Description

 

Title of class: Links, Pins, Dangles and Wraps

Instructor: Diane Cook

Date of Class: February 3, 2027

Number of hours of class: 8 Hours

Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Maximum number of students: 14

Level: Advanced Beginner – Intermediate

Type: Technique AND/OR Project

Class Fee: $290

Kit Fee: $45

Kit Includes

Silver & Bronze Casting Grain

Emory Cloth

Handout

Silver Wire Solder

Consumables

AND USE OF THE FOLLOWING STUDIO EQUIPMENT IN CLASS

Soldering stations = torches, fuel platform, quench bowls, towels

Table Protection

Pickle

LOS patina

Baking Soda for neutralizer

Dawn, paper towels, dishpans for water

Flex Shaft

The instructor will have the following for use in class

Jump Ring Pliers, Water Casting Set-Ups, Charcoal Bricks & Third Hands

The instructor will have the following available for purchase in class

Gemstones & Czech Glass Beads

Campitos Turquoise Strands, Heishi

STUDENT SUPPLIES LIST

To try each link/wrap/pin first, please bring:

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 16-gauge, approx. 3-4’

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 18-gauge, approx. 3-4’

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 22-gauge, 1’

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 20-22gauge, approx. 1’ (or whatever gauge fits the beads brought along to wire wrap.  If you buy Navajo Pearls for the class, they fit 18gauge wire.)

Gemstone (or other) Beads, 6-8mm, 6-12

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 14-gauge, 2’

Please look at class sample photos for the Link #s.  This will give you an idea of the links I will demonstrate.  If you know which link you’d like to continue working on in class, please note the APPROXIMATE amount of wire needed for that Link # below.  

Link #1 : Ladder Link

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 18-gauge, 4-1/2’

Link #2 : Barbell/Paperclip Link

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 16-gauge, 4-1/2’

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 18-gauge, 4-1/2’

Link #3 :  Trellis Link

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 16-gauge, 3’

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 18-gauge, 2’

Link #4 :  Figure 8 Link

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 16-gauge, 4’

Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 18-gauge, 6”

REQUIRED TOOLS

Small Solderite Board (ex. https://a.co/d/09ZlcZZd) OR Small Honeycomb Board (ex. https://a.co/d/00tZGdTJ) / to transport project to/from soldering stations & use at the soldering station.

Bench Pin & Clamp

Ball Peen, Chasing or Planishing Hammer

Rawhide Mallet

Steel Bench Block & Rubber Bench Block

Jewelry Files Cut #2 – flat, half-round or barrette

Needle Files, Set

Flush Cutters (fyi…my favorite:  Double-flush Wire Cutters – Etsy)

Pliers, Chain Nose, Round Nose, Flat Nose, Flat/Half Round

Bail Making Pliers  (I like to use my various sizes  of  Wubbers – (https://a.co/d/0bzZOftp & https://a.co/d/0h2VMVgc & https://a.co/d/0go7Ficj but if you’d like use just one pair, these will work also:  https://a.co/d/0bnb2h9h)

Sanding Pads, Superfine (ex: Amazon.com: Soft Pads Sanding Sponge Sanding polishing Wet Dry Foam Washable Reusable fine grit Fast Cutting Grain Size (3 Pieces 3M 02600 softpads, Grain 1500 Microfine) : Industrial & Scientific)

Pumice Knife-edge wheel polisher, size medium & mandrels (Rio #332723 & #333120)

Pro-Polish Polishing Pads (ex. Rio #337020)

Utility Tweezers, Fine-Tip (ex. Rio #115053)

Small Solderite Board (ex. https://a.co/d/09ZlcZZd) / Small Honeycomb Board (ex. https://a.co/d/00tZGdTJ) / to transport project to/from soldering stations & use at the soldering station.

Solder Pick(s)

Soldering Tweezers, Fine Tip (ex. Rio#115222 or whatever you use at home.  I use a Utility Tweezer, but don’t let it get near the flame).

Ruler

Black Sharpie Retractable Permanent Marker, Ultra Fine, (ex. https://a.co/d/070bgfRE)

Pencil & Paper

Bead Mat (ex. https://a.co/d/03fIEhgt)

Work Light, Rechargeable/Battery Operated (ex. https://a.co/d/0dV3LduN OR https://a.co/d/0eZqO6Cs)

Personal Magnification, if needed

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES LIST

Gemstone, Czech or other Beads, for Wire Wrapping (between links-make sure your wire fits the hole of your chosen stone or bead)

Bead Scooper

Instructor Email Address:   dianecookjewerly@gmail.com

Instructor Website: Diane Cook Jewelry

Class Description 

This class will give you the opportunity to complete a sterling silver chain necklace, maybe using the pendant made in the ‘Captured’ or ‘Drops of Jupiter’ class as the focal.

Or it will be a great way to learn new techniques for attaching, wrapping or soldering at least 4 styles of links.

A beautiful hand-made focal piece deserves a beautifully hand-made chain.

There are so many options, but learning the links I’ll share in class will give you the ability to say that the entire necklace was ‘hand-made!’

Her are the links I will share:  Ladder & Paperclip/Barbell Links, Trellis Link & Figure 8 Link, as well as wire wrapping a gemstone, bead or Navajo Pearl, and a quick pinning example.

My hope is that students will attempt to complete each link & wrap, then move on to the one that resonates with them and could be attached to the focal they made in one of my previous classes or be made into a chain necklace, which is great to layer with other necklaces.