About the Course
Metal Inlay & Overlay
Work in brass, copper, silver, and gold — two distinct techniques: wire inlay and sheet-metal overlay, using tools you craft yourself.
This course teaches two distinct metalworking techniques across four metals — brass, copper, silver, and gold: inlay, where wire is set into a recessed channel flush with the surface, and onlay, where shaped sheet metal is applied on top of the surface. You'll work with both in geometric shapes and sculpted leaf motifs, craft your own chisels, micro hammers, and gravers customized for the work, then apply everything to a steel bar project, with room to bring your own piece for a personal project.
Class Details
Duration: 5 days (Monday–Friday)
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (one-hour lunch)
Class size: 4 students max
Prerequisite: Hand Engraving I or II given the tool and technique overlap)
What's included: Tools provided for in-class use; materials for your steel bar project are yours to keep. Personal projects use materials you bring yourself.
Skills You'll Gain
Prepare and work with brass, copper, silver, and gold for inlay and onlay projects, including surface prep for optimal adhesion
Craft and customize metalworking tools — chisels, micro hammers, and gravers — for specific project needs
Execute wire inlay (recessed, flush with the surface) and sheet-metal onlay (applied on top of the surface) in geometric and organic designs
Sculpt dimension into onlay leaf motifs for a realistic, dimensional finish
Design and execute silver onlay work with a cohesive visual theme
Troubleshoot common inlay and onlay challenges
Day-by-Day
Day 1 — Metalworking fundamentals: handling brass, copper, silver, and gold; surface preparation for optimal adhesion.
Day 2 — Tool crafting and customization: craft and customize chisels, micro hammers, and gravers for inlay and onlay work.
Day 3 — Wire inlay and geometric shapes: setting wire into a recessed channel, applied to geometric designs.
Day 4 — Sheet-metal overlay and silver overlay design: applying shaped sheet metal onto the surface, sculpting dimension into overlay leaf motifs, and silver overlay design with a cohesive theme.
Day 5 — Class project: apply both inlay and overlay technique to a steel bar project, with time for an optional personal project.
What You'll Leave With A completed steel bar project demonstrating both wire inlay and sheet-metal overlay across brass, copper, silver, and gold, plus progress on an optional personal project if you brought one.