Setting A Record. Or, A Lesson In Entrapment.
Discover a myriad of ways to cage, cradle, encase, snare and otherwise set
the most unlikely of gemstones: the found object.

This exciting 2-day workshop takes participants on a spontaneous
and thrilling journey of connecting materials of their own choosing
to create utterly one-of-a-kind settings.

Join artist Keith Lo Bue and learn to elevate the humblest cast-off to the status of a jewel.

Supply List:

REQUIRED TOOLS:

The list below contains things you will be certainly using in the workshop, and to avoid having to wait for a communal tool to become available, you should plan on getting them for the class. Where possible, I have provided links to the items as available from Amazon, so you can purchase more supplies at once.

• Jeweler's saw (get a 'deep' one, ideally with 5" to 6" 'throat' <here>

• Jeweler's saw blades (an inexpensive assortment like <this> is perfect for the class)

• bench pin <here> Alternatively, you could bring in a piece of 3" x 1/2" wood, about 10" long, and we can make your own wider, more beefy bench pin. In this case, one of the bar clamps, listed below, will be used for the pin.

• a small power drill <here> If you already own a power drill, corded or cordless, bring that so you don't buy another (as long as it has an adjustable chuck on the end, rather than the hexagonal 'quick-change' tip). But in the last few years battery technology has allowed this new generation of compact drills to emerge. The one I've linked to is very inexpensive and it will be a wonderful tool for working with - well worth the expense! If you simply can't afford it, in a pinch you can even use a hand-crank manual drill, such as the Fiskars model, seen here.

• a small hammer <here>

• Rawhide (leather) mallet <Here>

• Lineman's pliers (a new, cheap and SUPERB pair can be found <here>

• jewelry pliers: a round-nose (an appropriate one for the class can be found <here>), and a flat-nose <here>

• Waxed linen thread. Any weight (ply) will work, but 3- or 4-ply will suit us for the class. There are many sources online, but not many places will sell small spools of it. A large 100-yard spool of Irish waxed linen thread will cost you around $12-14. If you don't have any already, I might suggest visiting this site and ordering small spools in a selection of colors you like - I'd say at least 2 colors, and more will give you more choice. An alternative resource, albeit one with little choice in colors, can be found here.

• Sharp small scissors

• Scribe <Here>

• Sheet metal If you already have a lot of sheet metal around, bring that. It's important that you have at least some that is thick enough to be rigid. The range of thickness I'd suggest is from 22 - 20 gauge. Copper or brass is best. <Here> is a brass sheet of 12" x 12" 20 gauge that will do well. A nice sample pack of different weight copper is <here> and brass, if you prefer, is <here> - either is fine.

•Hard-wire shear cutter <here>

• standard steel drill bit set <here>

• extra 1/16" drill bit <here>

• 'Re-bar tie wire' <here> (also found in most hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black). If you are travelling light, snip off about 1/3 of the roll which should be plenty. No need to bring the whole roll...it's heavy!

• roll of 19 guage 'dark annealed' steel wire: <here>

• spring-loaded, or 'automatic' center punch. Perfect one <here>

• 2 bar clamps - a mini <here> and a micro <here>.

• 3M Micron Polishing Paper - set of 6 sheets <here>

• DAP brand KWIK-SEAL Kitchen & Bath caulk- CLEAR: <here>

• tweezers

• small table bench vise <here> DON'T bring the kind that swivel on a ball-joint (hobby/light-use), or a hollow construction vice - the one you'll need has to be similar in design to the one pictured.

• Flush-cutting pliers. An absolutely BRILLIANT pair of flush-cutters can be found <here>. Scroll down to where it says "Full Flush Power-Max Cutters". They cost around $29. If you cut wire with any frequency, these are more than worth the money. I covet my pair, which I paid way too much for ($70!), but even so, I wouldn't give them up for anything. However, if you want a cheaper alternative ($17), these will do - <here>

• Found Objects Since this is the focus of the class, you, um, need them. Bring a large variety of small things to play with. For a long list of possibilities, you can check out my supply list for Precious Little <Here>.

• Extra-Fine point Sharpie

OPTIONAL TOOLS:

The tools below are not required for the class; they're helpful, so don't run out and buy them all. They would facilitate you to go in many directions with your work. Bring what you have, and you'll be fine.

files
screwdrivers
tin-snips or metal shears
hacksaw
circle / geometric templates
masking / scotch tape
sandpaper - as many grades of wet-dry paper as you can get
paint brush

And any tools particular to a media you are conversant in...if you're a book artist, bring materials for binding, etc., painters bring your paints and sketchbooks...and those who've never ventured out into creative waters bring some junk and an open mind!

 

Please email me with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.

See you there! Keith