Join Forces, Penland School of Crafts Spring 2015 Concentration

Is there strength in numbers?  Are two heads better than one?  Find out in this team-taught investigation of joined forces and forms.  First build skills by creating multiple forms from a range of materials (steel, wood, enamel, resin) and techniques (fabrication, soldering, carving, molding).  Then use your forms as "building blocks" to explore linking systems and conceptual connections.  Whether you make wearable art or kinetic objects, the result will be more than the sum of its parts!  Open to jewelers and object makers of all levels.

Instructors

Co-instructors Julia Harrison and Janna Gregonis met many years ago when they were both studio assistants in the Penland Metals studio.  Completing the team as studio assistant will be LA-based jeweler Allison Heutsche, www.artasan.com. 

Supply List

You will receive a supply list from Penland; some tools and materials will be provided as part of your studio fee, some will be available from the Penland store, and some you will want to bring with you.  In the list below we'll go into little more detail about the supply list and try to differentiate between essential items, and those that you will only need if you are interested in the topic.  We will be covering a lot of ground and you won't necessarily be interested in it all! 

ESSENTIAL
sketchbook, mechanical pencil
eye protection, ear protection (earplugs or ear muffs), dust mask (if you wear glasses, masks that have an exhale valve may keep you from fogging up)
    -sure, the studio will have some safety stuff, but do you really want to share??
comfortable xacto-style adjustable knife handle
jeweler’s saw blades (#5, 2/0)
12X12” 20g copper sheet
silver solder (Hard, Medium, Easy)
your favorite hand tools (tools will also be available to rent or share)
your favorite materials, for example printed tin, flea market treasures, etc.

OPTIONAL Choose from among these tools/supplies according to your interests and budget
36” 20g round sterling wire for earwires, chain links, connecting wood pieces, etc.
1oz of sterling silver casting grain (or solder-free sterling scrap) for casting; there will also be bronze shot for everyone to share
assorted brass, copper, sterling, or gold sheet, wire, or tube
assorted stones
18g nickel silver wire for making the stems on your own brooches; wire is great to have for large or oddly-shaped brooches but standard pre-cut pin stems will be available at the shop
clear borosilicate glass rods - 2mm, 3mm for making small glass components such as links and hooks
Grobet-brand cuttlefish bone for casting (these are higher quality than pet-store cuttlefish bone); some will be available at the shop
pigments (watercolor, old eye shadow, glitter powdered pigments, spices, etc) for staining wood and coloring resin
vitreous enamel
blue carving wax - sheet, tube, scrap for carving models
carving tools

Suggested Reading

Here are a few books that might help to get you geared up for the workshop.  
Color : A Natural History of the Palette and Jewels: A Secret History, Victoria Finlay
What it Is and Picture This, Lynda Barry
Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
Creativity: the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Imagery 

There is also a Pinterest page (http://www.pinterest.com/jannagregonis/penland/) where we encourage you to share anything that inspires you as you prepare for the class.