That’s A Paddlin’ Saddle-set Hinged Earrings, with Alex Boyd

In this class, students will make a pair of earrings with saddle-set stones and cabochons. Techniques covered will include hinge making, riveting objects, making a safety catch for ear wires, combining patination and many other tips and tricks.

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

ARTIST BIO

When Alex Boyd was a young boy he stole an enchanted ring from a powerful bruja.  That night his slumber was disturbed by a tapping at his window. When he slid the window open a huge raven rushed in, flew around the room and perched on his bookshelf. "I know what you have taken from me,"  the raven cawed.  "I don't know what you’re talking about," Alex lied, hiding his bejeweled finger behind his back.  "No matter.  It is your problem now.  The wearer of that ring is indentured to create more talismans of power, either for 1000 years or until he makes something so sublime, so perfect, so beautiful that the spell is broken and he is freed." "1000 years it is," Alex said as he thrust the raven out the window and slammed it shut behind her.  He has been making jewelry ever since.

TOOL LIST

Tools (with Rio Grande Item # where applicable) 

Files: 

#2 cut needle file set 114764 

#5 cut needle file set 114766 

#4 cut barrette escapement file 114820 

#2 cut flat hand file 114700 

#5 cut flat hand file 114703 

Note about files: Exact needle files used will vary depending on the shape of the cabochons chosen. This project can be made with a basic economy needle file set and a #2 cut flat hand file but it will be more difficult to achieve a high degree of craftsmanship. The above files are what I’ll be using in my demonstrations.    

Pliers: 

Chain nose pliers 111074 

Round/flat pliers 111190 

Parallel pliers 111321 

Half round pliers 111062 

Flat nose pliers 111128 

Flush cutters 111033 

Note about pliers: There are many options for each of the listed pliers. I chose these arbitrarily. 

Scribe 118459 

Titanium solder pick 503019 

Batterns flux 504076 (I use Prips Flux but that’s hard to find lately. Any alcohol-free liquid flux is fine) 

Hypodermic Squeezy Bottle 504005 

Planishing hammer 112461 This one is pricey, but it’s what I use because I’m bougie. Any similar hammer is fine. 

Sanding sticks in 180, 320 and 600 grit (Make your own from loose paper and a paint stirring stick) 

Boric acid and denatured alcohol mixed until saturated (optional) 

Iron wire birds nest (make your own with black annealed steel wire. Never use galvanized) 

Free tutorial available at www.alexboydstudio.com. 

Torch (either fuel/oxygen or acetylene/air) 

Solder board 502063     

Pickle in a crockpot and quench bowl 

Jeweler’s saw 110039 

2/0 blades 110306 

6/0 blades 110302 

.7mm drill bit 341270 

1mm krauss bur 342020 

Flex shaft or micromotor Burlife 117003 

Toothbrush Third hand tweezers 502066 

Dividers 116171 

Medium grit 3M bristle disc 332583 

Pin vise 113146 

1.4mm ball bur 344311 

Fine point permanent marker 

Bezel roller 113063 

Note: These tools will all be used in my demonstrations, but if you don’t have them all there’s a good chance a work-around is possible. If you have any questions email me at alex@alexboydstudio.com and we’ll figure it out.

SUPPLY LIST: NONE

KIT FEE: $125.00

Kit includes:   

2 cabochons and 2 drilled paddle style stones  

.925 sheet 16 gauge (large enough to back 2 bezels) 

.925 22 gauge 3.4mm x 4.5cm 

.925 22 gauge 2.3mm x 5cm 

.925 22 gauge 1.6mm x 3cm 

.925 tubing 1.7mm outer diameter .9mm inner diameter 9mm 

.925 round wire 20 gauge 

10cm Bezel wire 22k gold 

26 gauge tall enough and long enough to set cabs 

18k 20 gauge round wire 3.5cm  

18k yellow hard solder  

Alex can also make the kits with just silver if folks don’t want to spend the money on gold.