SUMMER WORKSHOPS IN FREIBURG

Argentium is a new, patented sterling silver alloy with the semi-metal germanium. Argentium can be welded without solder, this silver alloy has a high starting capacity, increased toughness, increased thermal and electrical resistance and environmental benefits. The participants learn how to weld and process the parts without solder on various self-designed pieces of jewellery. Argentium can be obtained. During the class, it’s only slightly more expensive than regular sterling silver
Keum Boo: A 0.02 mm thin thin gold sheet can also be bonded over a large area with Fine Silver or Argentium without solder. This fascinating technique, originating from Asia, works with the help of a stove plate at about 400 degrees C. through an intensive molecular connection of the two metals. After applying the fine gold pads, the parts can be further processed into a piece of jewellery.
Course instructor: Christine Zock is Certified Master Bench Jeweler specialised in Argentium and Keum Boo

Making suitable clasps and catches for necklaces or bracelets is an exciting subject for advanced amateurs. Felix Stüssi will present a whole range of different clasps and catches classical as well as surprisingly simple individual solutions. The participants choose samples that appeal to them to be reproduced in their own work. Good technical skills and soldering knowledge are necessary for this class.
Course Instructor: Felix Urs Stüssi Goldsmith, Designer FH , Gemmologist DGemG

Enamel is the permanent fusion of the two materials metal and glass. The variety of colours and techniques offers the creative enameller an inexhaustible field of application possibilities. Experimental and artistic enamelling is the focus of this seminar. It can be used both on and in the surface as well as in the mold. Various enamelling techniques, like cell emulation, and industrial enamel technology, are then taught.
Course instructor: Mandy Rasch from Erfurt is a goldsmith with a design degree. She works at her own studio. Teaches, as a lecturer at the Erfurt Chamber of Crafts, participates in many exhibitions and in the organization of the Erfurter Schmucksymposium.

Paper may at first glance be an unusual material for jewellery,but offers very interesting design perspectives due to the variety of colours and the low weight. In addition, it is easily and cheaply available everywhere, most basic processing techniques are familiar. In addition to different coloured papers, Japanese papers and cartons, we also work with paper yarns in a variety of strengths. With silver for the technical parts This allows us to create completely new pieces of jewellery.
Course instructor: Bea Benedetti has completed a goldsmith’s apprenticeship; she still works in this profession, but has been increasingly turning to organic and textile materials for several years, especially paper as a jewelry material, and has deepened her knowledge at the Course Centre for Crafts at Ballenberg.

Professor Kimiaki Kageyama will show the participants how to make 3 traditional Japanese metal alloys. Shakudo a metal alloy of copper with 3 – 5 % gold. Shipo Shibuichi is a term for copper alloys containing silver. Nami Shibuichi is composed of 70% Cu, 29% Ag & 1% Au. Also surfaces like Nunomezogan will be shown and practised. The piece of metal to be worked on is fixed in chasing cement, then the surface of the parent material is roughened with a sharp little chisel and following that, a thin metal foil is battened into this structure and hammered flat. The art of line Inlay becomes also part of the lecture. Finally, various pagination methods will be presented and used. Professor Kageyama also shows how to do repousse with thin iron sheet.
Course instructor: K. Kageyama was Professor, Head of Metal Department at H. Mizuno Jewellery College in Tokyo.

This course teaches how hollow jewellery can be created. While just using simple tools, traditional and new techniques can be tried out and combined. Techniques such as compressing, squeezing, deep-drawing, forging, and special wax techniques are demonstrated and used. For example, it will be shown how hollow bangles can be made as single pieces or as a small series. The high precious metal prices make such a method of creation very attractive.
Course instructor: Georg Schulte Master goldsmith, instructor for various Techniques at the European Trade Academy in Ahlen and head of a goldsmith studio