We will start by learning the basics of this ancient and unusual technique: how to prepare decorative wires from fine silver, how to make a soldering alloy for the powdered solder, as well as how to create special elements from the prepared wires and connect them by soldering the many layers with a soft and bushy flame.
Participants will discover the excitement of working up all the elements from scratch into an original, delicate, three-dimensional piece. It will also give them the opportunity to apply their own artistic background and skills.
Diving into the traditional and giving it a contemporary expression and shape will be a very rewarding creative journey. I look forward to accompanying the students on their journey over these five days.
Tools and Supplies
ISA supplies:
the fine/ sterling silver wire you will need for the workshop. The cost of the wire for each participant will be 65 Euros. (If you want to bring your own wire, please get back to us and we will send you a list of the lengths and thicknesses. In that case, however, it will be very important that you make sure to have the exact thickness and that all the wires are dead soft.)
Each participant will get a jar of special glue we will use, a jar is 7 Euros.
Please bring the following:
one half round needle file, one half round hand file
one pair of tweezers for soldering
one pair of narrow tweezers with needle like tips (ideally never used in flame before) - see the tweezers that are best suited, e.g. at www.goldschmiedebedarf.de (order nr. 4341)
shears or cutters for cutting thin wires
pliers: round nose, chain nose and/or flat nose pliers
small jar for the powdered solder (e.g. old cosmetic cream jar)
optional:
flat nose pliers with nylon jaws
if you want to learn how to set a stone the filigree way, bring an oval or round cabochon gemstone (min 10mm diameter)
