Silver Surfaces

(Reticulation, Granulation and Keum Boo)

This course will introduce students to three techniques of surface embellishment that are made possible by the working properties of silver itself: reticulation, granulation and keum boo. The compelling surface textures of reticulation and granulation and the touches of gold from keum boo may be used to enliven many kinds of jewelry. These techniques can be used together or separately to create unique wearable objects such as beads, pendants or broaches. This course is open to both beginning and advanced students.

Lesson Plan:

1^st day: Presentation on the histories of the three techniques and examples of how they have been used. Students are introduced to the working properties of silver alloys and the interaction of pure silver with high karat gold. Demonstration of ingot casting (for creation of the reticulation metal) and reticulation process itself. Students prepare metal for reticulation and granulation by casting alloy ingots and rolling sheet metal.

2^nd Day: Demonstration of granule formation and fusing to prepared surfaces, both smooth and reticulated. Demonstration of keum boo handling and adhesion. Students are encouraged to make several test pieces in each technique.

3^rd Day: Demonstration of sheet metal fusing for the creation of granulated silver beads. Instructor will work with students who will design a piece of jewelry using one or more techniques. Finishing considerations for these techniques will be discussed.

4^th day: Students work towards the creation of at least one piece of jewelry with help from instructor.

5^th day: Completion of jewelry, group discussion and presentation.

Ana M. LOPEZ

Ana M. LOPEZ is an Assistant Professor, teaching Metalsmithing & Jewelry as well as History of Crafts at the University of North Texas. She holds an MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and an MA in the History of American Decorative Arts from Parsons School of Design & The Smithsonian Associates. Her creative work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and includes a commission for the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Recent exhibitions include Hybrid Artifacts at Goldesberry Gallery, CraftForms 2011 at the Wayne Art Center and Co:Operation Tableware at Fancy Gallery. She is also the author of the reference book Metalworking Through History: An Encyclopedia, published in the Spring of 2009 by Greenwood Press. Ana currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

www.anamlopez.com

*  The fee includes the usage of tools and studio equipment.

** The amount of deposit to be paid is €200

***  The Glass Furnace reserves the right to cancellation of classes. In that case, the course fee will be refunded. 

****  Please contact Umut Demirgüç for more information regarding this workshop: umut@glassfurnace.org