Things Kathryn Bowman Teaches

Jewelry Making Techniques That I Teach

I've been teaching jewelry making for twelve years. I have made a great deal of effort to keep things fresh, introducing new ideas and techniques all of those twelve years. Because of this, I can teach a lot of different techniques, and projects. I invite you to look

Metalsmithing

Create this delightful metal flower pendant using very basic metalsmithing techniques. You will learn jewelry making skills of sawing, filing, use of a disc cutter, wirewraping beads in the center, and riveting. When you are finished the flower will spin and the two supporting circles will move as you move while you are wearing the pendant. You must bring wire working pliers, chain nose, round nose, and wire cutters.

You make fabulous art jewelry designs with beads, now learn to make a toggle, and make every one of your handmade jewelry designs “yours” from one end to the other. You will be making two toggles from flat sheet metal using a few metalsmithing tools and techniques. You will learn to cut metal using a jewelry’s saw, refine the cuts with a file to be smooth as glass, and dome the metal to create volume.

It’s hard to find someone that doesn't love the Ginkgo leaf. Learn to make one in metal. In class you will be sawing metal, filing and refining the edges of the metal, chasing lines in the metal, shaping the metal and riveting the metal. This class will give you a little taste of some basic metalsmithing skills in making handmade jewelry, and results in an awesome pendant.

Learn to etch metal using Ferric Chloride. It is a great deal of fun to put images into your metal pendants or charms, resulting in art jewelry of your own. You can also create metal sheet using your personal textures. A step by step method will have you leaving class with several pieces and a thorough understanding of how to do more in your studio.

Learn to make these fabulous earrings, with leaves that move as you move. We will be using beginning metalsmithing skills, starting with a sheet of metal. I will guide you through the jewelry making process of cutting, and finishing metal. The techniques you will learn in this class are; using a jeweler’s saw, refining the metal with a file, chasing design on metal, texturing,

Part of why I have pursued learning metalsmithing was, that I wanted the pendants in my art jewelry to be made by me. I think a big part of the whole design is having the closure compliment the pendant and be handmade. You will do that in this class. During this class you will learn no fear metal sawing, filing, riveting, and forming. You will learn a lot of metal skills and use a lot of tools in this jewelry making class.

Do you want to make a bracelet that has a little bit of everything? The Articulated Bracelet has texture, shape, movement, and great design. Beyond the aesthetics, you will learn to saw, use a disc cutter, chase and texture the metal, and make rivets that will allow the bracelet to have free movement. All of the techniques will be demonstrated and discussed as we work our way through this handmade jewelry project. Some experience sawing metal will help.

Zentangle is a free form non-technical way to draw and I thought it would be the perfect way to create line and image on metal. Join me in a Zentangle experience. We will first draw a design and then Chase those line drawings into three metal squares. When we are finished with the line work, we will rivet the three squares together, and create a beautiful handmade jewelry. For those of you that absolutely refuse to draw, I will have designs available.

You will get a great introduction to basic metalsmithing skills in this jewelry making class. The tools will be available for you to make all of the components in the fabricated portion of the necklace. Chain will be added to create a handmade necklace that can be worn for all occasions. The washer links will be formed by using a disc cutting tool and you will learn to make your own jump rings. You will have endless fun hammering!

Learn some beginning metalsmithing skills and leave class with two great pairs of earrings. We start with a flat sheet of metal, and I will guide you through the process of cutting, and finishing the metal. The jewelry making techniques you will learn in this class are; cutting metal with a disc cutter and a saw, chasing design on metal, and texturing metal. All techniques will be demonstrated and discussed as we work our way through the projects.

During this class you will make rivets three ways, to connect metal elements that you cut. Learn no fear metal sawing, with a gentle, no-pressure approach. Once all of the parts are cut, you will refine them to glowing perfection while learning to file metal. In the end we will bring all the parts together and assemble by riveting. You will learn a lot of metal skills and use a lot of tools in creating handmade jewelry.

