2009 Workshops

Between my husband and myself, quite a few learning opportunities are coming up in the next few months.

*****40 Years of Metals at UWL *****

- a celebration of 40 years of learning with Professor Bill Fiorini. Bill is retiring at the end of May. To help him celebrate, five alumni are coming to present demos for two days in March.

Dale Wedig
Ted McDonah
Becky McDonah
James Viste
Bradley Nichols

March 27th and 28th, University of Wisconsin La Crosse metals studio. Free of charge.
for more information, please call 608-785-8232 or email fiorini.will@uwlax.edu

*****Tunnel Mill Spring Workshops in Minnesota*****

Adjustable Forged Candlestand

Tom Latane, Instructor

April 30, May 1, and May 2.

Class will cover the traditional skills involved in constructing an adjustable tabletop candle holder. Students will begin by forge welding the tripod base and forming penny feet. the vertical staff will be tenoned into the center of the tripod. Mortise and tenon joinery will also be used to assemble the frame holding the springs which hold the crossarm in place. Candle cupsand drip saucers will be forged. Decorative filing will be demonstrated as well as a decorative finial to inspire students who wish to carry the projectbeyond forging and assembly.

Inlay and Stamping Techniques

Bill Fiorini, Instructor

May 29, 30, and 31

Bill will be doing tool making, inlay techniques and stamping techniques used by the Japanese to embellish the decorative parts of a sword. It will be for beginners through advanced students, including students that I had in the last class. The students will need to bring their own hand tools and a list will follow.

Exploring chasing and repousse in silver

Kirsten Skiles, Instructor

2 workshops - June 12 and 13th, and June 25, 26, and 27

Chasing and Repoussé for Jewelry -

For the first session, we will work on a leaf form and turn it into a pendant. For the second session, studentsmay either use their own design, or use one of Kirsten’s (either a rabbit or a flower). That design will be turned into either a ring or pin. In both sessions, students will learn how to use a jeweler’s saw to cut metal. The 2nd session will include basic hard soldering of sterling silver. There will be lab fees to cover the cost of the silver, findings, solder, and flux. (approx $20.00?) We will have torches to share and different handheld portable torch options. A three day class would include making tools, the two day class tools would be furnished. Students will again need pitch bowls filled with pitch or small cast iron skillets filled with a small quantities of pitch.

Future plans: Peter Ross will be coming to the mill in 2010. Also, Nathan and Roger are still on for 2009, but no dates set yet. (see February Forum for more details). We are still looking for ideas and input from YOU! What are your interests? How can we help? Call or email us!

Tunnel Mill is located 85-100 miles south of the Twin Cities near Rochester, Minnesota. Contact for class registration: Carol and John Adams 507-289-4189 or 507-289-5246 Email-jc-adams at msn.com