Wildacres Aug 23-29
Metal Mania
  with Cindy Moore 
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

We will explore a number of techniques using a variety of tools including one of my favorites the Rolling Mill and also several specialty tools I designed and created for metalsmithing. Spinner Rings, Air Chased bracelets and earrings, riveting and Wire Weaving are some of the things we will be covering. We will be covering tool and workshop safety. Time permitting, we may add more.

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Prerequisites:   Basic Metalsmithing is Helpful

Lab Fees:           $90

Material Fees:   est. $50 - $150

Wildacres Aug 23-29

Silver II - Filigree

  with Jason Hamilton

Class is designed to introduce and explore the history and origins of filigree and how its changed through time. Then we'll explore where students would like to take it next. Students will make filigree wire and incorporate it into a piece of jewelry of their choice. Once we've determined a students skill and comfort level, we'll build on their abilities and desires, with challenging projects to help bring their visions to reality. There will be several projects provided and many others available. My classes are never dull and packed with high learning and a heaping portion of fun and levity. Kit Cost will be about $75+ and will have everything you'll need.

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Prerequisites:   Silver I

Lab Fees:           $75

Material Fees:   $0 - $200

Wildacres Aug 23-29
Wire
  with Rowan Morgan
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

Students will enjoy a fun-filled week while learning the techniques and skills necessary to make their own wire wrapped jewelry. All that will be necessary to become a good wire artist after the class is over will be practice, practice, practice. Students will be making bracelets, pendants, rings, earrings, and other project as time allows using mostly square half-hard wire. Tools kits will be available for use in class for those who do not have tools.

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Prerequisites:   None

Lab Fees:           $30

Material Fees:   est. $100 - $200

Wildacres Aug 23-29
Casting
  with Bill Harr
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

This class will teach silver casting for beginner and intermediate silversmithing.  The emphasis will be on production centrifugal casting, meaning techniques for high reliability.  The class will teach centrifugal and vacuum casting, wax modeling, sprueing, investing, burnout, casting, finishing and polishing, rubber mold making and wax injection.  Steam casting will be covered if there is interest.  Waxes will be available, and students will learn to inject their own.  We will not spend much time on wax model making, but students will have that opportunity.  Students will learn to make cast silver embellishments for their silversmith pieces.  Students may bring items they wish to make molds of..

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Prerequisites:   None

Lab Fees:           $100

Material Fees:   est. $100 - $ Wow

Wildacres Aug 23-29

SW Silver

   with Morning Sherrod

(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

ou will learn how to make and apply features, flowers, thunderbirds, and other Indian-type motifs.  Also we will be doing castellated bezels, shadow box stone settings, as well as stamping that will be used in rings, bolos, and bracelets. The instructor will provide the educational materials, tools, stamps, and all consumables that are needed.  You may bring your own stamps, tools, and designs.  I will have for purchase turquoise, varisite, variquoise, chrysocola, parrot wing jasper, and Sonoran sunset at market prices.

Optivisors are necessary and closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Long hair should be worn up or back.  Come and learn this popular style in a fun and self-paced environment.

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Prerequisites:   Three Silve I Classes

Lab Fees:           $150

Material Fees:   est. $200 - $250

Wildacres Aug 23-29
SpecialProjects
  with Jeff Sheer
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

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My class has been called by many names throughout the years but has always had the same intent: To make something you are proud of and have fun doing it. This class is “Advanced” in that I would prefer that students have a basic understanding of the craft. After taking one of the excellent beginning classes the Federation offers most people want to learn more but might not be sure what direction to go in. Most have a few unfinished projects in their tool box that need a technique or two in order to finish them. Finishing these pieces or starting something from scratch is where this class comes in.

Prerequisites:    Depends on projects selected

Lab Fees:            $65

Material Fees:    est. $0+

Wildacres Sept 13-19
Casting
with Bill Harr
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

This class will teach silver casting for beginner and intermediate silversmithing.  The emphasis will be on production centrifugal casting, meaning techniques for high reliability.  The class will teach centrifugal and vacuum casting, wax modeling, sprueing, investing, burnout, casting, finishing and polishing, rubber mold making and wax injection.  Steam casting will be covered if there is interest.  Waxes will be available, and students will learn to inject their own.  We will not spend much time on wax model making, but students will have that opportunity.  Students will learn to make cast silver embellishments for their silversmith pieces.  Students may bring items they wish to make molds of..

