On May 12th Michael Massie shared with us a workshop where he demonstrated the process of making earrings with wood and silver using a technique called reticulation, where the silver is heated to the point of the surface melting, creating a textured surface.

Tools and Materials:

• pencil

• paper and tracing paper

• ruler

• scribes

• circle or sugars tinplate

• compass

• steel block

• small hammer

• centre punch

• riveting hammer

• flat, needle nose and round pliers

• wire cutters

• torch, propane or butane

• needle files

• emery paper, wet/dry sanding paper, (220-320 grits)

• wood sanding paper, (120-220 grit)

• flat board or wood (6x6” or 12x12”)

• Tass rush

• soap, water, towels, plastic tub (small)

• different size nails

• vice

• jewellers saw or coping saw, (saw blades 2/0)

• Drexel, drill bits (1-1.2 mm)

• small round burr

• double sided tape

• draw plate, draw tongs and oil

• rubber cement

• safety glasses

• silver/brass/copper (sheet(s) .6 mm and 1 mm)

• wood (exotic or local)

• silver wire ( .8 mm - 1 mm)

* These materials are recommended but not mandatory for participating in this workshop. You are more than welcome to join and watch Michael's process.

This session took place online using Zoom. This workshop, like every De-ICE-olation event, was free.

Michael Massie is a mixed-media artist based out of Kippens, NL. Massie’s pieces are often comical and related to his personal life, frequently featuring witty titles. Massie is most well recognized for his silver teapots. His work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally and is held in major public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada. In 2006 Massie’s first curated solo exhibition Silver & Stone: The Art of Michael Massie was held at The Rooms in St. John’s, NL. Massie was elected as a Member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2011 and as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2017. (IAF)

"When I am working in stone or metal, I keep in mind the stories I heard, read or have experienced, to convey my idea(s). I tend to add humour to my work, giving it a bit more life. When working in stone, I tend to keep my Inuit background in mind and when I’m working in metal, I tend to keep my western background in mind. At times I try and bridge the two, giving the viewer a more complete picture of the cultures I am part of.

Very seldom do I make earrings, but in making them, I find the Ulu is a great starting point. The earrings can also take on a geometric design, this is usually because of it starting from a two dimensional surface."