AUGUST WORKSHOPS
Please DO NOT use cell phones for online registrations until further notice - Please use a Desk/Laptop or Tablet
3 Hour "One Shot Samplers"
Concise workshops based on a single project from start to finish.
Introducing students with no experience to the magical world of Jewelry and Silversmithing.
8/8 Stamped Medallions Tuesday 10:00 - 1:00
Whether it's a pendant, key ring or tag for your pet, this is a great way to try your hand at making jewelry! Each student will be given discs to stamp their favorite words on or to create patterns instead. It can include your sentiments for the recipient, contact info for identification, medical alerts or your favorite quote. Drill a hole, polish, add a jump ring and you're all set to add it to your chain, key ring or collar.
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $50
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
8/9 Simple Earrings Wednesday 10:00 - 1:00
Take your jewelry making hobby to the next level by making all of your own metal parts to compliment the beads you already have. Learn techniques using pliers to shape wire, hammers to forge areas and torches to make headpins. This mini-class will focus on wire incorporating beads. You’ll walk out wearing your creations with the knowledge to make more (the wire wrapping on 8/16 will broaden your knowledge of making ear wires).
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $50
Lab Fee: None
Materials: $10
8/15 Egyptian Spiral Anklet Tuesday 10:00 - 1:00
This workshop will introduce students to chain making using only pliers making it perfect for beginners and hobbyists of all ages. It is a repetitive and addictive technique resulting in amazingly beautiful chains in virtually any metal because the links are not soldered or fused closed. Start with a spool of wire, cut and shape the links, assemble them and viola! You’ll walk out of a 3 hour class wearing your creation with the knowledge to make more while sitting at the beach, on the porch, in the car or even in front of the television!
CAUTION: Highly Addictive and appropriate for all ages.
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $50
Lab Fee: None
Materials: $10
8/15 Helm Parallel Bracelet Tuesday 2:00 - 5:00
This workshop will introduce students to chain making using only pliers making it perfect for beginners and hobbyists of all ages. It is a repetitive and addictive technique resulting in amazingly beautiful chains in virtually any metal because the links are not soldered or fused closed. Start with the specific jump rings provided and learn the "stitch" to create this particular pattern, assemble them and viola! You can make more while sitting at the beach, on the porch, in the car or even in front of the television!
CAUTION: Highly Addictive and appropriate for all ages.
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $50
Lab Fee: None
Materials: $20
8/16 Simple Earrings Wednesday 2:00 - 5:00
Take your jewelry making hobby to the next level by making all of your own metal parts. Learn techniques using hammers and stamps to texture the sheet metal, disc cutters to stamp circles and drills to make holes if dangles are desired. This mini-class will focus on using sheet metal to create your own shapes (the wire wrapping on 8/16 will broaden your knowledge of making ear wires & jump rings).
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $50
Lab Fee: None
Materials: $15
Skill Level: No experience necessary
8/16 Wire Wrapping (for ear wires & clasps) Wednesday 6:00 - 9:00
Working with wire is a quick and accessible way for beginners to start assembling jewelry with minimal tooling making it perfect for a home based hobby or business. Learn how to connect objects together using a double wrap, make dangles with a single wrap, create ear-wires, headpins and simple clasps. This class is also perfect for beaders who want to expand their skills and eliminate the need to buy findings. The use of beads will add color and value to the simplest design you’ll be proud to “show and sell.”
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $50
Lab Fee: None
Materials: $10
1 DAY WORKSHOPS
10:00 - 4:00
Fri 8/4 It's All in the Name
Do you attend events that require you to wear a “Hello, my name is” badge? Why not make your own signature into a classy metal pendant to express your identity? In the process you’ll learn the basics of jewelry making including: sawing, drilling, filing, sanding and polishing. It’s a great conversation piece and there’s no doubt people will remember you AND your name.
Skill level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $5
Sat 8/5 Carve Your Own Rings (for Casting)
Learn how to carve, file, melt and manipulate wax to create your own design that will be cast into the metal of your choice (gold of any karat, silver, platinum etc.). The methods of centrifugal and vacuum casting will be discussed, however the actual casting will be done at a casting house. This workshop will give you the technical knowledge and resources to be intimately involved in the creation of your symbol of love, friendship & commitment. Once the castings are complete they can be cleaned up in the finishing workshop on Sun 8/27 (or other arrangements can be made).