In just one day you will learn to etch copper or brass with Ferric Chloride for the five panels and toggle in the cuff. Next the work of cutting the panel pieces and toggle out of the metal will be demonstrated. You will then learn to refine the elements by filing and make all of your jumprings to connect everything together. The student will learn a lot of metal skills. There is a kit including; metal, etchant, neutralizer, rubber gloves, and sharpie.

at the many things I can teach you, get in touch with me, and set up a time to learn one or more of these techniques. Contact via e-mail. I live in St. Charles, MO, one of the many cities that make up the St. Louis metropalitan area. Because I work out of my

studio, I can generally work around your schedule, and time needs. I love a road trip, and like to take short trips to midwestern cities to teach at bead stores, art center, jewelry making guilds, or bead events. Please feel free to contact me.

Wire Work

Get some wire, pull out your pliers and never buy a finding again. We will make all sorts of findings and elements commonly used in jewelry making. Not that the findings market will collapse with your new found skill, but now you can put that personal touch in all of your jewelry designs. Toggles, hooks, beads, and fun and fanciful elements are just a few of the pieces you will be making during class. Please bring your wire working plies; for you will be working with them through out the class.

Wire wrapping and connections in it's many forms, to make this necklace, is what you will learn in this class. A step by step method to creating consistent, perfect, centered circles in a wire wrap is covered thoroughly. Once you know this, putting any chain or connected jewelry together will be a breeze.

What better mix could there be, but metal “and” beads? Beginning with a small disc of metal you will grow that into a fabulous petal focal to use in a necklace or bracelet. You will drill holes in metal, work with wire and round up seed beads in the process of creating this piece of interest. We will discuss incorporating this into a finished piece and the many options for design.

In this three hours you will make five different earrings. The five second earring, drop, simple hoop, hoop with latch for an interchangeable style and a wire chandelier. Think about the colors you wear and in these three hours you will create a complete earring wardrobe that will go with everything. Wire wrapping will give you endless variety, as you learn a few new moves in creating the five earring styles.

Beadweaving

Learn to create bead crochet rope to include in your handmade jewelry. I have been teaching bead crochet in my jewelry making classes for ten years, and have refined my approach over that time. I create a crocheted rope starter for the student. With the rope starter, you will be able to make the leap to understanding where you are going, and later make your own start. There is a kit required for class that includes an inch bead crochet and a crochet hook. The starter is the "secret" to success.

The student will be guided through the ins and outs of peyote stitch, the pattern in the cuff, sculptural buildup, embellishment and addition of the handmade hook. What a jewelry making bonanza of peyote techniques! This bracelet cuff was featured in the June 2008 issue of the Bead & Button Magazine, appears in volume 4 of Creative Beading, and is on the cover of Peyote Stitch published by Kalmbuch Publishing.

If you love Czech glass daggers, here is a new way to use them. Pick out your favorite color dagger beads and your favorite ear wires and we will have these earrings finished in no time. We will be making a beaded, and then we will add a headpin to make the suspension. Add your fancy beadwork to an ear wire and you can wear your new handmade earrings home. Just another handmade jewelry creation you can add to your jewelry making skills.

This is a great introduction into beadweaving. You will learn to crimp, that’s what holds the bracelet together, and handle those tiny little seed beads. There is a lot of repetition to make this bracelet, which creates a complex look, while being easy for the beginner. The Woolly Worm is a fabulous handmade jewelry accessory.

Czech glass rice beads are the perfect fit to make this quick and easy beaded bead. There is a five and six petal variation of the star petal beaded bead, that is than assembled into a fun and funky handmade jewelry bracelet. Learn a quick, crossover method of making a triangle beaded bead. Stringing for this bracelet is a little different, in that you will be running two stringing wires at once in your jewelry making.

By working with the shape and the finish of triangle beads, we will create a reversible bracelet, using the square stitch. One side of the bracelet will have the flash for evening and the other side will be subdued for day or the office. This jewelry making design will challenge your beading skills, while creating window embellishments and a nicely finished edge trim. A fun self toggle finishes the handmade jewelry bracelet of beading fun.

Maybe you have made beaded beads before. Maybe you have made Plum Blossom beads before, but have you embellished and changed every bead and bead combination? In this jewelry making class you will be doing all of that, to the Plum Blossom beaded beads. Discover the endless creative possibilities that this bead can add to your handmade jewelry. Fun Stuff!

Create a beautiful Pansy Brooch in your favorite color. Would you like to push your peyote skills to a higher level? This jewelry making class is your opportunity to do just that. Your efforts will be rewarded with a beautiful handmade jewelry brooch. Instead of the purple used in the sample brooch, select your favorite colors to make it truly yours. This is not for the beginning peyote beader, you must be comfortable with odd and even count peyote.

