Alternative Clasps, with Suzanne Williams

This 3-day workshop will start with a short presentation introducing participants to many different kinds of clasping methods and mechanisms for jewelry including a section on clasp inspirations - ideas coming from non-jewelry sources. We will then create the following 4 clasp samples in sterling silver: 2 versions of a rotating insert clasp, a basic, and a more complex version of that clasp, a rotating key lock clasp, and an interlocking puzzle clasp. These clasp mechanisms can be modified and incorporated in unique and unusual ways, in innumerable variations, into necklace and in some cases bracelet closures - becoming integrated into the design, or as the main attraction of a jewelry piece. Clasps don’t have to be an afterthought at the back of a chain. These are clasp mechanisms that are functional, fun, and invite being taken apart and put back together like a puzzle.

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

ARTIST BIO

Suzanne is a Colorado resident. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a degree in printmaking and later worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, fine artist, and technician in art/bronze casting foundries before beginning her jewelry-making career in 1990. She has shown her work in many galleries, art festivals and group shows. Suzanne is always working on developing and applying new techniques and approaches to creating her 3-dimensional jewelry such as designing and fabricating unconventional clasps and closures for her work. Hand fabricated clasps and closures have always been an integral part of her designs, but in the past few years she has intensified her exploration and development of new and interesting ways of joining jewelry elements together. She has also more recently been teaching workshops, further exploring and sharing novel and unconventional approaches to the design, functionality and creation of clasps and closure methods.

TOOL LIST

Pliers: Round, chain nose, flat, half round, and 1 pair with nylon jaws  

Digital ruler/calipers 

Ball peen hammer and small anvil or steel block (to hammer on) 

Rawhide mallet  

Saw frame and blades: 2/0 or 3/0 or 4/0 

Bench pin with V-slot 

Drill bits (bring a variety of smaller sizes) 

File set, regular and mini sizes 

Escapement file and nail file 

Shears and nippers 

Flush cutters 

Scribe 

A selection of round burrs (including 4mm) and crosscut or cylinder burrs and diamond burrs (if you have them – I will be bringing some of these if you don’t).  

Centering punch (a sharpened nail will work) 

Sharpie 

Steel bezel forming mandrel 

Coarse sanding discs (Moore’s snap-on) and snap-on mandrel 

A sheet of 220 or 240 sandpaper 

N95 particulate respirator and safety glasses

SUPPLY LIST: NONE

KIT FEE: $65.00

It will include all the sterling silver needed to fabricate the clasp samples.