WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
10:00 - 4:00
January/February 2018
Listed Chronologically
-- Please sign up 1 week in advance to avoid cancellation --
Please DO NOT use cell phones for online registrations until further notice - Please use a Desk/Laptop or Tablet
1/6-7 - 2 Day Basic 101 - Jewelry Foundations
Be immersed in this fast paced course on the basic tools & 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 keyring 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
Sold Out
1/13 - Sat Design Your Own Wedding/Commitment Bands
*Part 1 - Wax Carving*
Wedding Bands signify a never ending circle of love, making casting one of the best methods to execute these rings, plus the technique is accessible to nearly everyone. 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 never ending symbol of love. Once the castings are complete they can be cleaned up in the finishing workshop on Feb. 11th (or other arrangements can be made).
Skill Level: No experience necessary
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $20
1/14 - Sun Beginning 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: 20’ Fine Silver Wire (market price, approximately $45)
1/20 - Sat 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
1/21 - Sun Fold Formed Cuff Bracelet
(Lisa Spiros)
This new system of rapid forming uses thin sheets of metal which are annealed, folded, repeatedly forged, and then unfolded to reveal dramatic three- dimensional forms and textures. This is an excellent technique to learn about the elasticity and ductility of metal by working with its natural properties. The organic effects of this repetitive process allows one to create beautiful, natural forms which are enhanced by patinas and oxidation, and are perfect for cuffs and bracelets. Copper is provided.
Skill level: No experience necessary (but it's helpful)
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
1/27 - Sat Anticlastic Forming Cuff Bracelet
(Lisa Spiros)
Anticlastic Forming is a dynamic method of manipulating metal by hammering a metal sheet into two distinct curvatures, which are opposite to one another. Learn to use sinusoidal stakes and delrin hammers to form a wide range
of natural shapes into reflective, corporeal cuffs and bracelets. This is a great way to explore metal characteristics and learn to achieve the results you want in metal forming. Techniques covered in this workshop are sawing, filing, annealing, sinking, bouging, planishing, edge thickening and polishing. Copper is provided.
Skill level: No experience necessary (but it's helpful)
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
1/28 - Sun "The Wire and You"
(Lissa Queeney) Making your own Prong Settings from Scratch
Round wire settings are a very versatile component in jewelry design. Now you can learn how to make your own using silver wire. Whether you want four or six prongs, we will discuss the techniques for making a setting to fit your stone. We will also cover making multiples for production, as well as amorphous shaped wire settings. Students should bring 18 gauge sterling wire to class.
Skill level: Intermediate including soldering skills
Tuition: 100.
Lab Fee: 5.
Material: Bring your own 18 gauge sterling wire
2/3 - Sat Forged Cuff Bracelet
The ancient art of cold forging involves stretching metal with controlled hammer blows against an anvil or stake. Topics covered include: properties of non-ferrous metals, types of hammers and when to use them, how to make the metal move where you want it to, plus a variety of related demonstrations. A cuff bracelet is a great way to learn these basic techniques in a single project you'll walk out wearing with pride. Copper is provided.
Skill level: No experience necessary (but it's helpful)
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
2/4 - Sun Basic Wax Working
Lost wax casting dates back to the bronze age and is still used today, although there have been many advances since then. This class will focus on the wax aspect of the process. Learn how to carve, file, melt and manipulate to create designs for rings, pendants, pins and earrings. The wax can be cast by an outside source into the metal of your choice (including sterling, gold. platinum, brass or bronze) for an additional fee. Once the castings are complete they can be cleaned up using files, sandpaper and polishing techniques either on your own or in another class (*see Finishing Intensive on 2/11). Casting is an excellent way to explore jewelry making without investing a lot of time or expensive metals in the process.
Skill Level: No experience necessary.
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $20
2/10 - Sat Soldering Intensive
This one-day workshop is geared for jewelry students interested in learning how to solder everything from jump ring, posts & bezels to soldering a rim on a raised vessel. 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. (*Please note this class is specific to non-ferrous metals including sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze & nickel)
Skill Level: Basic 101 & 2
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $10
2/11 - Sun 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 castings, any unfinished pieces you might have, or use scrap metal to experiment with the techniques.
2/17 - Sat Bezel Set Pendants
This class is for you if:
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you’re new at making jewelry and want to expand your soldering and stone setting skills
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you took a Lapidary class and want to set your stone
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you’re like a lot of people who have a stone they’d like to set
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you’re a beader who wants to make the centerpiece
A pendant is a mini painting of your creative spirit. This class is perfect for lapidary enthusiasts as well as beaders who want to take their skills to the next level. Learn how to make a bezel from wire, solder it to a backplate of any shape, get creative with the bail and finish it to a professional polish. Try adding decorative elements or multiple stones of different shapes.The possibilities are endless!
Pendants offer tremendous versatility of design because the engineering isn’t hindered so much by weight and size as other jewelry items, yet the bail offers many avenues for functional creativity.
Skill level: Basic skills including sawing, finishing & soldering
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: Variable - payable in class.
2/18 - Sun Round Faceted Stone Setting
In this workshop students will learn the basics of setting faceted stones in prong, tube and flush settings. Terminology, tools, techniques, demonstrations and hands-on samples will be explored. Non-precious metals and cubic zirconia will be supplied so students can work on samples of the techniques. Students can bring their own materials if they prefer precious quality of metals and stones.
Skill level: Basic skills including sawing, finishing & soldering
Tuition: $100
Lab Fee: $5
Materials: $15.
2/24 - Sat Lapidary - Cabochon Forming
(John Latsko)
This one day class will cover cabochon forming semi-precious and precious materials with fundamentals/advanced techniques in a fun and informative way.
Topics will cover: Hardness, Grit, Safety, Sawing, Shaping, Polishing and Critique.
Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate
Tuition: 100.
(Lab Fee: None)
Materials: Supplied for free or bring your own.
2/25 - Sun Lapidary - Faceted Forming
(John Latsko)
This one day class will cover faceting precious gemstones and materials with fundamentals/advanced techniques in a fun and informative way.
Topics will cover: Hardness, Preforms, Laps, Recipe/Sequential diagram, Safety, Forming, Oxides, Polishing and Critique
Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate
Tuition: 100.
(Lab Fee: None)
Materials: Supplied for free or bring your own.