The basic Plum Blossom beaded bead is the base you will learn to build on and embellish in this jewelry making project. There will be a quick review of the Basic Plum Blossom bead, that we've grown to love. After the review, we will move right into embellishment, the directional tricks, and success. You will also learn the Czech disc and seed bead variation of the Plum Blossom. More fun ways to make the Plum Blossom to add to your handmade jewelry.

This beadweaving jewelry making class will guide you through making this statement making cuff. You will make the base of the cuff while learn the Square Stitch. Working the length of the cuff in Square Stitch will make YOU a master. Next add layers of fringe to add texture and color. The instructions guide you through making an effective invisible closure so you can include an awesome button you have been saving for a special project.

This petite heart pendant and how to make it has been around in the jewelry making world for a while. I took a class a few years ago, and was appalled with the written instructions. I went home and wrote comprehensive, illustrated, step by step instructions. During class, I guide you through the process, and you will be learning to make your own handmade jewelry puffy heart pendant. You love making the pendant, giving the pendant, and wearing the pendant.

If you haven’t made the Plum Blossom beaded bead, you are in for a jewelry making adventure. This beaded bead can be a basic little ball or a spiky extravaganza to include in your handmade jewelry. And, yes, it is all the same bead. During class we will start out with the basic bead, and then move on to include all of those beautiful Czech glass beads you have wondered how to use. During class we will make approximately four beads.

This class is for the seed bead lover. The under-structure of the cuff is the beginning and basis of this bracelet jewelry making project. That under-structure is the beginning of it all, and is attached to the closure before the seed bead fun begins. Once you have established the structure, let the fun begin creating loops, stand ups, and coral that makes this cuff lush. In the end this handmade jewelry cuff will wow your audience.

Playing with pattern while using the Peyote Stitch is an age old tradition that you can now include in you jewelry making. Use the colors in the photo or pick out five of your favorites and let’s do the odd count peyote stitch. We will make about an inch of peyote and then go to the edge and create the crystal crust. As a bonus, I will also teach how to make the wire hook closer, that make this cuff totally handmade jewelry.

Join in on the fun, and make Plum Blossom beaded beads. You will make four different styles of Plum Blossom beaded bead for this necklace, using Czech daggers, petal, rose petal and drop beads. This jewelry making necklace is fun to make and fun to wear. We will get three to five of the beads finished in this handmade jewelry class, giving you plenty of practice making the plum blossom beaded bead. You will learn how to string the beaded beads once you have them made, so they hang just right.

Using Right Angle Weave, you will learn to make circular linked components that incorporate lots of sparkle. Two colors interplay in the beaded links, as you close them around each other in this elegant handmade jewelry bracelet. By creating half a link, you will have a toggle, using the same RAW method. You will finish one link, the toggle, and possibly one more link during class, and be well on your way with your jewelry making project.

You will be pushing your knowledge of Right Angle Weave just a little bit further, by learning this jewelry making project. You will be connecting tubular RAW in an old way in new places, while making the Faux Linked Chain. The links for the Faux Chain, uses RAW with bead variations that forms a lovely arch at each connection. This same technique then converts into the toggle. The links cage crystals along the arch and add bling.

This necklace required a lot of tools and techniques, so it got the name of Tool Up. The focal is an abstraction of a Tulip created out of sterling silver and the tiniest seed beads. There was sawing with a jeweler’s saw, filing to bring the silver to smooth glowing finish, and precise hammering to incise lines for pattern and definition. The seed beads were woven together in a shape and pattern graduating from peacock purple to the palest yellow.

A blue flower kicking up it's petals is created in copper and colored with Prismacolor pencil. It snuggles into a sterling silver shadow support. A shades of blue bead crochet rope provides the connection, set off with handmade end caps and hook that mimics the flower pendant. Sorry this piece of art is not currently available for sale. It is waiting the jury process for an upcoming gallery show. Contact me if you are interest in having a necklace made for you.

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Jewelry Making Techniques That I Teach

Metalsmithing

Wire Work

Beadweaving

Daisy Shield Brooch

Tool Up Necklace

BlueBloomSlider

Flower Petal Necklace- Plum Blossom