SILVER l: LEARN BASICS AND CREATE BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY INSTRUCTOR: HEIDI MANDICH

SILVER l: LEARN BASICS AND CREATE BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY INSTRUCTOR: HEIDI MANDICH

Class | Available

1
5/4/2025-5/9/2025
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$200.00

SILVER l: LEARN BASICS AND CREATE BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY INSTRUCTOR: HEIDI MANDICH

Class | Available

SILVER l: LEARN BASICS AND CREATE BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY
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 f 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  techniques, cold  connections  and  basic stone  setting.

We  will  learn  basic fundamentals  of  silversmithing  while  creating  2  bracelets  and  a  spinner  ring... projects  will 
 provide.   Then it's your  turn  to  design  and  create-under  my  guidance-your  own  custom  piece  (or pieces) 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  correctly use hammers, punches  and  machines to  texture and  shape; develop  proper techniques   to  saw  and file, create cold connections and set a stone.

Class  fee  includes:  printed  materials for tec hniques  and  step  by  step  detailed i nstructions for  projects along  with  consumables  (fuel,  solder,  flux,  patina,  saw blades,  drill  bits,  solder  brick,  sandpaper,  use  of tools,  equipment  plus  specialty  tools  provided  by  instructor  plus  materials  to  complete  4  projects - two in  copper;  two  in  Argentium  sterling  silver . Argentium  for  additional  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.

Class Fee: $195 (includes materials for first 4 projects)
Materials: $50-300 includes Argentium  sterling  silver 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.
Prerequisite: None

Mandich, Heidi
Heidi Mandich

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.