Age: Teens 16–18

Experience level: Beginner

Format: Two session workshop

Length: Two 2.5 hour sessions, 5 hours total

Class size: Maximum of 4 students

Location: ARIMAS Studio at the Village of Industry & Arts, Philadelphia

Materials: Brass or copper included within the workshop material allowance

Registration includes both sessions. Students should plan to attend the complete workshop.

For students under age 18, all required parent or legal guardian forms must be completed before the first session.

One handmade closed metal bangle in brass or copper.

Students will choose from a studio-approved selection of:

• Round, square, or shaped wire when available
• Pre-cut flat metal strip
• Available widths and profiles
• Brass or copper
• Hammered, satin, lightly textured, or polished finishes

All metal will be prepared and cut to approved project lengths before class. Students will not need to use a jeweler’s saw.

The project is intentionally limited to one bangle so each student has enough time to properly prepare the seam, solder the metal, correct the shape, and complete the finishing process.

Gemstones, charms, chains, oversized designs, multiple bangles, and advanced decorative attachments are outside the scope of this introductory workshop.

During the first session, students will:

• Complete a studio and hot work safety orientation
• Learn how jewelers use heat to soften and shape metal
• Measure for a comfortable bangle fit
• Select an approved metal profile
• Explore texture and surface options
• Anneal the metal under supervision
• Hammer or texture the surface
• Form the metal around a bangle mandrel
• File and prepare the two ends for soldering
• Learn what creates a strong and properly fitted solder joint

During the second session, students will:

• Review torch and soldering safety
• Align and secure the bangle seam
• Solder the bangle closed under supervision
• Clean the metal after soldering
• Correct and refine the bangle shape
• File and smooth the soldered seam
• Sand and refine the surface
• Finish the bangle using the magnetic tumbler
• Add selective hand or rotary polishing
• Photograph and package the finished piece

• How to measure for a comfortable bangle
• How metal responds to heat and pressure
• Introductory annealing
• Safe and supervised torch use
• Hammering and metal texturing
• Forming metal around a mandrel
• How to prepare a clean solder seam
• Basic soldering technique
• Filing, sanding, and edge refinement
• How magnetic tumbling burnishes metal
• Basic hand and rotary polishing
• How to evaluate strength, comfort, and wearability

• Brass or copper for one approved bangle
• Studio-prepared wire or pre-cut metal strip
• Access to required jewelry tools and equipment
• Safety glasses and shared protective equipment
• Solder, flux, and studio-approved cleaning solutions
• Hammers, mandrels, and forming tools
• Files, abrasives, and sanding materials
• Magnetic tumbler access
• Hand and rotary polishing supplies
• Step-by-step demonstrations
• Individual guidance in a four-student workshop
• A pouch or container for the finished bangle

Additional metal, sterling silver, gemstones, charms, chains, and advanced decorative attachments are not included.

Required Clothing

• Closed-toe shoes
• Comfortable and fitted clothing
• Natural-fiber clothing when possible
• Sleeves that are fitted or can be securely rolled up
• Long hair fully tied back

Loose sleeves, flowing garments, scarves, dangling accessories, open-toe shoes, and highly flammable clothing are not appropriate for hot-work classes.

Students may be asked to remove bracelets, necklaces, or other accessories that could interfere with tools or equipment.

What to Bring

• A labeled water bottle
• Curiosity and a willingness to work with their hands

All required tools and standard project materials are provided. Food is not permitted in the active metalsmithing area.

Students who are under age 18 must have all required forms completed by a parent or legal guardian before participating.

Required information and permissions include:

• Student and parent or guardian contact information
• Emergency contact information
• Relevant allergy, medical, sensory, or support information
• Jewelry-tool and material permission
• Hot-work and torch permission
• Studio safety agreement
• Participation and liability acknowledgment
• Emergency-care authorization
• Authorized pickup or independent dismissal selection
• Photo and video preference

Students who are 18 may complete and sign their own participation documents.

Required forms will be sent after registration and must be completed by the stated deadline. A reserved seat does not authorize a minor to participate in hot work without the completed permissions.

Students should arrive no more than 10 minutes before the scheduled start time and must arrive early enough to participate in the complete safety orientation.

For students under 18, the parent or guardian must indicate whether the student:

• Will be signed out to an authorized adult
• May leave independently after class
• May arrive and depart independently

Students will not be released to an unlisted adult without direct confirmation from the parent or legal guardian. Identification may be requested.

Families are responsible for prompt pickup at the scheduled end of the workshop. Late-pickup procedures and any applicable fees are described in the Teen Class Policies.

Families should share relevant medical, sensory, learning, mobility, or support information before the workshop so ARIMAS can honestly determine whether the current studio setup can provide an appropriate and safe experience.

Requests will be considered individually. Sharing information does not automatically prevent participation.

This workshop requires sustained attention, safe tool use, fine-motor control, and the ability to follow instructions around open flame and heated metal.

This workshop involves open flame, heated metal, solder, flux, hand tools, hammers, abrasive materials, studio solutions, magnetic finishing equipment, and rotary polishing tools.

Students must:

• Arrive on time for the required safety orientation
• Pay close attention to demonstrations
• Follow all studio directions
• Use tools only as instructed
• Behave responsibly around flame and heated metal
• Remain within the supervised work area
• Participate in cleanup and safe tool return

A student who misses the safety orientation or cannot follow hot-work safety requirements will not be permitted to use the torch.

Registration covers one student and the complete two-session workshop. Sessions cannot be purchased separately, divided between students, or attended as stand-alone workshops.

Fire + Form is a structured instructional jewelry workshop. It is not a drop-in program or childcare service.

Each bangle will be measured, formed, soldered, and finished by hand.

Small variations in shape, texture, seam appearance, and surface finish are natural parts of the metalsmithing process. These differences are evidence of the student’s hands, decisions, and developing craftsmanship.