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Upcoming Art Workshops being taught by April Bower
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Click on Class Titles for active links to register or more info.
Register early to assure seat and to allow time for instructor to purchase supplied materials.
add yourself to wait lists if possible, seats do become available
Register early to assure seat and to allow time for instructor to purchase supplied materials.
add yourself to wait lists if possible, seats do become available
Art Unraveled 2020
July 28- Aug 4, 2020 Phoenix / Scottsdale AZ
Unfortunately this Art Retreat has been canceled. Be sure you plan on attending next year!
It's a Wrap!
Wednesday, July 29, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Learn to use the rolling mill to do the work for you when tapering a rod or heavy wire that looks completely hand forged. You can create large tapers to delicate tendrils with this technique, which can be very useful when creating your own designs.
In this session you will roller taper a 6G Argentium rod into a long taper, fabricate a wide partial band of Argentium sheet then encircle it with your forged taper to create a unique band ring. Your choices of textures, width as well as a small amount of 18k yellow gold embellishments, will make your ring uniquely one of a kind. Argentium Sterling silver will be our main metal and 18k gold makes wonderful contrasting accents.
In this session you will roller taper a 6G Argentium rod into a long taper, fabricate a wide partial band of Argentium sheet then encircle it with your forged taper to create a unique band ring. Your choices of textures, width as well as a small amount of 18k yellow gold embellishments, will make your ring uniquely one of a kind. Argentium Sterling silver will be our main metal and 18k gold makes wonderful contrasting accents.
Dusty Leaves; Argentium & Gold
Thursday, July 30, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Learn to use a combo of folding, 3-d forming, fusing a texture, and adding gold to create a pair of earrings and pendant (or suggestions for combo pieces) with rich form and texture. Working with Argentium silver and 18k gold, these skills can be expanded and incorporated into your library of techniques and your own style. We will oxidize our leaves with Goshiba, so you will get to try a new patina/oxidizer.
Assistant Renee Garver will be on board to help guide you
Assistant Renee Garver will be on board to help guide you
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Into the Curve: Synclastic Cuffs
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Check back for additional workshops in the 2nd half of 2020!
These workshops below may be available on demand.
Any upcoming scheduled dates will be listed above or you can create your own group.
Contact me for details.
Any upcoming scheduled dates will be listed above or you can create your own group.
Contact me for details.
Autumn Oaks Falling Leaves, Patina Painting on copper
Using a variety of Patina products, we will create a unique piece of wall art celebrating the coppery colors of fall on genuine copper sheet. Use of heat, patinas, dyes, & oxides and real leaf stencils, to cover a 11" x 14" cradle board with the copper for a finished piece that captures the beauty of autumn. It will be a fun, creative expression of nature you will be proud to display. Learn stencils, patinas, adhesives, sealers and finishing techniques. No previous experience required and all materials supplied. These patina painting workshops are perfect for Birthday gatherings or groups of friends, to make a very special occasion . Adults only. ( 6 week + notice)
"Silver Aspen Copper Sky" Patina Painting
It might be hot outside, but you'll feel cool creating an Aspen tree/ Silver Burch painting
on genuine copper.
Learn the art of silver leafing , and some simple tricks to give your trees a natural look,
and Gold leafing for the shimmery essence of autumn Aspen leaves.
Materials supplied to make a 11”x 14" finished piece.
Explore reactive patina on the copper for your background, then create your trees & leaves then mount your masterpiece on wood cradle board and seal for a ready to hang piece
on genuine copper.
Learn the art of silver leafing , and some simple tricks to give your trees a natural look,
and Gold leafing for the shimmery essence of autumn Aspen leaves.
Materials supplied to make a 11”x 14" finished piece.
Explore reactive patina on the copper for your background, then create your trees & leaves then mount your masterpiece on wood cradle board and seal for a ready to hang piece
Starry Starry Night: Fused Dust and Pebbles –
Pendant & Earrings in Argentium Silver and 18K Gold ,
Create coordinating earrings and pendant in Argentium Silver, known for its wonderful fusing properties, with 18k yellow gold accents. Learn how to create and successfully fuse the metal dust to create texture and dimension, contrasting with other texture and fused “pebbles” in both silver and gold. Option to set a tiny facetted stone in “star or moon” of pendant using flush set or bead set. Demos for both
Dust to Dust:
Folded, Fused, Dusted and Pinned –Argentium and Gold Ring
Fold, texture, fuse & form this Argentium silver ring using silver and 18k gold dust and 14k fused pins and bezel to your semi-customized design, adding tube setting of a faceted stone. Argentuim is known for its wonder fusing properties, and gold for timeless beauty and contrast.
Yin Yang: Reticulated, Fused, and Granulated Ring Monday Feb 3rd 9 am-4:30 pm
This ring has it all, Yin & Yang, opposite yet complimentary: Texture/ smooth, Angles / curves, High / low, light/ dark, gold/silver, soft /hard.
Using sterling for its best attributes, and Argentium for its best. Learn reticulation and depletion gilding, fusing and granulation. We will add 18k gold for luscious color and Patinate to bring out all those contrasting elements.
Using sterling for its best attributes, and Argentium for its best. Learn reticulation and depletion gilding, fusing and granulation. We will add 18k gold for luscious color and Patinate to bring out all those contrasting elements.
On the Edge ,
Learn the technique of upsetting an edge with a texturing hammer, and create the hammer as well.
