Classes

A fast paced class designed to give your creative process and craftsmanship skills a solid foundation. Create a ring, earrings, and pendant. This beginning fabrication class introduces studio safety, use of hand tools, micro-motor, jeweler’s torch, polishing equipment, and more. You learn how to plan your project, drill, saw, file, shape, solder, and polish metal. You make a simple band ring, a pair of pierced earrings with ear wires, and a bezel set pendant. This is a fast-paced class, covering the same curriculum as Basic Fabrication 1, 2, & 3 combined. Although participation in the Tuesday evening Open Workshops is not required, it is recommended for best results.

8 Thursday evenings: 6:00-9:00

February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26

Class Fee: $425. Materials Fee: $75.

An introductory class that demystifies the ancient art of carving wax models, making molds, and casting metal to create a ring. 

Lost Wax Casting dates from antiquity and is still very popular today. During this introductory class you carve a wax model ring and invest it in plaster. Then, using a Neycraft Spincaster machine, molten metal is injected into the empty space left in the plaster after the wax was burned out in a kiln. Taken step by step, and working together, your instructor demystifies this complex but exciting process. You also learn finishing, polishing, and safety. 

4 Evenings: Monday & Wednesday 6:00-9:00

March 9, 11, 16, 18

Class Fee: $175. Materials Fee: $75

Learn to fabricate patterned wire, sawing, soldering, texturing and more using a rolling mill, torch, and hand tools. Design and fabricate two rings in this class. This fabrication class introduces you to a special rolling mill (to make patterned wire), jeweler’s torch, many jewelry-making hand tools, and studio safety. You also learn the skills of measuring with a digital caliper, sawing, soldering, forming, texturing with a hammer, and polishing. Instructor demonstrations guide you each step of the way, with ample time to work on your own projects. You fabricate two rings in this class—one using patterned wire you made, and one hammer-textured band.

Saturday & Sunday: 10:00-4:00

March 14, 15

Class Fee: $150. Materials Fee: $60.

This fabrication class introduces the fabrication skills of layout, measuring, soldering, filing, sawing, bezel setting, and studio safety. Through step-by-step demonstrations and ample working time, you complete a silver pendant set with a round cabochon stone.

4 Evenings: Monday & Wednesday 6:00-9:00

March 23, 25, 30, April 1

Class Fee: $150. Materials Fee: $60.

This foundation class introduces another set of jewelry-making techniques. Through demonstrations and practice time, you learn the basic skills of layout, drilling, sawing, filing, and polishing. During this class you make one pair of patterned earrings, and ear wires.

4 Evenings: Monday & Wednesday 6:00-9:00

April 13, 15, 20, 22

Class Fee: $150. Materials Fee: $60.

The beauty and artistry of handmade chains dates from antiquity. Examples of this exquisite technique are on display in many of the great museums of the world. In this class, you learn the same techniques used by metalsmiths centuries ago to shape and flatten thick silver or copper wire (your choice) into links. After connecting the links, we also fabricate a hand-forged “S” clasp. The repetitive hammering makes a lot of noise, so foam ear plugs are provided and required. If you prefer more serious ear protection, you may bring your own.

4 Thursday evenings: 6:00-9:00

April 9, 16, 23, 30

Class Fee: $150. Materials Fee: $60.

Working in silver, jeweler’s brass, and copper, you increase your skill set while learning to sweat solder and fuse metals. Through instructor demonstrations and hands-on practice time, you learn layout, sawing, filing, fusing, soldering, and the use of an oxidizing patina. After you complete the two introductory practice pieces we do together, either choose from a variety of instructor-provided pendant designs or create one of your own.

Saturday & Sunday: 10:00-4:00

April 18, 19 

Class Fee: $150. Materials Fee: $60.

This foundation class introduces another set of jewelry-making techniques. Through demonstrations and practice time, you learn the basic skills of layout, drilling, sawing, filing, and polishing. During this class you make one pair of patterned earrings, and ear wires.

4 Evenings: Monday & Wednesday 6:00-9:00

April 13, 15, 20, 22

Class Fee: $150. Materials Fee: $60.

The Lost Wax method of jewelry making dates from antiquity and is still very popular today. During this three day intensive workshop you will carve a wax model ring and pendant and invest them in plaster. Then, using a Neycraft Spincaster machine, molten silver is injected into the empty space left in the plaster after the wax was burned out in a kiln. Taken step by step and working together, your instructor will demystify this complex but exciting process. You also learn finishing, polishing, and safety.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9:00-5:00

May 15, 16, 17

Class Fee: $425. Materials Fee: $100.