Harrisburg, PA 2026

The Concho: flat or domed, intricately decorated, round or oval metal shallow forms traditionally created by indigenous silversmiths of the desert Southwest as decorative elements for leatherwork and clothing. Ubiquitous, right?  So let’s shake things up, rethink a historical classic, and remix a popular and enduring metal form in a modern, urban, alternative way.

Further details:

Derived from the Spanish word for "seashell," conchos are created using a basic metals technique called shallow or shell forming. Together, we’ll explore the use of various jewelry making tools and materials as the basis for creating a couple of interesting riffs on simple bowl-like forms we have created from square, round or oval base shapes. Explore different attachment systems and learn several kinds of joining unlike materials via rivets, tabs, slots and stitch. Finally, you’ll be able to securely mount finished conchos to different substrates like fiber, leather and vinyl, because you’ll want to wear those works of art!

Skill level: Advanced beginner and up

A physical note: We will hammer on metal. It can be loud. You should be able to stand for a short time to create your bowl-like base forms, be able to tolerate some noise, and be able to use a hammer like you mean it for short 3 to 5 minute bursts of time.

Materials Fee  $65 at beginning of class includes:

Sheet metals of various types: aluminum, brassy copper and recycled steel
Choice of substrates: leather, vinyl, fiber
Coiling wire of several metals: recycled, anodized copper and brass wires
An awl

Supplies Needed  to bring for Class:

Scraps of fabric, leather, vinyl or other materials you’d like to experiment with for mounting your pieces. Everyone has different tastes, so embrace yours and bring what you like…
A notebook and writing materials for your memory
Light source and vision help for your eyes
Ear protection if noise bothers you