In this 3 hour class you will alter a supplied cross peen hammer into a texturing hammer, then practice upsetting edges of silver strips to create a pair of Sterling earrings to wear home. If you have the soldering skills you can learn how to customize a commercial latch back, finding for your earrings or use a post/ nut.
In this 3 hour class you will alter a supplied cross peen hammer into a texturing hammer, then practice upsetting edges of silver strips to create a pair of Sterling earrings to wear home. If you have the soldering skills you can learn how to customize a commercial latch back, finding for your earrings or use a post/ nut.
KISS: Keep It Super Simple
A 3 hour challenge to take a 1″ x 6″ strip of 26G Argentium sterling and make 4 (or more if you like small) pair of earrings out of it with no waste of material. Shapes & Texture will be the focal with some forming. Sometimes you just need to create fast and simple, but these can be the beginnings of layered or embellished pieces as well.
Whimsical Shaman
Create your personal Whimsical Shaman to help guide you thru your life’s journey. In this workshop you can create a Fun Whimsical Shaman pendant in red brass and copper, bring a special small bead for him to carry or choose from some supplied.
Forged Taper and Fused Frame Reticulation
2 day workshop.
In this comprehensive workshop, we will explore the art of reticulation in silver while fusing with Argentium silver to create a jewelry piece of your choice; pendant, ring, or earrings along with your personal embellishments (i.e.: Bezel set stones, pegged pearls or dangling briolettes suggested, although Bezel setting stone setting will not be taught). Not a cookie cutter workshop...each finished piece will be uniquely yours. Learn to Roller Forge a tapered element, possibly used for bail, shank or strong design element. Emphasis on design and bails and shanks as cohesive design, rather than afterthought. Learn to melt and pour your own ingots for heavy wire tapering, or start with a length of silver wire/rod.
Argentuim silver has some wonderful properties and a few limitations. It fuses easily. Come learn some of the tricks of this metal so you can enjoy it in your studio.
Argentuim silver has some wonderful properties and a few limitations. It fuses easily. Come learn some of the tricks of this metal so you can enjoy it in your studio.
Tribal Pendant or Bracelet,
Create a unique tribal inspired pendant or bracelet with this deceptively simple, yet versatile technique. Explore shape, size, metal embellishments, and bale options, bracelet forming and shaping, as well as mastering heat balled pins and other embellishments & patina. Some soldering involved. Open to all skill levels. Beginners, as well as the more skilled, can learn techniques that can be adapted to their own style/ look . Working in copper with sterling accents. Copper will patina black beautifully for this high contrast effect. You can do both projects if pendant is simple and the combination is limited to 10 silver pins total, or there is torch time after all have finished their first piece.
Foldover Bracelets -An Anticlastic Event
Using a fusion of techniques to create a pair of 3 Dimensional , anticlastic cuff bracelets, first in copper, making use of the wonderful coloring options copper offers, and a second one in sterling / bimetal.
Learn about working with Bi-Metal, as well as texturing, burned edges, anticlastic forming and folding, soldering and patina, This workshop has it all!
Learn about working with Bi-Metal, as well as texturing, burned edges, anticlastic forming and folding, soldering and patina, This workshop has it all!
HIP TO BE SQUARE
Squared, Folded, Reticulated and Fused Ring
with Argentuim Silver and an Adjustable Shank
Control some of the chaos in the reticulation by placing folds and using Argentium silver to create a beautiful squared frame for your ring top. Add on a creative adjustable size wide squared band underneath, then an accent cab or beautiful grey pearl to finish your beauty.
with Argentuim Silver and an Adjustable Shank
Control some of the chaos in the reticulation by placing folds and using Argentium silver to create a beautiful squared frame for your ring top. Add on a creative adjustable size wide squared band underneath, then an accent cab or beautiful grey pearl to finish your beauty.
- Formed and Fabulous, Anticlastic Forming, Earrings
Burned Bi-Metal Bracelet
Burned Bi-Metal bracelets: First practicing in copper, students will heat texture the edges, learn to fold the bracelet borders, texture or form the exposed center and learn to shape the cuff bracelet. Then with confidence and gained skill, you will choose to create a second bracelet out of a silver /brass bi-metal.
Silver bi-metal is a sterling layer bonded to a brass layer. Using this product, with the silver layer exposed and touching the skin on the cuff interior, it makes a unique wearable silver clad bracelet at a much reduced cost over solid sterling silver.
Silver bi-metal is a sterling layer bonded to a brass layer. Using this product, with the silver layer exposed and touching the skin on the cuff interior, it makes a unique wearable silver clad bracelet at a much reduced cost over solid sterling silver.
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Cuttlebone Casting
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Synclastic and Anticlastic Forming
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Spiculums
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Mokume Gane'
Learn about how to use Mokume Gane' ( layered wood grain patterned metal) and experiment with patterning
" Mokume" is an art form in itself requiring serious equipment and years of study, but you can take advantage of the pre-manufactured meta l available thru suppliers Rio Grande and Reactive Metals to create luscious pieces of jewelry. Learn some tricks and tips to be successful with this metal. Make a pair of earrings and experiment on patterning your own billet of Mokume Gane' to make your own unique patterned sheet that can be used to create some things at your home studio .
" Mokume" is an art form in itself requiring serious equipment and years of study, but you can take advantage of the pre-manufactured meta l available thru suppliers Rio Grande and Reactive Metals to create luscious pieces of jewelry. Learn some tricks and tips to be successful with this metal. Make a pair of earrings and experiment on patterning your own billet of Mokume Gane' to make your own unique patterned sheet that can be used to create some things at your home studio .
