Let’s Mesh Around! Forming and Enameling Steel Wire Mesh
Online
$385, plus $65 kit
November 2-3, 2024
Wanna Mesh Around?
If you’ve been flirting with woven wire mesh, now is the time to get serious. Meshing around is so much fun! In fact, if I can be direct, it’s more fun than…well, you get the picture. With characteristics of both fabric and metal sheet, woven mesh requires specialized techniques. In this workshop you will learn how to add color and dimension to your creations with this exciting material. The workshop will cover how to work with mesh including sourcing, cutting, forming, soldering, micro-welding and finishing it. In addition, students will learn to add excitement and drama to their wire mesh creations by applying liquid form enamels to mesh to create spontaneous, colorful forms.Day 1. The Basics of working with woven wire steel mesh
10 am-12:30 pm PDT, lunch break, 1:30-4:30 pm PDT
- Understanding mesh. What is woven steel mesh? What sizes are available? Where do you buy it? How can you use it?
- Working with mesh. Cutting, patterning, forming and scoring/bending it.
- Finishing edges and ends. Finishing edges and forming seams.
- Soldering and fuse welding. Connecting mesh sheets to each other.
- Combining mesh with sheet. Soldering and cold connections.
- Designing with mesh. Integrating it with other forms of mild steel (sheet, perforated steel and wire). Combining it with non-traditional materials. Using it to capture elements.
Day 2. Enameling woven steel wire mesh
10 am-12:30 pm PST, lunch break, 1:30-4:30 pm PST (Note that in the U.S. daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 2.)
- Incorporating enamel in design. Using enameling to enhance design of mesh pieces.
- Preparing. Preparing the steel mesh and liquid form enamels.
- Applying enamel to mesh. Various application methods. Drying the enamel.
- Firing the enamel. Torch and kiln firing.
- Layering enameled mesh. Creating added interest by layering enameled steel mesh.
- Mounting enameled mesh. Combining it with sheet, wire and perforated steel sheet.
- Sealing enameled mesh. Applying a wax sealer.
Skill level:
Students should be comfortable using a torch and should possess basic metal working skills, such as sawing, filing and forming. Some experience with enameling is beneficial but not required. Students should be knowledgeable about safe practices in a jewelry studio.
Kit:
$65 including shipping USPS flat rate envelope. For U.S. students, kits will be shipped approximately one week before the class starts. For non-U.S. students the timing and shipping cost will be based on location and additional shipping costs will be billed separately. Note that kits shipped to California locations are subject to sales tax.
- 5 pieces of woven steel mesh 6"x12"
- 1 piece of 20g steel sheet 6” x 12”
Student Provided Supplies:
Note that the sources shown are merely examples. Many different vendors can be sourced for these products. In addition to the general list for tools and supplies needed for working with steel (see “Basic Tools and Supplies” PDF), you will need to provide the following supplies, materials and tools for this class:
- Flush cutters—an old pair that you don’t mind getting dinged up
- Dedeco separating disc and mandrel—Rio Grande
- Metal ruler (inches and mm)
- Flat nose parallel pliers (2 pair)—Rio Grande
- Silver solder (any kind)
- Sharp scissors (such as Joyce Chen)
- Liquid form brushable opaque enamels—two or three colors—Thompson Enamel or Rio Grande
- Paint brushes—two or three inexpensive smallish paint brushes from Michaels or any art supply store
- Particulate mask
- Small containers to mix liquid enamels
- Distilled water
- Heat gun or hair dryer--Amazon or hardware store
- Enameling trivet—Thompson Enamel
- Firing fork—Thompson Enamel or Rio Grande
- Gun bluing– Oxpho Blue Brownells or Presto-black PC9 Sculpt Nouveau
- Your choice of clear Metal Wax from Sculpt NouveauOR Bowling Alley Wax from Amazon
- Ground coat for steel GC-16--Thompson Enamel
- Enameling kiln—enclosed kiln designed for enameling. Available from many different vendors. Manufacturers include Paragon, Vcella and Amaco
- Firing fork (if you are using a kiln)—Thompson Enamel or Rio Grande
Basic Tools & Supplies
For supplies, materials and tools that you will need to provide for all classes, please refer to the basic list for tools and supplies needed for working with steel in the pdf below. As with the list of class-specific supplies (above), many of these are items that you may have on hand. Note that the sources shown are merely examples. Many different vendors can be sourced for these products.
Basic Tools and Supplies for Working with Steel »