MARK RAMSOUR " Jewelry Finishing & Findings 101"

We are sorry that we have to cancel this workshop. All fees paid will be refunded.

Mark will focus on demystifying polishing tool choices, pros and cons, improving finishing skills, adding professionalism to your hand finishing techniques and featuring safe practices. Guided step by step process to achieve the finish that you have always wanted with many shortcuts revealed. Discussion and demo of common jewelry findings -- commercial vs. custom made. Some types will include belt buckle, bola tie, pin back, earring post, wire and clip. Bring projects complete except for findings and finish.

BIO: Mark has made his living making jewelry since 1973 when he earned his Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University. In Seattle for three years, he was head of production and lead jeweler for Bomac International Corporation. In Tucson he has worked for many companies including Abbott Taylor and Phyllis Woods designing her production line where he gave seminars in improved mass production, enabling jewelers to make more jewelry better and faster. For over ten years mark has been an artist/teacher in residence for Tucson Parks & Recreation and as adjunct faculty of Central Arizona College. His Publications include:

• June, 2002 “Featured Artist” in Trish McAleer’s Metal Corrugation Surface Embellishment and Element Formation for the Metalsmith
• January, 2010 JEWELRY ARTIST Magazine featured an article written by Mark Ramsour “Classic Agate Cuff Project: Create a Timeless Design for a Fantastic Stone”. This process explores the creation of simple appliques created without a pitch bowl – a process unique to mark called “Stump Repousse”.
• June 1999 Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Mark’s featured article was on “Forge Welded Mokume Gane”
• June of 1999 and February, 2010 TUCSON EZ-GUIDE Magazine (Complete Guide to the 2010 Tucson Showcase) featured an article written about longtime jewelry instructor Mark Ramsour “Mark Ramsour: Friend of Fire, Lover of Tools, and 36 Tucson Gem Shows”.
  

SKILL LEVEL: Experienced beginner to Intermediate

WORKSHOP FEES: $130 ADC Members/$155 Non-Members

Material:

To explore a variety of jewelry findings both custom and commercial students should bring any projects in progress or incomplete due to lack of findings. This should include findings parts and/or materials to produce them. A thorough discussion of relative merits of hand made vs. manufactured elements will be undertaken. Many demos will be presented including the possibility of "fixing" troubled pieces.

The finishing part of the workshop will be interwoven in the presentation. Students should bring all manner of buffs, compound and wheels associated with their polishing process. Include any and all attachments for the flex-shaft/Dremel hand finishing method. Due to a limited availability of said flex-shaft handpieces at the venue, anyone with a Dremel-type unit should bring them. Any and all mandrels, wheels, bits, burs etc. will be helpful in understanding the depth and breadth of what is available for hand finishing. This includes all files, sand-and emery papers etc.

If this seems too vague and/or you have further questions please call: Mark Ramsour @ 520.881.4540