Rethinking Stone Setting
Necklace by Sarah “Spee” Parker.
Rethinking Stone Setting is a survey of numerous stone setting techniques. Students will learn prong setting, bezel setting, flush setting, and more. It is in the learning of these techniques where students will begin innovating within the mechanical bounds of each setting to support unique approaches for making jewelry. Explorations in material-smithing, alternative “stones,” and “breaking the rules” within each technique will be emphasized in this workshop. Be prepared with child-like curiosity as convention unfolds into creative exploration. Some experience in soldering and basic metalsmithing skills is encouraged but not required. All levels welcome.
Sarah “Spee” Parker (she/her) is a Richmond, VA-based sculptor and jeweler. She received an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Parker’s sculptures, installations, and jewelry focus heavily on Americana, punk, DIY, anti-containment, and questioning authorship through the lens of craft. She is part of the Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) Artist Project. Recent works have been included in exhibitions at the Metal Museum, Bario Neal during the 2022 NYCJW, and she recently curated the RJM Rejewelry Competition exhibited during NYCJW 2023.