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $15
Sun 8/6 Loop-in-Loop Chain Making
Byzantine style Etruscan chains date back to antiquity and are still made by hand to this day. Students will learn the basics of taking fine silver wire and wrapping it around a dowel to make a coil, cutting it into individual links that are fused closed using a torch, shaping and then assembling a variety of different chains. We will focus on learning the various “stitches” allowing students to continue their studies at home. This technique requires very minimal equipment and the results are professional quality chains that impress everyone and are truly a labor of love. Caution: Extremely addictive!
Skill level: No experience necessary, Good eyesight is!
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: Payable in class - 20’ Fine Silver Wire (market price, approximately $45)
Fri 8/25 Cold Connections Intensive
Cold connections make it possible to combine elements that can't take the heat of a torch or the humiliation of that 4 letter word, glue! Quality craftsmanship is possible with rivets, tabs, prongs and wire wrapping. This 1 day class will focus on rivets in particular; balled or tapered head, countersunk and tube rivets will be demonstrated with ample time for students to try each technique. The ability to combine metal with other materials is greatly increased by these techniques. Other options will be explored as needs arise.
Skill Level: Basic 101 & 2
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
Sat 8/26 Soldering Intensive
This one-day workshop is geared for students interested in learning how to solder everything from jump rings to elaborate constructions. Get an in-depth knowledge of what torch is appropriate for your needs, the difference between solders and fluxes, as well as a variety of soldering techniques including butt joints, sweat and point soldering. The use of heat sinks, binding techniques and set-up will be covered as well. There are many approaches to soldering. This workshop will help make you more comfortable with a torch in your hand.
Skill Level: Basic 101 & 2
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
Sun 8/27 Finishing Intensive
This workshop is for students who have basic skills but want a concise understanding of how to complete professional quality pieces. Learn a variety of techniques (both hand & machine) to de-sprue, grind, file, sand, tumble, satin finish, texture and polish to bring your designs to life. "Clean up" can make or break a piece; a beautiful design can lose appeal if fine craftsmanship isn't applied, a plain design can be exquisite with attention to detail. Demystify the range of finishing options by hand (files, sandpaper) or machine (belt sander, polishing machine, tumbler and the incredible versatility of the flexible shaft). Depletion gilding, antiquing and texturing will also be discussed.
Skill Level: Basic 101 or equivalent
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $10
Materials: Bring any unfinished pieces you might have, or use scrap metal to experiment with the techniques.
6 HOURS in 2 DAYS
6:00 - 9:00
Tues-Wed 8/8-9 Loop-in-Loop Chain Making
Byzantine style Etruscan chains date back to antiquity and are still made by hand to this day. Students will learn the basics of taking fine silver wire and wrapping it around a dowel to make a coil, cutting it into individual links that are fused closed using a torch, shaping and then assembling a variety of different chains. We will focus on learning the various “stitches” allowing students to continue their studies at home. This technique requires very minimal equipment and the results are professional quality chains that impress everyone and are truly a labor of love. Caution: Extremely addictive!
Skill level: No experience necessary, Good eyesight is!
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: Payable in class - 20’ Fine Silver Wire (market price, approximately $45)
2 DAY WEEKEND WORKSHOP
10:00 - 4:00
Sat-Sun 8/12-13 Basic 101- Foundations
Immerse yourself in this fast paced course on the basic tools and techniques used in making jewelry. Demonstrations will be plentiful with hands-on bench-time to cement the knowledge. Sawing, drilling, texturing, filing, sanding, polishing and basic soldering techniques will make time fly. Students can expect to complete 2 projects, a flat pendant or key ring out of sheet metal and a simple ring. Learn to recognize quality craftsmanship in the pieces you currently own or want to buy. The skills acquired in jewelry making come in handy on many levels, even fixing and altering things! This workshop is perfect for those interested in taking more advanced classes requiring basic skills.
Skill level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $200
Lab Fee: $10
Materials: $20
