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AUGUST 10-16, 2026 WILDACRES - WEEK 1
Gail Thayer - ALL ABOUT TITANIUM
Titanium is a lightweight, inexpensive, hypoallergenic and very strong metal that can be anodized to a beautiful array of colors. This makes it perfect for jewelry and other decorative projects.
In this workshop you will learn to texture, roller print, cut, anodize, engrave and finish titanium to create earrings, pendants, or whatever you want. In addition, I will cover cold connections (riveting and jump rings) so you can connect your pieces.
I will bring texturing and finishing tools, steel plates for roller printing, disc cutters in many shapes and sizes and anodizing equipment and supplies. I will also bring my Cricut which we will use to engrave images on anodized titanium.
This workshop is loads of FUN and appropriate for beginners. No metalsmithing experience is required.
The total fee for the class is $100 which includes:
Two 6”x6” pieces of titanium sheet
Attachments for the flex shaft – brushes, drill bits, diamond burs, sanding discs
Small binder clips
Blade Butter
Small wood block
I will have additional materials for sale: titanium sheet and wire, findings, saw blades, drill bits, etc. Also silver rivets, pearls and beads for earring drops.
All the tools you need will be available in the studio. However, if you have the following tools and wish to use your own, you can bring items from the list below. You do not have to purchase these for the workshop.
Steel block
Coarse file like one sold at Home Depot
Saw frame and 2/0 or 3/0 blades
Riveting hammer and/or tack hammer
Flex shaft or mini-motor. There are flex shafts available at Wildacres but there may not be enough for all students to have one for their personal use. Please bring one if you can.
We will have a variety of disc cutters in the studio: round including up to 1 7/8”, rectangle, oval, and teardrop.
I am bringing two Cricut Makers so we can engrave on anodized titanium. Also a band saw for anyone who wants to cut out larger pieces of titanium.
Gail Thayer gailthayer@hotmail.com 727-337-3446
Lab Fee: $100
Estimated Materials Cost: $0
Prerequisites: None
Bio:
Gail Thayer
I grew up in Pennsylvania around the Amish, lived in Maine for 30 years and now live in Tampa Bay. I have a math degree and toiled in government administration and management for 25 years. Now to the important stuff about me.
I have always made things. Growing up I became an accomplished seamstress and did beading. As an adult I continued sewing, did more complicated beading and then became a glass bead maker. When we moved to Florida in 2010 I found an art center with silversmithing classes which I initially took to develop new ways to use my beads. There I discovered fabrication, wire work, cabochons and faceted stones and I was hooked. Through all these design, color and workmanship were always important.
I have studied with many artists learning new techniques. I especially enjoy combining these techniques to develop designs and ways of doing things that are unique to me. I cannot imagine not being a maker.
And I love to teach! I believe that art and making feed the soul and should be accessible to everyone so my workshops are designed for success and fun.
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