Kiln Fired Mokume Gane with Eric Burris
Friday, February 21, 2025; 10:00AM - 6:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Saturday, February 22, 2025; 10:00AM - 6:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Sunday, February 23, 2025; 10:00AM - 6:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Mokume gane, or wood grain metal, is a traditional Japanese technique where multiple metals are meticulously cleaned, alternately stacked, and then heated and compressed at high temperatures. This process fuses the layers into a solid block, or billet. By repeatedly carving and reducing the billet's thickness, intriate patterns emerge, resempling wood grain. Twisting and cutting the biller further reveal hidden designs, making it ideal for creating unique ring stock.
In this workshop, participants will learn a Western-influenced approach to mokume gane by using a digitally controlled electric kiln to fuse copper and silver. You'll start by crafting your own billet, patterning it into sheet metal, and then fabricating a mokume gane ring.
Day one of the workshop covers thoroughly cleaning the metals and firing the billet. Achieving the correct temperature and firing time is crucial, so using an electric kiln with a digital controller is strongly recommended. Non digitally controlled kilns do not have the precision to guarantee good results.
Day two shifts focus to making patterned sheet metal. After cleaning and forging the billet, you'll use a belt sander or angle grinder to remove uneven edges, and a rolling mill ito achieve uniform thickness.
Day three concludes the workshop with a ring project. You'll solder a ring cut from the patterned sheet and add a thin sterling silver liner. The final steps include applying finishing techniques and a patina to enhance the design.
Techniques covered include:
- • Diffusion bonding of copper and silver
- • Programming a kiln for bonding
- • Preparation of a billet for kiln firing
- • Mokume Gane patterning
- • Seamless washer ring fabrication
- • Various metalsmithing techniques as applied to making mokume (including sawing, forging, and soldering)
This course is available as a live online class. Please check this page for times available.
Recordings of this class are available for 30 days from the final class session.
A kit of materials is $160 payable directly to the instructor.
Online students will have kits mailed to them. The instructor will contact the students directly to arrange payment and shipment.
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.
- Paragon electric kiln with Sentry digital controller or similar kiln
- Heat proof gloves
- Rolling mill (with at least 2.5” flat rollers)
- Soldering torch (hot enough to anneal a billet)
- Anvil or flat forging surface
- Forging hammer (1lb-2lb)
- Forging tongs or channel lock pliers
- Flex-shaft or bench top drill press
- Dapping block/punches
- 6” vise-grip c-clamp locking pliers with swivel pads
- Ring mandrel
- Nylon soft hammer, small
- Jeweler’s saw
- Saw blades (2/0, 1/0, 1, 3)
- Mill bastard file
- Half-round file
- Jewelry tweezers
- Solder pick
- Circle template
- Ultra-fine point sharpie marker
- Ruler or calipers with standard and metric measurements
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Particulate mask
- Simple green biodegradable degreaser
- 1 gallon distilled water
- White out or yellow ochre
- 1” masking tape
- 2 medium plastic or glass containers (12oz)
- 1 small plastic or glass container (8oz)
- Bur-life
- Medium silver solder
- Paste flux
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Students should have completed 1 or 2 of our basic jewelry courses, like Basic Jewelry 1 & 2, or Basic Jewelry 1 and Jewelry 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, or have similar proficiency and recent practice in basic jewelry fabrication skills, including soldering, sawing, filing, polishing, etc.
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.
Upcoming Schedule
| Date & Times | Register |
| Fri. Feb 21, 10AM - 6PM PT (Pacific Time), Sat. Feb 22, 10AM - 6PM PT (Pacific Time), Sun. Feb 23, 10AM - 6PM PT (Pacific Time) |