Bezel Setting Like a Pro
Thursday, February 13, - March 6
1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern
(4) 1 hour Sessions Live and Interactive Online on Go to MeetingBeginners - Advanced
A fantastic stone needs a fantastic setting and in this workshop, that’s exactly what you’ll learn to make. The key to a professionally set stone is with good craftsmanship and a clean, and well-finished bezel. During the class, you will learn design concepts surrounding the creation of a bezel for a stone of your choice using fine silver bezel wire. The bezel will be attached to a piece which has been designed and fired first. Afterward, you will attach the bezel to the rest of your piece and prepare for a second firing. Finally, the stone will be set and ready for the final touch. The result will have people wondering, “How did you do that?” So come and join me, and you too will be setting stones like a pro.
Bezel Setting Like A Pro with Holly Gage
The Online classes are live and interactive with Holly Gage on the Go To Meeting platform. All you need is a camera on your computer or phone.
- Prior to class, approximately a week before class, I will send you a PDF file of the lesson. (Please keep this for your eyes only due to copyright)
- Students will receive a link to a Go to Meeting (no account needed) and should arrive 15 mins. prior to the start of the first class. (I'm in PA eastern standard time)
- During class I'll talk about design and demo major steps
- You can ask any applicable questions you need during class.
- If you need to try something while I'm there to watch, no problem.
- If you miss a class, bring any creative development homework to the next session.
- Please take progress picture(s) of your piece. I will have a Private board for you to upload the pictures, so we can all view it, this way I can reference it, or point to it during our session to describe what needs to be done next. Please send this creative development homework it at least 30 mins. before class if not sooner -- stopping to upload pictures disrupts class time.
- Holly Gage cannot be held responsible for technical difficulties arising bad internet connections. You should have a camera on your computer to participate. Other people on your personal network may also impede the session, so it is recommended that only one person in your household should use the network at a time. Headphones are recommended.
- If technical difficulties prevent an individual from communicating during the group session or impedes an entire session, I will communicate with that person after the session to rectify the problem. If technical difficulties disrupt the entire session, make up time shall be added to the end of the sessions.
To prepare ahead for class, bring a stone or glass cab (approximately 15 mm – 30 mm) Faceted stones, cabs or glass cabs welcome – please stay away from irregularly shaped stones until you gain confidence and experience with this technique.
- Cabochon, 15 mm and up
- Fine Silver (Art Clay Fine Silver is my favorite)
- Art Clay Paste® type — brand specific, must be this brand, it is compatible with all fine silver brands
- Glycerin
- Fine Silver Bezel Wire —must go just above the curve of the stone or just above the height of a flat stone. Too high is better than too low. 26 – 30 gauge. (Up to a 15 mm stone, use a thinner gauge wire such as a 30 gauge. Larger stones use a thicker gauge wire such as 26 - 28. All, however, will work),
- 1/8 thick foam paper sponge applicator,
- Black Sharpie® Fine Point Marker
- 400 grit sandpaper
- 3 M polishing Papers®
- Polishing cloth or pad
- Bench Block
- Nylon, Plastic or Rawhide Mallet
- Rotary tool Eve® Rubber Polishing Wheels and Knife-edge for Silver, Black (coarse), Blue (medium), Pink (fine) with mandrel for rotary tool
- Barrel-shaped Diamond Bur
- 3M Radial Bristle Brushes 400 grit to fine
- Tweezers (Cross-lock Optional)
- Flat, round, and chain nose pliers
- Flush cutters
- Basic Metal Clay Tools, and Textures
- Burnisher or bezel rocker
- Torch or Kiln and vermiculite
(25 g size restriction with torch use)