieces at least 6-10” in one dimension. (Rio Grande sells 6”x12” sheets). Optional: other metals in 24 gauge, such as sterling\/fine silver\/argentium, red brass (jeweler’s brass) or yellow brass, nickel or aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e26 gauge sheet (copper, silver or other metals) is optional but useful for some applications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmery paper, 320 \u0026amp; 400 grit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/Laser-Gold-40-Saw-Blade-Pkg12\/110304\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eJeweler's saw blades 4\/0 \u003c\/a\u003e or\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e5\/0 jeweler’s saw blades (at least two dozen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.riogrande.com\/product\/burlife-stick-lubricant\/117003\" style=\"color: #ff7a1e;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBeeswax or bur life\u003c\/a\u003e or a candle stub or a small hotel soap bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eEnamels\u003c\/span\u003e: if you would like to try enameling on tab-constructed forms, you will need the basics: sifting enamels and\/or liquid enamels, sifters (60, 80, and\/or 100 mesh), Klyr Fire or other holding agent, paint brushes, containers for dipping in liquid enamel, tweezers, trivets, enameling fork \u0026amp; a kiln, etc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePencils, eraser, ultra-fine Sharpie marker, scissors, X-Acto knife \u0026amp; blades\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGraph paper (I use the kind with 8 squares to the inch; 1\/4\" squares are a little big. Metric with mm \u0026amp; cm will work, too)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsed manila folders or heavy cardstock, thin cardboard, etc. (to cut up and make models)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePainter’s 1-inch wide masking tape, low-tack artist’s tape, or regular masking tape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRuler with inches or centimeters or both, as appropriate for the graph paper you are using\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCircle template or drawing compass (optional)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall to medium cutting mat, if you have one\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Little Metal Foxes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46864801530009,"sku":"20261104TCF","price":168.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0468\/1672\/3097\/files\/Blackmon_Nisa.jpg?v=1715762998","url":"https:\/\/littlemetalfoxes.com\/products\/tab-construction-and-folding-techniques-for-3-d-forms-with-nisa-blackmon-3-sessions-nov-4-11-18-2026","provider":"Little Metal Foxes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}