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By Norma Ditmann Fourteen students gathered at Fulda City Hall on Thursday, October 2nd for a metal jewelry stamping class instructed by Jen Anfinson of Jen Anfinson Studios, Paynesville, MN.
Anfinson shared that her background is in a variety of areas in the jewelry industry, including design, goldsmithing, setting, buying and selling.
During the past ten years, Anfinson has been teaching jewelry and art technique works. Her goal has been to share creativity with as many people as she possibly can.
Thursday’s metal jewelry stamping class began with a welcome to the students by Anfinson. She described the basics of the two-hour class, pointing out that each student would be working at their own pace to achieve their desired metal bracelet design.
“Metal jewelry stamping is a craft that enables you to make pieces for someone else, anddefinitely for yourself. I am going to hand out metal blanks for you to practice on,” Anfinson explained. “Then after you practice and feel competent, you can choose a 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch aluminum, brass or copper bracelet to stamp.”
The blanks and the bracelets were both 6 inches long. Students took on the challenge of using masking tape to ensure a straight line of “type” across the metal. While stamping, a metal block was placed underneath the pieces to prevent bounce as a hammer was used to strike the stamps chosen by the students. “Be sure you do NOT double tap the stamp with the hammer as that will cause your indentation to ‘jump’, Anfinson warned.
She also instructed that the stamping should begin in the center of the bracelet, so the space should be carefully measured. Spacing is of great importance to make sure the completed piece is very legible.
Anfinson had provided a listing of words and sayings that could be stamped onto the bracelets. Students could choose from those or use one of their own.
When the stamping work was done, Anfinson demonstrated the tools that she uses to bend the bracelets. Tools used included a bracelet bending plier, a bending bar and a jewelry mandrel, which guides the shaping process for a consistent, round form. Great care is given to the bending process to make sure the bracelet fits the wrist is was made for.
Students were encouraged to go forward with the skills they had learned to continue to make jewelry as gifts or to enhance their own collection.
The class was sponsored by Fulda Memorial Library.
