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The Makery

Alternative Chain with Suzanne Williams

Alternative Chain with Suzanne Williams

Regular price $675.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $675.00 USD
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This workshop is being held live and in-person
at our Texas studio!

Can't make the trip?
Live online seats are available at this link!

If you're looking for ways to shake up your chain game, this is the workshop for you! We're welcoming Suzanne Williams back to the studio for a four-day hands-on workshop that will open your eyes to new ways to combine sheet, wire, and tubing... and  the potential hiding in your scrap pile!

In this exploratory, technique-packed class, you’ll dive into a playful (but precision-driven!) approach to chainmaking beyond the standard jump ring. Suzanne will introduce us to a dynamic range of unconventional chain styles—from strip-based and wire-wrapped constructions to scrap-fused and cold-connected links. We'll learn how to:

  • Construct multi-part links with clever hinges and joinery
  • Build dimensional links with tubing, sheet, and wire
  • Use fusing, soldering, and cold connections for innovative designs
  • Design and fabricate your own custom clasps
  • Transform scrap into sculptural, one-of-a-kind chains

Each approach is modular and customizable, so we'll not only wind up with a series of chain samples, we'll also understand how to modify them to best incorporate them into our own pieces going forward. 

This class is best suited for intermediate students who are already comfortable with essential foundational skills like soldering, filing, and finishing. Everything necessary to complete multiple samples will be provided in this workshop – all tools, materials, and equipment - except for scrap silver! (See materials note below.) Students should bring a pen and notebook for note-taking and eye magnification if required.

Information about taking workshops with us
can be found at this link.

Workshop fee (non-taxable): $675

Materials fee (taxable): TBD
(taxable and payable in the workshop)

IMPORTANT MATERIALS NOTE: Given the high cost of silver and the amount of metal required for each chain type, the materials kit will consist of a mix of metals appropriate to the specific chain to keep costs down. Students wishing to work entirely in silver will have the option of purchasing additional materials in class, or bringing their own. A recommended list will be provided to all students in advance of the class. Students should also plan to bring plenty of clean scrap (ie., wire and sheet scrap with no solder). 

Thursday - Sunday
September 11 - 14, 2025
9:30 am to 5:00 pm (central) daily

Note: We recommend bringing your own eye magnification to help you see as clearly as possible while working. Because these needs are so personal, it's impossible for us to have the right thing on hand for every student. Need help with this? Call the studio or send us an email!

 

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About Suzanne Williams

Suzanne is a Colorado resident. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a degree in printmaking and later worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, fine artist, and technician in art/bronze casting foundries before bringing the many facets of her art background together to begin her jewelry-making career in 1990. She has shown her work in galleries, art festivals and shows. Suzanne is always working on developing and applying new techniques and approaches to creating her signature 3-dimensional jewelry such as designing and fabricating unconventional clasps and closures for her work. Hand fabricated clasps and closures have always been an integral part of her designs, but in the past few years she has intensified her exploration and development of new and interesting ways of joining jewelry elements together. She has also more recently been teaching workshops. That includes further exploring and sharing novel and unconventional approaches to the design, functionality and creation of clasps and closure methods.

Visit Suzanne's website