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Prerequisites:   None

Lab Fees:           $100

Material Fees:   est. $100 - $ Wow

Wildacres Sept 13-19

Gem Trees
with Jerri Heer

This class will start with the basic skills of gem tree making and graduate to an exploration of multiple styles and advanced designs of truly beautiful and species-specific trees. We will discuss, study and sample a variety of construction methods, as well as how to plan and create our own patterns from nature. Lab fee includes wire, leaf stones, bases and materials to make at least three trees of the student's choice. All instructions, patterns, tools and materials are provided.

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Prerequisites:   None

Lab Fees:           $80

Material Fees:   est. $0 - $150

Wildacres Sept 13-19

Leather
 with Tom Slavicek

You will have time to make up to 5 to 7 projects depending on size and complexity. Choices for your projects can be from the following: Make a leather shoulder bag or two, learn how to use a wood burning tool to inscribe a design onto the leather and then colorize it, depending on time make a small backpack, a couple of leather belts, wallets, passport wallet, journal, bracelets (with magic braid), belt pouch for your phone, instrument strap, lady’s wallet, clutch purse, and more. All leathers, materials, tools, and instructions are provided, along with templates.

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Prerequisites:   None

Lab Fees:           $225

Material Fees:   est. $0 +

Wildacres Sept 13-19

Gem ID
with Teresa Polly

The course will be an introduction to Gem ID.  We will cover how to use a microscope, loupe, refractometer, polariscope, dicroscope, spectrascope and specific gravity set up to identify stones.  We will start with basic mineral identification. We will cover typical stone inclusions and how to tell natural stones from lab created stones.  If you have stones you would like to ID we can work on those for show and tell.

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Prerequisites:   None

Lab Fees:           $20

Material Fees:   est. $0 +

Wildacres Sept 13-19

Electro Etching w/Silver Fabrication

   with Micah Kirby 

Class will incorporate a design driven approach using and focusing on the technique of Electro Etching. Electro Etching can create interesting textures/patterns for unique design elements in silver jewelry fabrication. Emphasis will be on, two of the Electro Etching masking techniques (paint pen and Laser toner), design and finished goods. Silver I: Electro Etching is beneficial, but not required. Silver I with soldering, is required​

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Prerequisites:   Silver I Soldering

Lab Fees:           $150

Material Fees:   est. $100 - $300

Wildacres Sept 13-19
Chain Maille
  with Marilou Hillenbrand
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

Beginning and Intermediate Chain Maille

Chain Maille is a two thousand-year-old art form originally used to create garments worn for protection by warriors from Europe, the Middle East and the Orient. Modern approaches use these classical patterns of cold-connected jump rings for sculpture and jewelry.

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In this class you will learn the basics of how jump rings are made and how to open and close jump rings properly. Jump rings and tools are supplied as part of the cost of the class. The cost will depend on the number of completed projects and what tools are purchased.  You are welcome to bring your own.

Prerequisites:    None

Lab Fees:            $25

Material Fees:    est. $200 - $300

Wildacres Sept 13-19

Silver III - Inlay II

   with Chuck Bruce

Construct an Inlayed bail & hinged inlay pendant (project 1) with piercing or raised rocks, from that is student choice. We will explore; Raised stone sections, Back Plate Piercing with Design so Inlay shows thru, Back Plate Textured & Roller Printed, Open back with inlayed stone, Extended back plate on sides with stamped/chiseled/granulation/wire work, and Stone or Wood or Wire in Stone/Stone or Wood in Metal/Stone or Wood or Wire in Wood.

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Prerequisites:    Previous Silver I Class skills are helpful, but not required.

Lab Fees:            $195

Material Fees:    est. $100 - $300

Wildacres Sept 13-19
Metal Mania
  with Cindy Moore
(Wait List Only, Please Contact Registrar)

We will explore a number of techniques using a variety of tools including one of my favorites the Rolling Mill and also several specialty tools I designed and created for metalsmithing. Spinner Rings, Air Chased bracelets and earrings, riveting and Wire Weaving are some of the things we will be covering. We will be covering tool and workshop safety. Time permitting, we may add more.

​

Prerequisites:   Basic Metalsmithing is Helpful

Lab Fees:           $90

Material Fees:   est. $50 - $150