A Pressing Project: Making a Pendant with Hydraulic Press Elements with Becky McDonah

This class is for students who are familiar with or would like to learn more about the hydraulic press and the variety of ways it can be used to create surface textures and volume. Utilizing this piece of equipment and basic metalsmithing skills, students will achieve results that range from embossing to deeper forming while exploring the pendant form. The possibilities are virtually endless! Students may create finished pieces or a variety of samples during this class.

For questions, please contact Jeanne Jerousek @ (520) 837-8244 or email Jeanne.jerousek@tucsonaz.gov

ARTIST BIO

Becky McDonah received her Masters of Fine Arts from Arizona State University and her Bachelors of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She currently heads up the Fine Art Metals area at Millersville University in Pennsylvania and is a former Board Member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). Becky has participated in numerous national, and international exhibitions and has lectured and presented workshops across the country. McDonah’s work has been published in CAST, Metalsmith magazine, Humor in Craft, Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop, and 500 Metal Vessels.

TOOL LIST

Basic Hand Tools: Saw frame, assorted pliers, wire snips, files. 

Optional Hand Tools : Riffler files, carving burs (assorted sizes and shapes),  chasing tools 

Silver solder:  hard, medium, easy , 

Saw Blades:  2/0 saw blades or preferred size (as many as you need), spiral/wax saw blades (1 - usually sold by the dozen) 

Sandpaper/Emery paper:  Range of grits for clean-up 220/320/400

SUPPLY LIST

Students will use different amounts and types of materials according to their project/sample choices. If you have it, bring it, otherwise there will be some materials available for purchase. Variety of sheet metal for samples and projects. Copper is suggested for its working properties and cost.

Approximately: 22 – 20 ga copper for samples (at least 1 -2 sq. ft) 28 – 24 ga for samples (1/2 sq. ft)  Sheet metal for embossing plates and face plates. Brass or nickel silver are suggested for their hardness. 16 – 18 ga brass or nickel (1/2 sq. ft) Assortment of wire sizes for embossing. Brass or nickel are recommended  12 – 18 ga brass or nickel round wire (1 foot or more of a few gauges)  

Becky will have these items available for purchase as needed: Materials for making matrix dies Acrylic sheet in different thicknesses MDF and Masonite board Spiral saw blades For cutting acrylic, MDF, and Masonite Saw blades 2/0 saw blades Copper sheet 24 – 20 ga copper for samples Sheet metal for embossing plates and face plates 18 ga brass or nickel Wire for embossing 12 – 18 ga brass or nickel round wire

KIT FEE: NONE