2026 June 19,20,21 Keumboo and Reticulation with Paulette Werger Cost- $560. Kit- $175

2026 June 19,20,21,  Keumboo and Reticulation with Paulette Werger  at Diane Weimer's Studio in Long Beach, CA.  Cost-$560 Kit-$175 

DO NOT PAY HERE... YOU WILL NEED A WAIVER FORM. IT WILL BE MAILED TO ME WITH PAYMENT.

Contact me at diaweimer@gmail.com if interested

Reticulation Process Overview and preparation of 80/20 alloy

Memory Aid

Facts about 80/20 alloy to remember:

Melting point: 1435F/779C  Recommended Annealing point: 1250F/675C

Recommended courses of depletion: 9x

Goal is to raise a fine silver “skin” through depletion of copper on the surface of the alloy. I anneal/quench/pickle 9 times prior to adding gold using the Keumboo process.*If not adding gold then 5 times depleting gives a good surface coating of fine silver.Brass brush with soapy water to clean off surface copper oxide. From course #5-#9 use baking soda and soft toothbrush to gently remove any surface scale. The last course of annealing the metal should be white with no grey or pink areas.The reticules form due to two different melting and cooling points. The inside of the sheet of reticulation is at a lower melting point, the outside fine silver “skin” is higher and does not melt.As the sheet cools the grain size of the two different metals cool and shrink at different rates causing the peaks and valleys to occur.Adding gold via Keumboo interrupts the grain pattern. The gold areas stay flat while the rest of the sheet as it cools forms the reticulated surface. SO COOL!A variety of surfaces that support the alloy sheet while heating will affect the outcome of the peaks and valleys of reticulated surface.I use glass wool or fiberfax material commonly used in ceramics to line kilns.Pumice stones, ceramic soft brick also work well for maximum texture.Solderite pads seem to give a lower texture, more subtle and melting can happen more quickly.Great for organic designs and creation of holes that can be used as part of designs

Paulette Werger Jewelry and Sculpture

“Simple elegance for the body and the home”

My metalwork relates to abstracted botanical form and line drawing. The work is intentionally spare as the first forms of spring or the last of winter. A three-dimensional kinetic drawing, “impermanent tattoo,” inspired by native plants found in the garden and during walks in the hills around my NH home. Whether macro or micro in focus the emphasis is to strip away excess and get to the core of the image, surface and the mechanics of simple function.

About Me:

I am originally from rural upstate New York. My great grandfather was a painter trained in the Hudson River School, who supported a family of ten from his artwork. Growing up, I was surrounded by his paintings and the landscapes that had inspired him. As a child, I spent many hours outdoors rambling through fields and woods, building tree forts and drawing pictures. My family was not surprised when I was inclined toward art and, because of my great grandfather’s example, very supportive. The importance of the natural world has persisted in the narrative of my work.

I also have a love for working with tools influenced by my Dad, who was mechanic. The childhood activities of drawing and fixing things in the garage formed an interest and passion for metalsmithing and jewelry making. Throught the years I’ve been captivated by classical metalsmithing techniques, fusion and forging metal. My neckpieces reference the technique of historical fused link chains in construction but have a narrative that is clearly from this century!

Education and Resume Highlights:

Paulette Werger is studio jeweler and educator living in New Hampshire. She received her B.S. in Painting and Sculpture from the College of Saint Rose and Skidmore College, NY, and her M.F.A. in Art Metal from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She serves on the Board of trustees for Metalwerx, and has been a trustee of Society of

Arts & Crafts, Society of North American Goldsmiths, and AVA Gallery and Art Center with a goal of broadening support for artists, art education and creating community.

About teaching:

Paulette’s classes are demo based with plenty of time to work in studio independently and with her guidance. The puzzle of technique combined with design is discussed and demonstrated through power-point  presentations, teaching samples and demonstrations.

Books, exhibitions and awards:

Mastering Contemporary Jewelry Design, Loretta Lam, Schiffer Publishing

Showcase 500 Art Necklaces, Lark Books

2025 Best in Jewelry Design, Art, Craft and Design Exhibition, League of NH Craftsmen

2025 Innovation Award, Art, Craft and Design Exhibition, League of NH Craftsmen

2023 Museum of Art and Design, NY, “MAD About Jewelry” Invitational/Curated

Exhibition

2023 COMA Conference “Beneath the Surface,” Keynote Speaker, Fort Collins, CO

2023 Armory Art Center West Palm Beach, FL “Verdant Bodies”

2023 Art Center Manatee, Braedon, FL, 2nd place Commendation, “Metalworx,”

2022 League of NH Craftsmen, Best in Multi-Media, “Art Craft and Design.”

2022 Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA, “Craft Forms.”

2021 Attleboro Museum of Art, Attleboro, MA, “By Hand Invitational

Governor’s Award, “Woman of Craft Award and Feature”, NH Magazine, Manchester,

NH