Classes

The Art of Electroforming

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Must be able to make shaped beads and understand basic metal finishing techniques

Thinking about embellishing your beads with metal to achieve a new level of bead artistry? Already electroforming ? Never electroformed? Want to electroform on glass? This class is for you! In this two day class, you will learn the steps to successful electroforming, from the beginning basics all the way to advanced techniques. Besides electroforming right onto glass, we will focus on the jeweler’s wax technique of sculpting a three dimensional design on beads you bring to class and electroforming over the wax to add unusual forms to your beads. This wax technique is the same one traditionally used to build forms to cast (lost wax casting) in silver and that will be addressed also with the hope that you will come away from the class with new skills you can use in many ways. We will also go over other things you can electroform with and ways in which you can electroform every part of your jewelry right down to the findings. In addition we will go over silver plating onto your electroforming, gold plating with a pen, and gold plating on PMC. Bring your creative ideas and a sense of humor!

Students will learn the basic mechanics and practice of several modes of electrodeposition. We will cover Electroforming with copper/ Plating with silver/ Pen plating with gold, and the proper use of all equipment and chemicals.

In the morning there will be a lecture and demo on the setup of a rectifier and safety principles involving the equipment. Detailed directions will be given for the correct method of use, and help will be given to anyone bringing their own equipment for setup. Students will learn the difference between an anode and a cathode and the science behind what occurs in the 'magical pot.' There will be time for discussion of various rectifiers and voltage/ current requirements and suppliers. Students will be supplied with diagrams indicating correct setup of equipment.

Mid-morning, students will learn the difference between things that can be used and not used in electrodeposition. Methods will be discussed and demoed for making glass a conductive surface. Supply sources will be shared. The correct method of applying electroconductive paint will be discussed and demoed. Students will then begin using electroconductive paint on beads they have brought from home under supervision of the teacher until all students grasp the correct application method and the beads are dry.

Late morning or after lunch, the proper way of connecting glass beads to the anode in preparation for electroforming will be discussed and demoed. Students will begin connecting their beads to anode wire under supervision of the teacher. Students will be instructed in the correct way to start a bath and how to initialize the process. When all beads are properly wired we will begin electroforming in batches depending on how many rectifiers we have present.

While the beads 'cook,' we will discuss what can go wrong and what you can do to fix a bath or bead that has turned out badly. Some of that will become evident as we check on the students’ beads every 15-20 mins and critique how they are doing. We will fix problems as we go along. This process can take from 30 mins to 4 hrs, depending on how much deposit the students want.

Mid-afternoon, as the beads continue to cook, we will go over the basics of silver plating onto copper electroforming with discussion. Finishing techniques will be discussed and demoed.

At end of the day, we can critique student beads and discuss what students liked and what they wished they had done differently. At that point the class will have a pretty reliable body of knowledge about the subject, and with some continued support from me -- I am available by email and phone for questions -- they can successfully electroform.

Because of the nature and time requirements of electroforming, students are usually only able to complete one or two beads a day.

On day two, students are taught the art of wax work on their beads and the use of a hot wax pen. Various construction methods will be taught, including the proper way to join wax wires and sheet, and use of the wax pen. Tips and tricks will be shared until everyone is comfortable with the process. This usually takes all morning, or sometimes into the afternoon. We then prepare the wax additions for electroconductivity and start the wax encrusted beads electroforming.

While the beads are cooking students will be taught the basics of 14k gold pen plating, and everyone should be able to get some hands-on experience with that technique on silver/PMC items they bring from home. We will go into other materials that are appropriate for electroforming, their uses, pros and cons.

Each student should be able to finish a bead or two the first day and an elaborate bead the second day.

Students should bring 2-3 large beads for electroforming the first day and 2 vessel shaped beads without handles the second day.

Class supply list for hosting studio:

• Conductor Electrodepositon water based paint
• 1box modelers wax wire Assortment
• dremel or flex shaft
• rectifiers- 1 for every 2 people
• One Hot wax pen/extra battery
• X-Acto knife or similar
• vinegar cleaning solution
• other copper cleaning solution-optional
• brass brush for dremel
• Scissors
• Styrofoam
• Bamboo skewers
• charcoal
• strainer
• Small brushes, detail brushes are best
• Q tips
• toothpicks
• a water cup -plastic cups or anything
• some etching liquid
• paper towels
• old tooth brush
• Liver of sulphur
• Best Black
• 20ft12g copper wire
• 18g copper wire
• Large glass jars

Lab fee $50: This fee covers all the paint and chemicals and rectifiers/equipment and wax pen, so each student can take home paint, wax and wax pen.