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The Art of Affordable Gold
Instructor
Tonya Davidson
Saturday - Sunday
October 7-8, 2023
9:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT
2 Day Workshop
$325
Class Description
Gold. Fun. Fusing. Surface manipulation and Texture.
In this workshop you will inspired by a variety of techniques allowing you to use gold affordably. We will demystify alloying gold and using it in a way that is both economical and with unique textures and lines. Students will learn to design, create, and process plan out a variety of techniques to execute their masterpiece.
I invite you to come learn to do basic fusing, confident torch and flame control, soldering setups, bur deformation, and how to use gold in several ways that are both affordable and fun. My goal is to provide a knowledgeable and encouraging environment that opens the doors to empowered fun in the studio while elevating your skills.
You will receive:
access to a private Facebook group prior to and after class. Get to know your fellow students and make new connections. I know that the best part of class is meeting others, and I like to help facilitate this for online classes. Also I know that we are all incredibly busy and sometimes we can’t practice a new technique for awhile. This will provide a life line for later when you need it.
30 days access to the recordings
PDF handouts
Skills we will cover:
Alloying gold and understanding how to do the math to determine the alloy you want. We will cover where to buy gold the least expensive way and what you’ll need to make the alloy. I will demonstrate alloying 18kt in case you wish to use that as your gold for the bimetal.
We will cast an ingot, roll out the metal, make it into bimetal doublée (laminated gold to sterling), create texture and patterns through the gold and form/fabricate it. I will also demo how to use other gold materials such as paintable gold and other fused gold materials/techniques. Because this is a technique class not a project class I will show you several samples, and of course, demo with a project.
There will be many other tips and tricks shown and even some bonus demos as time allows.
We will discuss this in full detail before the Oct 7th via a private Facebook group in which you will have my mentorship for 6 months after class. We will also discuss tools and materials 2 weeks prior to the 7th.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Artist Assistant Sabrina Lin at sabrina@metalartsguildga.org
CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? WANT TO REVIEW WHAT YOU LEARNED?
A recording of the workshop will be available to all participants for 30 days following the workshop.
Prerequisite
Basic torch experience
Materials, Supplies & Tools
SUPPLY KIT:
The kit is optional and will be available for order no later than August. You can opt out of the kit if you want to obtain your own materials, however I will provide divided up amounts of gold and materials to make it more cost efficient for everyone using the least amount of materials. If you decide to use your own gold, you will want to acquire 3-5gms of 24kt or fabricated gold sheet. You will also want to purchase some Accent Gold for Silver and Keum Boo if you want to try that as well. If you get the kit it will include a smaller portion of all the golds and less for you to pay for out of pocket.
We will cover all the tools that I will be using and demoing with in case you want to obtain those as well.
If you want to learn to alloy and cast your own gold, you will need access to a rolling mill. This is a tool that you will want to have any time you are working with gold.
If you don’t have a rolling mill, you can still take this class. I will just have you buy a 1”x 1” piece of fabricated gold (currently running around $170 at the $1740 gold market). If you choose to buy 3gm of casting grain to roll your own, you will need around $200. This will make quite a lot for many projects.
TORCH RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is preferred that you have a reducing flame torch like the German Blowtorch, the EZ Orca, or even an acetylene ambient air torch for the fusing which provides a bushy billowy flame. You will also need a torch for basic soldering (any of the above will work just fine).
The German Blowtorch is an amazing torch, and it runs off a 1lb propane camping tank. It does require a disposable regulator for gas. If you buy one, contact me to guide you through what to buy.
The EZ Orca is also run off a 1lb propane tank and it comes with a regulator. These torches are needed to be able to do granulation or reticulation so you can get lots of use from them.
SUPPLY LIST:
The tools and materials list to be sent to you after you register for the workshop.
Class Dates
October 7, 2023
October 8, 2023