Filigree Rings
Advance your skills in making filigree jewelry with Canadian Filigree Artist Milt Fischbein! Building on your filigree basics, Milt will teach you the fundamentals of making filigree rings and then go into various methods of creating rings. At the end of this workshop you will have created 3 different filigree rings and will have learned the skills to create many more filigree ring designs.
Filigree is an ancient technique that involves the creation of lace-like silver jewelery out of fine silver wires. Using basic tools, beautiful objects are made by twisting and curling fine silver threads and soldering them into carefully crafted frames.
In this interactive workshop you will be introduced to several different techniques for making filigree rings, including an adjustable band ring, a filigree style twisted band and a “petite” filigree ring. You will learn the basics of several ring designs and have the freedom to design your own rings during the workshop, using these techniques.
Techniques that you will learn include:
- Design basics for making several styles of filigree rings, including an adjustable band ring.
- Correct types of filigree wire, round wire and square wire to use to make different ring designs
- How to incorporate faceted gemstones and cabochon stones into your ring designs
- How to make a tube style setting for a round faceted gemstone
- How to tube set a round faceted gemstone using traditional setting tools as well as a bezel punch
- Short refresher on how to make your filigree wire
This course is available as an in-person workshop or live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
For this course, students have the option of working either online from their own home studios or working at Silvera Jewelry School. Each bench is equipped with a phone mount so that you can recieve detailed instruction and feedback as you progress through the workshop. An assistant will also be at the school to answer questions. Milt will be teaching from his home studio in Canada.
A handout is included with the class. A pdf of the handout is sent to students before the first day of class.
Recordings of this class are available for 30 days from the final class session.
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.
In person students will also receive a kit of the materials needed to work on the techniques in this class.
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 in your registration confirmation email. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- Torch and Soldering set up
- Ceramic honeycomb soldering block with pins
- Rolling Mill (to roll out the filigree wire. If students do not have a rolling mill, they can buy a kit of pre-rolled wire from the instructor. Just contact him after registering)
- Flex Shaft with #30 handpiece
- Filigree Tweezers – Two pairs, Type 00 and Type 3
- Solder application tool or similar
- Soldering Tweezers Type MM or AA or 00
- Flush cutter – Light duty
- Flush cutter – Medium duty
- Digital Caliper
- Steel Bench Block
- Small crowbar (12”)
- Sturdy Vise
- Two screwdrivers of any type
- Ring Holder
- Steel Ring Mandrel
- Nylon or Rawhide Mallet
- Half round pliers
- Flat File
- 4mm Setting bur
- 4mm round bur
- Chain Nose Pliers
- Flat Nose Pliers
- Ruler – 6” steel
- Cell phone with camera
- Stainless Steel binding wire 0.4 mm
- 26ga fine silver round wire
- Sterling silver round wire- 18, 20, 22 ga
- Sterling silver square wire- 16,18 ga
- Sterling jump rings
- Tube or tube setting
- 4mm faceted stone
- 6mm cabochon stone
- 6mm bezel cup
- Paste solder
- Hard and Medium Solder
- Ruler
- Bench pin
- Saw frame and blades
- Chain nose pliers
- Brass brush
- Safety Equipment as required ie Dust Mask, safety glasses, natural fiber clothing etc
A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Basic metalsmithing skills, including previous experience with fabrication, bezel setting, and soldering is required. Prior experience with making filigree is required, like
successful completion of Filigree 1 - Introduction to Filigree, or an equivalent filigree class with an experienced instructor such as Victoria Lansford or Valentina Caprini.
Instructor:
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.
We remain committed to keeping everyone as safe as possible while continuing to move forward and adapt to the current circumstances for our in person classes and open studios.
We recommend that in person students be vaccinated, but it's not required.
Face masks are encouraged while at the school, but no longer required. Students must bring a particulate face mask (N95, KN95, KF94 or similar) to protect against dust and particles when needed and required during class work time.
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.