The Perfect Connection: Rivets & Hinges

Class Preview

Add dynamic movement to your jewelry with artful cold connections!

Materials & Workstation Setup

Meet instructor Meredith Arnold and preview the fundamental skills you’ll learn throughout class. You’ll discover tips for working with aluminum, brass and copper, choosing the best tools for your work, and maintaining proper form to most effectively saw different metals.

Sawing for Smooth Connections

Once you’re comfortable handling the saw, build those skills with Meredith’s advanced sawing techniques. Tackle curves, corners and straightaways, and discover how to create decorative cutouts in your pieces with pierce sawing. Finally, see how to soften and smooth metal edges to fine-tune your design.

Wire Rivets

Add another essential technique to your toolkit! Meredith gives step-by-step directions on how to incorporate riveting into your work, as either a structural or decorative element. You’ll get in-depth instruction on how to fasten two pieces of metal together with homemade wire rivets. Plus, Meredith shares her tips and tricks for troubleshooting common problems. You’ll also learn how to create several varieties of rivets to enhance your pieces.

Tube Rivets

Delve deeper by learning how to create your own tube rivets. Find out which types of tubes will work best for your projects. Then watch Meredith’s easy-to-learn process of measuring, drilling and cutting a tube with a saw and jig — and joining everything together using an assortment of flaring tools. Add movement to your pieces with Meredith’s simple trick for creating articulated rivets!

T-Hinges

Discover multiple ways that T-hinges can add movement and function to your jewelry designs. Meredith demonstrates how to make the pin version of this hinge by rolling metal flaps into perfectly round tubes. See her technique for filing and fitting the metal pieces together, then adding the pin to set the hinge. You’ll also find out how to make a slotted T-hinge with tabs — perfect for creating stunning bracelets!

Piano Hinges

Learn how the piano hinge can add an element of surprise and controlled movement to your work. Meredith illustrates key elements for attaining the most precise fit and positioning. You’ll also see Meredith’s tips for rolling a tight and uniform tube, as well as her tricks for troubleshooting. Put the finishing touches on your jewelry by adding striking hinge-pin variations!

Advanced Articulation

Use your newfound skills to create a unique — and whimsical — copper pendant with moving parts. Learn how to stage a multi-step project involving both rivets and hinges, and create the pendant right alongside Meredith. You’ll be inspired to apply these skills to creating endless designs of your own!