Retired - 2023 The Art of Affordable Gold

$550

Retired - 2023 The Art of Affordable Gold

Closed
Course
48 Lessons

In this class, you will be inspired by a variety of techniques allowing you to use gold affordably. This is the grand buffet of gold technique classes! Gold – Fusing – Alloying – Surface Manipulation – Textures – Keum Boo. Best tools and supplies! We will meet LIVE online 5 times, with day and evening sessions. Each session is 3 hours long with plenty of work time between classes. All classes are recorded.

Buy now

What's on the Buffet?

And what the heck do you mean by buffet?

Well, imagine this: Back in the day, I took a course in stone setting. It was like learning to set stones on a basic level for a week and then advancing my skills for another week. But let me tell you, that pavé project was just a taste of what pavé setting is all about. I wasn't quite ready to be a pro, but it helped me decide if I wanted to dive deeper into it before I committed to a 8 week course. It was a test drive!

Now, hold on tight because this class is a feast for your jewelry-making skills. I’m serving up six different gold application techniques, and we're not skimping on time to practice between demos. And here's the twist: Instead of a quick two-day class, we're spreading the fun over five classes in a month. We're going all in, diving into each technique and uncovering the "why" behind the "what."

But wait, there's more! I've got plans to offer even more in-depth technique classes to show you all the amazing things you can do with each method. But this class will get you started on creating incredible pieces that will fetch a higher price and be admired by all. And guess what? You won't have to break the bank by signing up for multiple expensive classes. I'm here to save you money, including the biggest expense of all: travel and accommodations. This class is all online, right from the comfort of your own studio!

You see, we learn better and become more efficient when we see how different techniques fit into the bigger picture. When you only know one technique, how can you be sure it's the best choice for the results you want? This comprehensive opportunity will help you connect the dots and choose the perfect technique for each project.

So, get ready to feast on knowledge, save some cash, and become a jewelry-making superstar!

What Will You Learn?

Better understanding of gold fusing and which torch to use for the desired outcome
The best flame and setup for accomplishing the task of fusing and fire gilding your silver
A demystified understanding of alloying gold…math and all! We will cover a minimum of 3 alloys…maybe more! I’ll show you an easy way to manage the casting an ingot process!
A practical and easy way to understand the role of the rolling mill in your studio for these types of projects. If you don’t have a rolling mill, you won’t need one but you can do more with one. It is a great investment and I’ll tell you why.
How to roll out the shape you want…a square shape versus a rectangle and how to calculate the size easily
Bur deformation (incising, removing material). We cover what sizes to choose, the shape, and how to use them to get the best results. This is one of my favorite texture techniques.
How to hold your work when you need to free up your hands, engrave, set stones, and how to do it quickly and cost efficiency without a lot of additional work
When to use sterling silver, Argentium and fusing silver (a proprietary silver) for the gold applications you desire (let’s make your job easier and outcome more successful)
How to use gold bezel and make your own gold bezel
Gold Bimetal Doublée (gold that is 50-75x thicker than Keum Boo fused to the surface of the silver)
Gold fused to the surface of silver
Keum Boo (make your own)
Painted and Fused Gold (Fire Gilding)
Gold Dust Texture

Should there be a bonus? Always!

If that wasn’t enough, I’m tossing in a free 2 hour class on in-depth soldering that I produced and directed. You’ll be given access prior to the first class date.

You’ll also be invited to a closed/private FB group where we will have LIVE and recorded discussions. You’ll have access to me for 6 months after class and as a class of intermediate to advanced artists, we can create a closed community to help when the need arises well after the class ends.

I hope when you have completed the class, and are done exploring the techniques, that you are overflowing with inspiration and creativity. You’ll have so many new tools in your toolbox. Which will you reach for first? I can’t wait to see!

Class Outline

Class Information

About The Class

About Tonya

Dates

Terms and Conditions

Student Release Waiver

Prerequisite Skills and Required Technology

Preview

Safety Considerations

Preview

Tools and Materials

Your Soldering Station

Pickling Station

RESOURCE LIST For The Art of Affordable Gold.pdf

Kit and Material Q&A .pdf

AAG Kit Sheet.pdf

The Art of Affordable Gold Q&A #1

Resources

Ways to save money from suppliers

How to Save Money - Codes to Use

Preview

Connect with me on FB - Our Private Group

Books that you should have in your library!.pdf

Trademark-Hallmark Rules.pdf

Time Worksheet pdf.pdf

Bonus Soldering Video

Facts About Gold and Silver.pdf

SIlver-Copper+Phase+Diagram.pdf

Argentium Fact File - 0317.pdf

Argentium 935 Pro Tech Sheet 1219.pdf

Argentium Quick Start.pdf

--Working with Argentium 940-v16-FINAL-Eid-8-1-2023.pdf

Hagstoz Part Numbers and info.pdf

How to Use and Set Up an EZ Orca Torch

Torches, Gas and Metals - What is best AAG 2.pdf

Torches, Gas and Metals - What to Use 2.pdf

How to Set Up and Use a Swiss Torch - my absolute favorite torch!

