This session explores one of the jeweler’s most essential bench tools—the divider—and its role in creating accurate, repeatable layouts. Through a live demonstration, attendees will learn the process of creating several shapes anywhere you need to place them. With a compass and paper, Jason will walk through the fundamental techniques of accurately laying out common shapes including ovals and pears as well as more rare shapes like pentagrams.

Designed for beginning and developing bench jewelers, this session is ideal for anyone looking to strengthen foundational layout and marking skills. It is also valuable for experienced jewelers who want to improve precision, consistency, and confidence in everyday fabrication work.

Alongside this demonstration, attendees will receive a hand-out with the steps covered in the demonstration to reference during later practice.

About Jason Chandler

Jason Chandler is the founder and primary instructor at Portland Jewelry Academy and has been working in jewelry manufacturing since 1994. Jason has a particular fondness for comparing and contrasting historical methods of jewelry manufacturing with the modern while constantly looking for nuanced ways to combine the two. With a passion for jewelry manufacturing, Jason feels strongly about supporting the profession and passing the knowledge he’s gained over the course of his career onto the future generations of bench jewelers. Since establishing Portland Jewelry Academy in 2014, Jason has expanded to teach more than just Introduction to Jewelry Manufacturing. He now incorporates CAD instruction and offers an advanced skills term (Custom Jewelry and Bead Setting) while providing a unique and close-knit learning community for building the skills needed to become a successful bench jeweler.