Faculty Syllabus

Students enrolled in this course will begin to learn the foundation of metalsmithing. This includes but is not limited to, saw and pierce work, soldering techniques, ring sizing and simple stone setting techniques.

Students will learn to design and create projects based on assigned project criteria. Soldering is one of the main foundations within this course. Basic jewelry hand tools- such as the jeweler's saw, pliers, files, hammers, and the rolling mill will be used to form individual student projects. Emphasis will be placed on student’s familiarization with the flex shaft and buffing machines to finish out projects to required standards.

• Create a project showcasing the basics of sawing and pierce work into metal

• Learn to pour an ingot, shape and size a silver ring with emphasis on finishing and polishing

• Learn to efficiently solder with chip, sweat and pick soldering techniques applied to jump rings and a toggle clasp

• Create a bezel setting project with a standard round, oval or teardrop cabochon stone

This course focuses on the beginning fabrication processes for silver with the inclusion of base metals. It includes an introduction to standard hand tools, soldering and finishing techniques. Quality craftsmanship, industry standards, personal expression, design and time management will be emphasized.

Students are expected to demonstrate a knowledge of jewelry terminology and basic hand techniques by the end of the course.

Attendance is vital, as these courses are practice-intensive and require that you develop skills progressively throughout the semester. If more than 10% of the total 80 clock hours for this course are missed (8 hours or 3.2 classes) you could be dropped with a grade of “W,” or after the final withdrawal date of the semester, with a grade of “F.”

Absences will be considered 'Excused' if the instructor is notified by the beginning of the class following. 'Unexcused' absences will be more likely to result in your being dropped, although even 'Excused' absences can be a reason for withdrawal if your progress in the class is excessively hampered.

Excessive tardiness, or early departures from class, (more than 30 minutes) could be counted as absences. If you know you will be late, please notify the instructor.

Please monitor your ACC email account, as it is the official communication method for all students.

This class is an introduction to the basic techniques of jewelry fabrication. The techniques focused on are- layout, sawing, filing, polishing, soldering and simple bezel setting. Students should be able to have a basic understanding of torch control and temperature and be able to solder unassisted by the end of the course. Students should also be able to control and manipulate metal through sawing and plier work to create basic shapes.

Students take this course to:

1. Satisfy degree requirements for a certificate or an Associates of Applied Science degree in Jewelry.

2. As an introduction to learning basic jewelry fabrication skills.

Purchasing Materials-

Materials can be purchased locally at AMC Company

They are located at 2412 Greenlawn Pkwy, Austin, TX 78757, (512) 452-9765

Or

By Creating an account with Rio Grande.

Rio Discount Code:

This is the code that will give you a six month trial access to Wholesale benefits through Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. Your student Wholesale access code is RFSACC

Code Instructions

 This code enters students into a six-month trial access of our Wholesale benefits which gives them full access to our inventory (except for diamonds and moissanites), more price breaks, and some flat-rate shipping options.

1. Go to www.riogrande.com
2. Create an account or login to your existing account.
3. Under 'My account' click ‘Profile’ (desktop) or
   Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) and select ‘Account Dashboard’ -select 'Profile' (mobile)
4. In Account Profile, under the “Instructor Code” section enter your instructor code and click on "Apply" to access your Student Wholesale benefits.
5. Once the Code is entered the page will state "Student" under the Rio Grande logo.

If you are already Wholesale or RioPro the screen will remain the same.

Basic Tools-

#2/0 and #4/0 saw blades (2 packs of each) 

Hard, and Medium solder (available in sheet or wire form, I prefer wire for price and ease) 12-36" to start of each 

Flush cutters (for cutting wire solder, and more precision cutting of wires for projects) *optional*

Drill bits- #55 and #60, several of each size from AMC or one pack of each from Rio Grande

Needle file set- 6" Cut #2 from Rio or this Harbor Frieght set 

Sketch pad as needed

Recommended Finishing Tools:

While some finishing tools are available to share at the shop, students are typically required to provide their own finishing tools. These are the finishing tools I recommend from Rio, and will allow you to fully finish out your projects to the best of your ability.

Recommended finishing tools: **Updated with links**

• Split or slotted mandrel for sandpaper (Rio Grande) *these come in a pack of 6, but only 1 mandrel is needed* AMC should provide singles

• 1 x screw mandrel (Rio Grande)

• 1 x white course knife edge (Rio Grande)

• 1 x black medium knife edge (Rio Grande)

• 1 x black course cylinder (Rio Grande)

• 1 x point mandrel (Rio Grande)

• 1 x red radial wheels - 220 grit (Rio Grande) 

• 1 x red fiber wheels (Rio Grande) *optional*

If you are on a tight budget for finishing tools buy these 4-

• 1 x screw mandrel (Rio Grande)

• 1 x white course knife edge (Rio Grande)

• 1 x black medium knife edge (Rio Grande)

• 1 x black course cylinder (Rio Grande)

• 1 x point mandrel (Rio Grande)

Metal for Project 2 and 3

Ingot Pouring- .3 troy ounces (if buying locally, .3 troy ounces should be about 7 grams)

https://www.riogrande.com/product/925-sterling-silver-casting-grain/100800

Project 3- Toggle Clasp

You may purchase sterling silver for this project, or opt to work in copper. ACC can provide the copper wire for you. This is a lot of work though, so the payoff in silver is worth it if you can swing it. 

Silver purchasing-

4 ft of 14g Sterling Silver, Dead Soft Round Wire (you may also purchase copper for this project) 

https://www.riogrande.com/product/sterling-silver-round-wire-dead-soft/100304GP/?code=100314

Additional Tools that are nice to have: *optional*

Charcoal block for fusing and granules 

Soldering Pick for pick soldering and spreading

Vermiculite Soldering Brick but youre welcome to use the kiln bricks or at school as well 

The final Project will be bezel setting, but you should wait to purchase these materials until it is closer to the project time. A stone will be required (we have some dealers locally) and you can fine tune this project to your liking with materials and size. It's the big project for the semester, so a further understanding of materials and techniques are good to have before ordering materials. 

Your final grade will be based on your progress throughout the semester. Grades will be given in accordance with the following:

Productivity and Progress........60%

Each assignment has an end goal for the student to achieve. The project should be finished out to the student's best ability while learning and takes into account suggestions made from the instructor for symmetry, craft and overall execution.

Attendance........30%

The importance of attendance can not be stressed enough. It goes hand in hand with productivity. You will not be able to finish the projects if you do not attend class. However, life does happen. If a class needs to be missed please speak or email me personally about your situation. As long as all projects are fully completed a class or two can be missed, but you may not be able to get a one on one demo depending on where the class is as a whole and outside work will need to be completed.

Attitude..............10%

All individuals should show a cooperative spirit in working together and helping each other so that the collective experience will be beneficial to everyone. Cooperation with each other in a working situation is very important so that an atmosphere of learning, productivity and creativity may take place.

This course is designed to be hands-on with specific handouts for each technique. However, a few books are helpful for this course and your continuing education.

1. The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight.

2. Jewelry- Fundamentals of Jewelry by Tim McCreight

3. The Design and Creation of Jewelry (third edition) by Robert Von Neumann

These readings are not required and can be referenced during class. However, if you would like to purchase just one, The Complete Metalsmith (1) will be the most beneficial for all aspects of the jewelry industry.