My excitement continues to grow as I get a peak at all the classes that will be available for ArtFest 2012. Since I am only teaching one day, I have been perusing the other two days to decide which classes I want to take. It’s going to be a really difficult decision.
If you’ve arrived here to my blog for the first time, you might be looking for extra details on my class: Bird On A Wire. The little journal is approximately 4 x 6, with room for variations. With a a bent-wire frame for the front and sheet metal backing hammered for texture, the diminutive book is perfect for capturing favorite quotes or daily thought journaling. Here are just a few detail photographs:
By the time we get to ArtFest of next year, I will have several more designs finished. But they will all use the same materials!
Listed below are the same class supplies I have listed on Teesha’s site, but here I have included some links to websites that have examples of what I’m talking about. I know sometimes when I sign up for a class, a supply that seems “normal” to the teacher might be something I have never heard of before. PLEASE, if you are going to purchase a supply, look around for your best prices. I have only provided sites for examples and have not looked for the best prices since it’s been a while since I have purchased these supplies for myself. 
Supplies Required:
- Sheet Metal: Brass, Copper, or Nickel Sheet (24 or 26 gauge) 6″ x 8″
- 20 pieces of handmade/vintage papers (6″ x 10″) nothing too fragile
- 15 pieces of Heavy Weight Watercolor Paper (6″ x 10″) – i.e. Fabriano Hot Press 140 lb. – Jerry’s Artarama has a pad of 140 lb. Hot Press 10-Pack 11×14″ for $9.15 – THIS WILL WORK, even though the requirement originally listed is for 6″ wide. They can be cut in half and one pad will work. We will just need to make sure your journal is no wider than about 5 3/4″. (For my journal, I think I used two sheets of 22″ x 30″ Fabriano Artistico HotPress 140 lb. paper.)
- Scissors for cutting out paper for signatures
- Small piece of cable chain, 3 – 4 inches used for closure, if desired (I used a piece of chain from an old Goodwill find)
- Focal Piece for hanging in the middle of the bird cage, if desired (just in case you don’t like the one provided)
- Few LARGE holed beads for embellishing wire, if desired
- 2 – 3 pieces of organza ribbon (or other type ribbon) for accenting spine, 6 – 8 inches each, if desired
- Pencil and paper for creating pattern (or use mine)
- Small piece or two of rhinestone chain or accent piece (used for decorative what-not on top of cage), if desired
- Sharpie Marker – Extra Fine Point works best
- Ruler for marking up Sheet Metal – Steel Rule with cork backing works best for non-slipping
Optional: If you have any of these tools and can bring them, then you will not be waiting for a tool. However, I will have ALL of these on hand to share.
- Tin Snips (I love mine from BurntOfferings etsy store)
- Small Flat File (for smoothing edges of the cut brass, such as this one shown here from your local hardware store)
- Soldering Iron (such as this one found here.)
- Soldering Iron Holder (such as this one shown here.)
- Silver/Tin Solder (I usually buy what’s on sale, but have good luck with Canfield’s.)
- Flux and Flux Brush (this is the actual brand that I use, but any Stained Glass Flux will work.)
- Small wet sponge for cleaning Soldering Tip
- Sal Amoniac Block for cleaning Soldering Tip (I buy from local stained glass store, but like this one here.)
- Metal Cookie sheet for work surface
- Drill (Dremel tools do NOT work well on flattened steel wire) – like this one here.
- 1/16 drill bits – like these from your local hardware store
- Center Punch – like this one from your local hardware store
- Small Bees Wax for coating drill bit before drilling each hole (VolcanoArts.com you have to hunt for it on the page)
- Small piece of disposable wood for support when drilling holes into metal
- Sheet of 220 grit sandpaper or disposable sanding sponge in fine grit (found in your local hardware store.)
- Ball Peen Hammer (or Regular Hammer) – (thunderbirdsupply.com)
- Steel Bench Block (or Jeweler’s Anvil) – (thunderbirdsupply.com)
- Bench Pillow or dish towel (used to soften the hammering sounds) – (I got mine from The Antique Palette.)
- Round Nose Pliers – (VolcanoArts.com)
- Long Flat Nose Pliers (with or without serration) – (VolcanoArts.com)
- Flush Cut Wire Cutters – (VolcanoArts.com)
- Craft or Book Binding Awl for piercing holes in signatures (Light Duty Awl – VolcanoArts.com you will have to hunt for it on the page)
- Book Binders Needle or Long Needle with large eye – (VolcanoArts.com you will have to hunt for it on the page)
Provided by me:
- 2 yards Waxed Linen
- Escutcheon Pins – used for riveting
- 16 gauge wire (I have brass, copper, steel, and “silver”)
- 20 gauge wire (I have brass, copper, steel, and “silver”)
- focal Tin Bird
- “Donut” beads used for spacers in binding
- Patterns for cutting out Signatures and Cage
- Acetone (Nail Polish Remover) for cleaning Sheet Metal
Note: I will have all my tools there and if you are unable to find/purchase a requested tool, don’t worry about it. We can share what I have, but it will just take you a little longer to get through some of the steps when waiting on a tool. The hammer, anvil, and bench pillow (or towel) are the most desired tools to bring if you have them, because we will be flattening a ton of wire to create the bird cage.
PLEASE, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me 
sherrie AT sherriejd . com
I look forward to meeting fellow journal and bird/nest/art enthusiasts!
sherrie
