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Carry A Torch/Tiers For Ears // Metalsmithing Class
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  • $195 or 4 monthly payments of $48.75

Tiers For Ears // Metalsmithing Class

  • Course
  • 52 Lessons

Looking to add visual complexity and detail to statement earrings without weighing down your lobes? This course teaches techniques allowing a fusion of textures, design, shape, and movement to pack the punch without the bulk and added weight.
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// ABOUT THIS COURSE //

Tiers For Ears is an online course designed to take you step-by-step from beginning to completion in making a pair of three tiered kinetic and elegantly textured statement earrings. As you make your way through this course, you will learn many techniques such as fusing sterling silver to create amazing texture, utilizing components of your solder station in different ways to make soldering small components easier, circle templates and disc cutters - how they take the guess work out of cutting, maximizing your metal, and much more. 

You’ll be surprised how light the finished earrings will be because you get so much bang for your buck with the texture, there is no need to add heavy adornments and embellishments to gain interest. Those extras tend to weigh earrings down. And for those of you who have sensitive ears (like me) that cannot handle the weight but want to be able to go a bit bigger with a statement pair on occasion, these are the perfect answer. 

All techniques taught in this course are ones that you can utilize in so many facets of metalsmithing, you will be able to apply them to your aesthetic and design style right away! 

If you are ready to elevate your skill set and add three-dimensional interest and pop to your pieces, I hope you will sign up for this course.  

Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner + Up

// WHAT'S INCLUDED //

  • Complete and comprehensive course content. Perfect for every type of learner. From 25 detailed and up close videos to thorough printable PDF’s, sample photos, Q&A’s, printable charts and bench reference guides. You will be sure to have the information available when and where you need it.
  • Tools, Expendables and Materials Lists with live links for ease in sourcing purchasing what you need for the course.
  • An online community. You will have exclusive access to a private Facebook group to ask questions, troubleshoot issues and share photos of your pieces with your piers and myself in this online social space. 
  • Assistance from me!! This may not be an in-person course, but I am very much available to help with your questions along the way. 
  • Lifetime access to the course. Whether or not the course is available for new students to purchase or not, your access will be open to view any time you wish. You can go as fast or slow through the content as works for you and your schedule. 
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// WHAT YOU'LL LEARN //

  • Techniques for fusing sterling silver to make amazing texture
  • Utilizing components of your solder station in different ways to make soldering small components easier
  • Circle templates and disc cutters - how they take the guess work out of cutting
  • Maximizing your metal to cut down on waste
  • Perfecting bezeling stones
  • Sawing techniques to help you love your saw
  • Drilling/Flex Shaft usage and safety  
  • Safe practices for using tools in your studio
  • Applying patina and finishing techniques
  • Stone setting tools, options and troubleshooting
  • Confidence in your craft!
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// TESTIMONIALS //

I have also had the pleasure of teaching in-person in both my home studio as well as at Vivi Magoo Art Retreats. The students below have taken multiple classes both in-person and online from me and are so kind to share their experiences with you. 
"I have had the privilege of taking five classes with Shannon. I love the projects in her classes. They are packed with skills, and of course you end up with a fabulous piece to wear. But the best part of her classes is her background in graphic art. She explains the process of how to design the project; the proportions, the layout, considerations for how to hold the stone, and how to make it your own. She shares her sketchbook - which is a wonder. Shannon is also generous in sharing tips and sources for supplies. I look forward to taking more of her classes in the future."

Jane Archer

"I just finished one of Shannon's online classes and it was fantastic! The video was clear and the sound was good. The instructions were really easy to to follow and the video closeups were great! I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out! Shannon is so easy to understand and explains the steps very clearly. I would definitely take more classes from her.
Happy Happy Maker!"

Terri Checketts

"This was a fantastic class! I thought fusing would be easier. I got so frustrated in the beginning, but I watched the video over again and went along with it and Shannon talked me right through it. Her voice is so calming and she had great information and attention to detail. This platform was very easy to navigate. The logo & branding is BEAUTIFUL! The printable instructions are invaluable and had everything I needed. It was really a great class, not too drawn out, just the perfect amount of instructions/teaching.

I’ve taken online classes that have been fabulous, but I’ve found most either have too much information and others left me with lots of questions. This one was just right!"

Breean Falcon

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// CONTENTS //

// WELCOME //

Welcome to my online course on creating a stunning pair of textured three-tiered earrings! I am thrilled that you have chosen to join me on this creative journey and I appreciate you putting your trusting in me as a teacher. I recognize that online learning can be challenging at times when there isn't immediate help when facing an obstacle, but I would like to assure you that I am here to offer guidance, additional resources, and support through email as well as the Facebook Group. This group is also a great place to connect with your piers in this class community to answer questions and start discussions to help deepen your understanding of the concepts and techniques.

