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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 2019 July 30- Aug 6, 2019 Phoenix / Scottsdale AZ
Over now. A good time was had by all and a great venue. I'll post 2020 date as soon as available. Check back for new classes in 2020
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Art Retreat in the Desert. Feb 3-8 2020. Tucson, AZ during the GEM SHOW
If classes below are filled, get on the "wait List" as seats do become available
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 , Monday February 3, 2020 | 6 pm until 9 pm
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.
Qualified assistant Renee Garver will be there to facilitate
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.
Qualified assistant Renee Garver will be there to facilitate
Starry Starry Night: Fused Dust and Pebbles –
Pendant & Earrings in Argentium Silver and 18K Gold , Tuesday, February 4, 2020 | 9 am until 4:30
or
****NEW SESSION ADDED SATURDAY FEB 8TH 9 AM UNTIL 4:30 PM****
Starry Starry Nignt: Fused Dust and Pebbles
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
KISS: Keep It Super Simple Tuesday, February 4, 2020 6 pm until 9 pm
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.
Dust to Dust:
Folded, Fused, Dusted and Pinned –Argentium and Gold Ring
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 | 9 am until 4:30 pm
or
Dust to Dust
********NEW SESSION ADDED: Friday, February 7, 2020 | 9 am until 4:30 pm ******
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.
ARIZONA DESIGNER CRAFTSMAN, class held at Randolph Center, Tucson
Forged Taper and Fused Frame Reticulation
2 day workshop. March 7 & 8 9 am to 5 pm.
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.
The Makery, Bulverde Texas www.makeryarts.com
Adventures in Anticlastic Forming: Two Days with April Bower
April 24 & 25 2020 9 am to 5 pm
This is an opportunity to get a good, comprehensive introduction to the tools and skills necessary to create anticlastic forms. Best of all, the workshop has been designed so that everyone can work at their own level – you’ll need a basic ability to solder unattended and use a jeweler’s saw, but otherwise this is a workshop for all levels. As always, we’re providing everything you need to have a great time: all tools, materials, and equipment will be waiting for you here in our fully equipped studio. Just bring eye magnification and a willingness to get to work!
Please note: This workshop will require some strength and stamina for standing, holding, and hammering. Soldering will be minimal but will include small work including ear wires, posts, and pearl pegs.
Workshop
Please note: This workshop will require some strength and stamina for standing, holding, and hammering. Soldering will be minimal but will include small work including ear wires, posts, and pearl pegs.
Workshop
Caught in the Crosshairs Sunday April 26th 2020 9 am- 5 pm
Jump into foldforming, stamping, and forming with this fun cuff project from metalsmith April Bower! This one day class is filled with techniques and tricks designed to help you create dimensional, highly textured jewelry. We’ll start with copper sheet to practice making line folds and stamping texture – we’ll have plenty of stamps here for you to play with, but this is a great opportunity to bring your favorites and put them to good use! Then April will show us the best tools and methods for creating deep, fabric-like dimension in our metal before we move on to working with fine silver. Our final creation will incorporate forming techniques for substantial, textured cuffs with lots of volume and visual interest.
This is a good class for anyone interested in working with metal, regardless of experience – students will be able to work at their own level, with more skilled students having the opportunity to make additional samples and more complex shapes and forms. As always, The Makery provides everything you need to have a great time: all tools, materials, and equipment will be waiting for you in the fully equipped studio.
This is a good class for anyone interested in working with metal, regardless of experience – students will be able to work at their own level, with more skilled students having the opportunity to make additional samples and more complex shapes and forms. As always, The Makery provides everything you need to have a great time: all tools, materials, and equipment will be waiting for you in the fully equipped studio.
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
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.
Into the Curve: Synclastic Cuffs
Spend an day learning how to create easy Synclastic shape bracelets with simple handtools. Experiment with textures and simple patinas
Learn about the “April” hammer designed by me and created by NC Black Co., and used with the swedge block. You'll learn how to create synclastic formed cuff bracelets and earrings with these simple tools and complete several cuff bracelets. I’ll share with you a bunch of tricks and tips to be successful making these. I will have some April hammers for you to use if you don’t have one and some to purchase if you decide you’d like one of your own. Wood swedge blocks too.
Learn about the “April” hammer designed by me and created by NC Black Co., and used with the swedge block. You'll learn how to create synclastic formed cuff bracelets and earrings with these simple tools and complete several cuff bracelets. I’ll share with you a bunch of tricks and tips to be successful making these. I will have some April hammers for you to use if you don’t have one and some to purchase if you decide you’d like one of your own. Wood swedge blocks too.
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 .
