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Russian Filigree Workshop
Learn the secret of Russian filigree, the technique of tension fitted, open back filigree. Through extensive demonstrations and hands-on exploration, you will learn how to make delicate scalloped wire, create a pendant and a finger ring, and begin a bead. Discover the necessary steps and tricks to ensure success and fun through this exquisite technique.
Also included in the workshop will be discussions and demonstrations of Victoria’s contemporary sculptural jewelry and functional objects and other three-dimensional possibilities with the process. Those familiar with the technique through Victoria’s Russian Filigree DVD will have the opportunity to work on more advanced projects.
Russian Filigree is taught as a 2, 3, 4, or 5 day workshop. The above description is for a 2-day workshop. The 3-day workshop includes a large hollow Russian filigree bead project. The 5-day workshop includes the bead and a second type of ring.
Level: Basic metalsmithing skills, students must know how to solder with a torch. Experience bending wire is helpful, but no filigree experience is required.
Studio requirements: sturdy tables or benches, at least 4 air acetylene torches, at least one flat or combo rolling mill, 4 flex shafts.
High Relief Eastern Repoussé Workshop
Learn the high relief hammered techniques of chasing and repoussé, used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Scythians, and Celts, and which is little known in the West. Participants will create at least 2 pieces suitable for pins or pendants while learning the secrets of achieving multiple levels of detailed relief with unsurpassed height and depth.
No tool making required! Victoria will provide sets of tools for use during the workshop that were Swiss machine replicated from her own.* She will also provide information on tools making for students interested in making their own tools and stamps, but the class time will be devoted to doing repoussé.
High Relief Eastern Repousse is taught as a 2, 3, 4, or 5 day workshop. The above description is for a 2-day workshop. The 3-day workshop includes a repousse ring. The 4-day and 5-day workshop includes a ring plus one to two extra projects.
Level: Basic metalsmithing skills, students must know how to solder with a torch. No previous experience with repoussse or forging is necessary.
Studio requirements: sturdy tables or benches, 3-4 air acetylene torches for annealing
*Tools are available for purchase for $215./set at the end of class. There is no charge for their use during class.
All Chained Up Workshop
Through demonstrations and individual coaching, participants will learn one of Victoria’s original fused chain patterns, the Vertebrate or the Side Weave Mesh, appropriate for bracelets and necklaces for both men and women.
All Chained up is taught as a 1-day and 1 chain pattern workshop in conjunction with another topic or as a 2-day workshop with 2 chain patterns taught or 1 chain pattern and a wire granulation clasp.
Level: Basic metalsmithing skills, students must know how to solder with a torch. No previous experience with chain making is necessary.
Studio requirements: sturdy tables or benches, air acetylene torches with a ratio of 1 torch for each 3 students.
Granulation Ring Workshop
In this intensive two-day workshop, learn to fuse wire and granules of sterling and 18K in the manner of the ancient Etruscans, Egyptians, and Greeks to create patterns traditional or contemporary while making a small pendant and a ring. This easy method gives great immediate gratification with very little clean up! Extend your design possibilities for many other projects. Victoria has been featured on Home and Garden Television’s show, That’s Clever, demonstrating her unique approach to this technique.
The Granulation Ring Workshop is taught as a 2-day workshop.
Level: Basic metalsmithing skills, students must know how to solder with a torch.
Studio requirements: sturdy tables or benches, at least 4 air acetylene torches.
Embellished Rings Workshop
The desire to encircle the fingers with symbols of loyalty, wealth, and power is an ancient tradition dating back thousands of years. They are the most personal and most coveted of adornments. Through extensive demonstrations and hands on exploration students will learn the techniques, and most importantly the many many tricks, for making exquisite ancient style rings. Projects can include reversible rings with rotating bezels, intaglio style seal rings, drusy rings, dinner rings, and hidden compartment “poison” rings.
Two 1-day ring workshops may be combined to create a 2-day workshop or a 1-day ring workshop can be scheduled in conjunction with another type of 1-day or 2-day workshops such as All Chained Up, Russian Filigree, or Eastern Repousse.
Level: Basic to intermediate metalsmithing skills, students must know how to solder with a torch and fabricate a silver or gold bezel setting.
Studio requirements: at least 4 air acetylene torches, flat or combo rolling mill.
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Secret Treasures: Amulets & Lockets Workshop
Drawing on a variety of fabrication and surface embellishment techniques, Victoria takes lockets into new dimension. Through demonstrations with a variety of tips and a highly creative approach to hollow construction, students will make 1-2 different types of hinged amulets or lockets.
Embellishment techniques demonstrated may include stamping/chasing, roller printing, wire granulation, kum boo, and surface treatments to speed up clean up.
The Secret Treasures: Amulets & Lockets Workshop is taught as a 2-day or a 3-day workshop.
Level: Intermediate metalsmithing skills, students must know how to solder with a torch and fabricate a silver bezel setting.
Studio requirements: at least 4 air acetylene torches, flat or combo rolling mill