Hello + Welcome!!
Preview
About Me
Preview
Studio Safety
Facebook Group Link

// BEFORE WE BEGIN //

Here are the lists, handouts and links you will need for this course. Almost every item on these lists has a live link that will take you to a website where you can buy it. These are my preferred versions of these items, but that doesn't mean yours needs to be the same brand, style, etc. Use what you have and buy only what you need. I have also not searched out price comparisons on these items, so keep in mind you may be able to get them cheaper elsewhere.

Please note, you will need a torch hot enough to fuse silver dust. I use a butane torch in this video because I feel this is the most common for students to have already. The type I have that is refillable or the type where you have a canister that you add a torch head to will work equally as well. If you have an acetylene torch or oxygen/propane and wish to use those, go for it! The smaller torches, such as the creme brulee torches will not get your metal hot enough, so you will need something bigger.

Raw Materials List // With Links
Preview
Expendables List // With Links
Preview
Tools // With Links
Preview
PRINTABLE // Bench Reference Guide

PART 1 // GATHER MATERIALS

Materials Video
Class Samples
Student Work

PART 2 // BEZEL CUP CONSTRUCTION

We will start the earrings by creating the bezel cups for our stones. Bezels are most often the first building block in a structurally sound and visually appealing piece. They have the very important job of providing your focal stone(s) with a secure and protective setting and therefore need to be made with precision and care. Having a solid understanding of how they are best constructed will give all of your future designs a solid start and you will be more confident moving forward.

Choosing Bezel Wire // Q+A
Bezel Cup Construction Instructions
Forming Bezels
Soldering Bezels Closed
Check Fitting + Prep Backplate
Solder Bezels to Backplate
Sawing Tips
Cut Out + File Cups

PART 3 // FUSING SILVER DUST

Fusing Silver Dust Instructions
Fusing Silver Dust
Check + Flatten Sheet
Clean Up + Knock Down Raised Areas

PART 4 // MEASURE + CUT SHAPES

Measure + Cut Shapes Instructions
Drawing Out Grid Lines + Shapes
Cutting Disks
Trim + File Tiers

PART 5 // DRILL HOLES + PREP PIECES

Drill Holes + Prep Pieces Instructions
Layout + Mark Holes
Flex Shaft Safety Info
Make Divots + Drill
Plan + Trim Jump Rings
Printable Conversion Guide // Drill Bit Chart

PART 6 // SOLDER + ASSEMBLE

Solder + Assemble Instructions
Solder Bezel Cup to Top Tier
Solder On Jump Rings
Earring Assembly

PART 7 // PATINA + FINISHING TECHNIQUES

Patina + Finishing Instructions
Patina Info + Q&A
Scrub-a-Dub!
Patina
Hand Finishing Option Info
Tumbler Option Info
Liver of Sulfur // Disposal

PART 8 // STONE SETTING

Setting Stones Instructions
Fitting Stones + Raising Up Option
Setting Stones + Finishing

// FINAL THOUGHTS + THANK YOUS //

What Now? // Ideas for moving forward.
Thank You! Thank You! THANK YOU!!
Coming Up...
IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS COMING UP
My gift to you!
Shannon is the owner and creative force behind Carry A Torch. She is a self taught silversmith, designing crushworthy jewelry out of her home studio in Scottsdale, Arizona. She holds a BFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Arizona. Shannon's background in many other art mediums—including hand-lettering, computer graphics, sculpture, textiles and painting—all contribute to the color, texture and balance in her creations. A passion for trying new materials and challenging herself is what drove Shannon to try her hand at silversmithing, igniting a flame that has her smitten for good. She quite literally and figuratively carries a torch for this medium. And now in her in-person and online classes, Shannon is sharing the seductive spark of silversmithing with her fellow artists.
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// POLICIES //

Once you sign up for the class, you will have access to the complete course and all online materials included. Because of this I cannot provide any refunds under any circumstances. Please be sure you are making the correct selection before hitting purchase. 

Ethical behavior is a MUST. I am bringing this course to you to share my knowledge and experience. Under no circumstances is it ok to reproduce included materials for profit, teach, or share logins and passwords with other students. This is not only ethically wrong, but a breach of copyright. The site also tracks locations for log-ins so yes, I will find out. At that time you will be removed from class and excluded from taking any future classes.

The tools and materials used while metalsmithing can be very dangerous if not used correctly. By participating in this online workshop, you acknowledge and agree to release and hold harmless and indemnify Carry A Torch, LLC and Shannon Bundschuh from any and all liability for loss, damages, costs, or expenses incurred throughout the duration of taking this workshop.