description

does it seem that most things we love are either illegal, immoral, expensive or fattening! the cost of gold and sterling silver is over the moon and the use of bone and ivory in scrimshaw jewelry is off limits. what's a person to do! this class will focus on a variety of alternative processes to achieve that very look by using copper, nickel silver and plastic to create a tiny wearable etched metal "bone" book. you will torch fire copper covers to simulate worn vermeil gold and use a wonderfully inexpensive and readily available pvc plastic material that can be carved, drilled, sawn, metal stamped, textured and aged to achieve the look of bone and ivory, we'll etch one nickel silver text page in class to demo the process and cut down on the disposal of all that etchant solution, but each student will receive a pre-etched nickel silver panel in their kit, then we'll rivet it all together using brass nails and finish our wearable book with beautiful drawn bead jump rings. Note: students will supply their own chain. All Levels.

Fe Fi Faux

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bio

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kit fee: $10   supply list

• A $10.00 material fee includes a kit with everything needed: copper sheet metal for the covers, an etched nickel silver panel, pvc plastic and finishing materials, all rivet and torch materials, wire for creating drawn bead jump rings, a handout & more.
  
• Student Supply List:
• a metal scriber tool
• a lead pencil and a few oil pencils in orange/yellow/brown-ish colors
• a small flat and/or triangular metal file (preferred) or riffler set
• 1 sheet each of wet/dry sandpaper in 320 - 400 - 600 grit
• fine tin shears and a two-hole metal punch
• jewelry pliers: one round nose, two flat nose and cutters.
• a small steel block or anvil
• a rivet hammer
• an ultra-fine sharpie, a ruler and a small disposable plastic container
  
• Optional: a few beads/charms/gears if you wish to create a dangle.
• Note: to see pictures/prices of the tools we use/sell visit our website at: www.burntofferings.com or if you have any questions please email us at: gourdart@burntofferings.com.

printable version

Opie and Linda O'Brien are mixed-media artists, authors and teachers, who enjoy pushing the envelope in myriad ways, using organic, recycled and found materials because they seem to have a voice that must be heard, a story that must be told, and a life that would otherwise be too soon forgotten. They consider themselves "caretakers of the mundane and the ordinary" and their unique offerings include jewelry, dolls, books, assemblage, collage, masks and more. They are project designers for several publishers, teach art workshops nationally, in Mexico and France and for two museums, based on many of the techniques in their book: Metal Craft Discovery Workshop (North Light 2005). Their work has been featured in over 15 books and several magazines including Belle Armoire, Art Doll Quarterly, Somerset Studio, Legacy and the Craft Report as well as art galleries, museum gift shops and both group and solo shows.  Opie, an artist an musician, attended SVA in N.Y.C., while Linda is self-taught. New York transplants, they now live in Ohio on Lake Erie with their cat Angelus and his cat Angel. For more information about the artists, visit their website at  www.burntofferings.com