Jewelry: Fabrication (Thursday, PM)
Adult Class | Registration opens Monday, July 6, 2026 8:00 AM EDT
Explore the fundamentals of fabrication in metal with the focus on jewelry design. Learn the basic jewelry making techniques such as forming and forging, stone setting, soldering, and brazing using various materials. There will be instructor demos for the design and fabrication of pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, rings, belt buckles, and other creative accessories, as well as art objects such as containers, ornaments, and small-scale sculptures. The instructor will also provide plenty of individual feedback with each student’s project. This class is designed for students with some prior experience. Bring your creative ideas and take home beautiful jewelry pieces of your own design.
What You Will Learn:
- Learn and improve your soldering skills
- Fabricating and fitting parts and pieces together
- Learn and improve your level of metal forming through hollow forming
- Learn and improve your level of working in silver
- Introduction to stone setting
Accessibility Note: This studio is only accessible by stairs. For access needs or accommodations, contact adulteducation@fleisher.org.
Please note: Studio fees help cover the ongoing cost of studio resources, including tools, equipment maintenance, gas, soldering materials, abrasives, and other supplies available for student use.
Recommended Local Jewelry & Metal Suppliers
- T.B. Hagstoz & Son Inc., 709 Sansom St, 215-922-1628, hagstoz.com
- Pamma Tools, 809 Samson St, 215-928-6004, pammatools.com
Recommended Online Jewelry & Metal Supplier
- Rio Grande, 1-800-545-6566, riogrande.com
All students should start the class with these supplies:
- Sketchbook and pen/pencil
- 2 dozen sawblades 2/0 (24 total)
- 1 dozen sawblades 3/0 (12 total)
- 12” each of easy, medium, and hard solder wire
- 1 sheet each of 220, 320, 400, and 600 grit sandpaper
- Tracing paper
- An old t-shirt or rag for drying metal
- Black thin and fine tip permanent marker OR oil-based paint sticks
- 6" x 12" 20 gauge sheet of copper or brass (or a mix of both metals totaling 6" x 12")
- 2-4 drill bits in each of the following sizes - size #67, #65, #56, #54
- 6" each of easy, medium, and hard silver solder wire
Midway through term students will need additional supplies determined by individual student designs. Please do not purchase these items ahead of term. This list is to help you understand all the supplies you may need during the term.
- 18, 20, or 22 gauge sterling silver sheet
- 8-10" of 26 gauge sterling silver bezel wire
- 6" of brass, copper, or silver wire in various gauges
- 1-2 round or oval cabochon cut gemstones
Please note: All metals are at your own expense. You are able to use copper, brass, or sterling silver in this class. Students should choose a metal that works best for their personal budgets (copper and brass tend to be more budget friendly). The use of gold should be discussed with your instructor prior to purchase. No nickel or steel is permitted in the Fleisher jewelry studio.
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Wendy Tonsits
Wendy Tonsits Jewelry creations are a synthesis of bold lines and striking relationships of form and colored gemstones. Creative influences can be found in the sculptural forms and colors in nature and her travels to Japan, Italy, Fiji and other parts of the globe. Wendy creates her small sculpture jewelry with traditional techniques which often reflect her love of carving from metal sheet or bars of sterling silver to achieve original organic shapes as well as hand constructing settings for uniquely cut faceted gems. The artist is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Art with a degree in jewelry and metalsmithing. She earned her Graduate Gemologist degree at the Gemological Institute of America in NYC and worked as a diamond specialist in the GIA Gem Trade Lab. For 12 years Tonsits owned and operated a community jewelry teaching studio in Atlanta, GA. Presently she maintains her private jewelry studio at the Bok Building in Philadelphia, PA and teaches jewelry classes at the Abington Art Center, Main Line Art Center and the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia.