Forged Fibulas
A fibula is one of the oldest styles of brooch/pin and has been in use for millennia. Created from a single piece of metal, using a hammer, fibulae can be sculptural and flowing in design as well as beautifully elegant and functional.
This course is available as an in-person workshop or live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
Fibulae were used in Roman times to hold togas closed, in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultures for kilts, wraps, and shawls. Today they are used for shawls or wraps, on hats, jackets, and in badge/medal style pins as well.
In this class, students will learn the basic methods and techniques for forging metal from a thick rod. We will be tapering the rod, twisting, flaring, curving and bending, as well as flattening the rod into a sheet surface.
You can use the same forging skills taught in this class to make rings, earrings and bracelets with similar calligraphic designs that shift seamlessly from thick to thin.
Forging is a great way to move and stretch metal without filing and with little to no metal lost. This is a valuable skill for working with precious metals, like silver and gold alloys
Students will create at least 2 forged fibulae. This class involves a lot of hammering- if you have shoulder issues or trouble holding a tool for long periods of time, this class is not recommended.
Techniques taught:
- Forging techniques: taper, knife wedge, curving
- Students practice in copper and then make a sterling fibula
- Twisting and forming the metal
- Annealing
- How to use a rolling mill for forging
- Forming the stem and clasp
- Adaptations of the fibula form
- Finishing techniques
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
A kit of materials is included with this class.
Tools.
Classes at our school include use of tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Online students will need to have their own tools (see the list of tools below). Feel free to contact us with any questions.
A full color handout is included with the class.
Create your own workbook with the beautiful handout that is downloadable for this workshop. Handouts include instructions for techniques and projects, reference charts and lots of information to support your learning.
Tools Required for Online Students
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class. (in-person students have tools to use at school)
A list of tools with links to recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- Grooving and Planishing hammer
- For this class, you need a cross peen face and a planishing face. Make sure your cross peen face has some weight to it- at least 200g.
- Anvil with horn
- Ear protection
- Bench Vise or similar
- Your bench vise needs to be secured to your work surface either via bolts or C-clamps
- Saw frame
- 2/0 saw blades
- Half round hand file
- Needle files
- Bench pin
- Scotchbrite
- Torch- large butane, acetylene/air, fuel/oxygen
- Soldering surface or annealing pan with pumice rocks
- Round/flat forming pliers
- Rolling Mill
- *If you do not have a rolling mill you can have Jenn pre-taper your rods*
A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.