12A-2024 – Luca Tripaldi – The Blossom Session

Introduction

The Blossom Session takes place during the lovely spring season and is a chance to learn how to make jewelry in porcelain, finished with goldsmithing elements in brass and  how to make metal settings.

Techniques

The course is designed for those who already make porcelain jewelry and wish to acquire knowledge of goldsmithing for their craft. Students must be able to make porcelain elements independently, since no porcelain shaping or decoration techniques will be taught. Indeed, the technical part on porcelain will focus on how to prepare holes and grooves for the assembly with goldsmithing. Goldsmithing itself will include the creation of various frames for necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and brooches. Furthermore, students will learn how to make clasps, connections and settings of medium difficulty; to stimulate continued experimentation, also more complex forms will be shown. Finally, patination and metal plating will be shown for achieving specific patina. Students will reach full autonomy in the creation of distinguished, refined jewels for themselves or for their clients.

Duration

The duration of two weeks allows for the making of both the porcelain elements and the metal settings. During an excursion to Florence at the end of the first week, students will visit specialized supply stores selected by the teacher. If desired, they may purchase for themselves additional materials and tools such as those used during the course and in addition  tools that are not available at the school like the rolling  mill.  Luca Tripaldi willgive a demonstration on goldsmithing in his private studio in the historical center of Florence. Those who wish can extend their stay in Florence over the weekend, as there will be no teaching on Saturday and Sunday.

Programme

In the Blossom Session, students will first make prototype brass settings, to be completed with readymade porcelain elements provided by the school. This basic knowledge of the goldsmith’s art will allow students to then create appropriate settings for their own designs. After investigating how to shape porcelain elements to accurately fit the metal settings, students will start producing their own jewelry projects. The last day of the course will be dedicated to the patination and the plating of brass, which is the metal predominantly used for settings. Those who wish can also make some silver settings, but will have to buy the silver at their own expense from the suppliers in Florence.

Logistics

A maximum of six participants can be accepted into this course in order that each student can have a generous workspace and the chance to interact closely with the instructor, drawing on his extensive experience. Teaching hours are from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The studio is open from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.

On every class day a delicious midday meal will be served. Lodging  is included as well.

The artist

Luca Tripaldi was born in Turin, Italy. Currently he lives  in Florence where he has his studio. After training in graphic design, he worked for ten years in Mario Audello Studios as a sculptor, making masks and special effects for many opera houses like “Scala di Milano” and “Arena di Verona”. In 1998 he opened his own ceramics studio in Turin. He uses porcelain, preferring unglazed surfaces or only glazed in some parts with crystalline glazes and dry glazes, in order to get strong contrasts. The most part of his jewels are in black or white porcelain, decorated with ceramic transfers. He conducts an intensive teaching activitie, holding workshops throughout Europe and the United States. He writes the technical ceramic section for the Italian ceramic magazin ”La Ceramica in Italia e nel Mondo”. www.lucatripaldi.com