Silver I - Heidi Mandich

Silver I - Heidi Mandich

Class | This class is completed

1

4/28/2024-5/3/2024

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$200.00

SILVER I

INSTRUCTOR: HEIDI MANDICH

 

Discover the thrill of using hammers, tools, saw, torch and imagination to transform plain pieces of metal and wire into beautiful wearable jewelry. Experience the advantages of using Argentium sterling silver (940) in your work. In this week of discovery, we will learn safe studio practices and the basic fundamentals of silversmithing: forging, forming; adding texture; shaping, sawing, piercing and filing. We will also focus on soldering, cold connections and basic stone setting. These skills will be explored through the creation of 4 group projects (2 bracelets, spinner ring plus sawing exercise) along with one project piece custom designed by the student that will include a set stone. The goal of this class is to gain comfort using a torch to anneal and solder; learn how to use hammers, punches and machines to texture and shape, develop proper techniques to saw, file, create cold connections and set a stone. The class fee includes printed materials for techniques and step by step detailed instructions for projects along with consumables (fuel, solder, flux, patina, sawblades, drill bits, solder brick, sandpaper, use of tools, equipment plus specialty tools provided by instructor and materials to complete 3 group projects, one in copper: two in Argentium sterling silver. Argentium for other projects will be available to purchase. Please wear closed toed shoes and have eye protection – glasses or readers are fine or safety glasses. If you have long hair, please have a way to tie it back. The materials fee includes Argentium sterling silver at market price (with the benefit of instructor’s volume discount) and comfort that, if you have an issue, it can be exchanged for a new replacement piece of the same size; cabochons based on size and stone choice and some tools will also be available for purchase.

 

Class Fee: $195 (4 group projects are included in the Class Fee)

Est Materials Fee: $50-250

Prerequisite: None

Additional Class Offerings: 04/28/2024, 08/11/2024

Mandich, Heidi

Heidi first discovered her passion for metalsmithing while taking a class at the Indianapolis Art Center in 2006. Using hammers, saws, fire and imagination, Heidi enjoys taking simple sterling silver sheet and wire and turning it into unique jewelry for people to enjoy and treasure. She continues to learn from experts in the field every year. “Metalwork…reshaping and reforming metal to become something you have envisioned is exciting …especially when it becomes what was in your head.”

In 2010 Heidi was asked to teach at the Indianapolis Art Center in the same studio where she first learned. She discovered her greatest joy is helping adult students find the same passion of using fire and tools to create jewelry from simple pieces of metal.

In 2011, Heidi took early retirement from her “day job” to follow her passion full time. She does art fairs throughout the Midwest, and continues to teach at the Indianapolis Art Center, and other venues, including William Holland in 2022 (after a 2 year wait 2020-2021). In and around these, she pursues learning opportunities to continue to grow creatively.

In 2014 Heidi was selected to join Indiana Artisans, a juried organization representing the best of art in Indiana as well as CCA Gallery, the oldest member owned coop art gallery in Indiana. In 2022, Heidi was invited to join Art IN Hand; another juried coop art gallery established in 2000, in Zionsville, Indiana. In 2022 & 2023, she was selected as a finalist for the Skip McKinney Faculty of the Year Award at the Indianapolis Art Center.