Hi Folks!
I’m afraid I have not been keeping up with my Orchids lately, but
Donna Shimazu out in Hawaii has let me know about the recent
filigree thread…I have had a nice, long phone visit with Donald
Allen, who started the thread, and look forward to hearing his
results…
I would be delighted to teach filigree workshops in the States or
Europe if anyone knows of institutions (or private parties) which
may be interested…If anyone would like further I
would be happy to send you the Filigree Workshop packet (by email)
which includes quite a few good photos. The photos include backed
and unbacked filigree as well as examples of the use of filigree
techniques in items which are not filigree. Perhaps the most
interesting is a super-miniature plique-a-jour enamel technique
which I have developed, where the frames of tiny flowers are only
0.30mm thick! I’m afraid I do not have a website to refer you
to—if anyone has any suggestions where I might post the pics for
you all to see, please let me know…
Here is the course description of the introductory workshop:
ART OF FILIGREE WORKSHOP—The Magic of Metal Filigree is the only
metal technique which has been practiced throughout the entire world
and over a period of three thousand years. Its universal and ongoing
appeal is probably explained by the fact that it is the technique
which most relates to those unique properties of precious metals
which enable us to end up with a final product so far removed from
the raw material as to inevitably evoke the response: “How did you
do that?!” Unfortunately, the time and skill required to produce the
intricate detail of lacy filigree work has placed it on the
ever-growing list of dying arts in today’s mass-production
economy…
Our course will concentrate on the traditional, basically unchanging
tools and techniques employed by filigree craftsmen throughout the
centuries. It will be seen that the sophistication and ingenuity of
the ostensibly ‘primitive’ techniques rival that of today’s
’advanced’ techniques, while far surpassing most modern modes of
metalwork in charm and whimsy. Each student will leave the course
with an intricate, purer-than-sterling ring which is guaranteed to
bring you many compliments…
Some of the areas covered are:
[Alloying 960 silver]
[Casting ingots]
[Wire production techniques]
Wire-drawing techniques
Wire-twisting techniques
Binding, annealing, and cutting techniques
Making of granules
Decorative wire-shaping techniques
Assembling and binding
Powdered solder techniques
Coloring and finishing
Bye for now!
Janet in Jerusalem