Hand-Forged Jewelry and Wearables

Forging jewelry and wearables is one of the most ancient and cross cultural skills in metalwork. This class will focus on creating hairpins, brooches, pendants, bracelets, and other wearables.

In this class, you’ll learn the skills to forge some basic examples of wearables (pendants, bracelets, etc.) and think about what considerations are needed for an item to be functionally wearable and aesthetically pleasing. After that, students will be allowed to hone their skills and creativity on a personal project of their choosing (with the instructor present to assist and advise. This class will allow you to expand your horizons and play in the forge!

This is a beginner course. You will learn basic blacksmithing techniques including tapering, scrolling, bending, twisting, and finishing. It focuses on the basics of forging with an emphasis on working with thinner diameters and shorter lengths of metal. Students will also learn to connect separate components (the pin and the brooch) into one functional piece. While this requires less brute strength, students will discover that forging small can be a fussy process with its own particular challenges.

Skills and Techniques:

• Tapers
• Bending
• Scrolling
• Different decorative twists
• Forging organic forms (leaves)

Materials Fee: Included in the cost of the workshop.

Special Tools or Equipment to bring: The farm provides students with eye and ear protection, gloves, and aprons. Comfortable closed-toed shoes and street clothes are recommended. If you have forge tools you like working with, you are welcome to bring them and a water bottle to stay hydrated.