Tips about Torches.pdf

Swiss Torch.pdf

What Surface to Use pdf.pdf

How to Make Iron Binding Nests

Borax or Boric Acid.pdf

How to set up your torches - QC.MOV

Ventilation Hacks and Tank Setups

Gold Alloy Worksheet Master.pdf

Gold Alloy Prototype Worksheet.pdf

Session 1: Wednesday, July 5, 2023

The Art of Affordable Gold Session 1

Session 2: Sunday, July 9, 2023

The Art of Affordable Gold Session 2

Torches, Gas and Metals - What to Use 2.pdf

What is bimetal.pdf

Session 3: Friday, July 14, 2023

The Art of Affordable Gold Session 3

Session 4: Sunday, July 16, 2023

The Art of Affordable Gold Session 4

Keum Boo with Heat Gun 4.5x.MOV

Session 5: Sunday, August 6, 2023

The Art of Affordable Gold Session 5

Sip & Slides

FAQs

Is this a good class for a beginner?

I find that it’s hard to classify a person as a beginner or intermediate student. You might be intermediate in some areas and beginners in others. This class is for someone that has some confidence using a torch and has basic metalsmithing skills.

Take what you are ready for and let the rest go. You don’t need to master all things presented. It’s perfectly okay to take a class and be able to implement 30-40% of it and then as you practice that, you can try the remaining 60% of the material.

My best advice is to attend live classes and be engaged. Take excellent notes. Within 48 hours revisit the class or your notes. Things that do not make sense need a revisit. You’ll then have the video to watch it again. Attend the Office Hours to ask questions, post your questions on the private facebook group and try to make a little progress every day during that month.

Is this class live or pre-recorded?

It is live and recorded. Live sessions will be through Zoom. Recordings will be posted within 24 hours (or as soon as we can get them up) to the Online Learning Platform. Catch up when you can and post your questions on the FB Private Group. You have 6 months to get all your questions answered and 60 days to watch the videos as many times as you’d like.

Do you get to keep the videos? Are they downloadable?

Within 24 hours the classes will be uploaded to the Online Learning Platform. You will be able to view the classes there 24/7 for 60 days. They are not downloadable.

When are the Zoom classes?

July 5th 4-7pm Pacific Time (4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pmET, midnight London)
July 9th 12-3 Pacific Time (12pmPT, 1pm MT, 2pm CT, 3pmET, 7pm London)
July 12th 4-7pm Pacific Time
July 16th 12-3pm Pacific Time
Aug 6th 12-2pm Pacific Time

**You do not need to be present for any or all of the LIVE classes. The classes will be posted to the online learning center for you to watch anytime that is convenient for you. You’ll have plenty of time between classes to catch up and you can ask any questions on the group which I will promptly answer.

There will be additional impromptu LIVE videos and recorded videos broadcast and posted on our Facebook Group.

Is an online class as good as an in person class?

You’ll get real time live classes with the best possible broadcasting equipment including 6 high resolution, 4k, cutting edge cameras and the best mic on the market. You’ll have different views to watch because seeing my hands is as important as seeing the up close surface fusing or a solder join flowing. Often in class you can never see the details from 6-10 feet away. So in many ways an online class is better. Plus you are at your own bench or in the comfort of your own home. You’ll have all your tools and be able to replicate it better because muscle memory in your studio at your bench is superior. Watch and rewatch. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and as you review your notes, if there is a question between sessions, I’ll be on call to answer them!

What torch do you need for this class?

For fusing:

The perfect torch would be the EZ Orca Propane and Ambient Air ($141 at Otto Frei + $7 propane tank). It’s my go to torch from reticulation and fusing. If I’m not using my German BlowPipe Torch for granulating or fusing, I’m using the EZ Orca. I’ve got a video on Instagram that shows how easy it is to use. It’s portable and runs off small 1lb camping tanks that pose little to no danger in your studio.

A good second torch for this class would be the Smith Acetylene Ambient Air Torch. Not the Little Smith. This is a different torch. Although acetylene is dirty, it can be used to accomplish these techniques.

For melting gold:

It’s best if you have a oxy/propane torch like the Swiss or Little Smith with rosebud head. Or just be resolved to alloying smaller amounts of gold.

If you have acetylene, you can run a splitter to a oxy tank with a Little Smith and you’ll be able to melt large amounts of gold or silver.

Butane torches are fine for basic soldering but not for these techniques.

What tools will I need?

After you sign up, you’ll receive a comprehensive tool and supply list.

These are tools that I personally use. You might have something similar and that’s fine. You do not need to buy all the things, however I have been in so many classes where one of the tools the instructor used often was not on the list. I felt that my ability to do the task was hindered because I didn’t have it. So all my fave tools for the task will be on the list and if you want to wait to see if you want to buy it, that’s fine.

Please remember that I used to own a jewelry tool and supply company for 10 years and was a senior instructor for Rio Grande. So I feel like I have tried nearly every tool possible. I probably bought it too. I don’t recommend tools unless I know they are the best. Sometimes it an inexpensive tool and sometimes it’s costly. If it saves me time and makes the job enjoyable, it’s a good tool. I know that down the road I can sell them because good tools increase in value.

Do I have to buy a kit?

I usually don’t sell kits at classes because they are frankly time consuming to procure and assemble. There is not enough mark up to warrant doing them from a business standpoint. However I make an exception when I know that it would be so time consuming and costly for you to get the supplies from many different places and pay the shipping from so many places. So the kits will include materials and consumables that you might need. Tools are only included if I think it would benefit you.

Buying the materials for the kits is an expensive outlay of money tied up in a product that fluctuates in price. I do my best to time the purchase at the best time. I also get better deals when I am ordering 250 ounces versus you ordering 3 ounces.

So no you do not have to buy a kit, but I’ve included you in the numbers that I procured in hopes you would need one. I will let you know what’s in the kit so if you want to procure your own things you can however I can’t do partial kits unless it’s offered at the end of class.