One of the most important things a student should do after learning basic metalsmithing skills is to practice them as much as possible, and you will get the opportunity to do just that in Jewelry 2. Students will elaborate on those basic techniques and use them as a stepping stone to create more complicated pieces and designs. Topics covered will include intermediate to advanced soldering techniques, piercing and filing skills, creating settings for stones or other objects, fabricating hollow forms and/or boxes, scoring, and of course, finishing. The instructor will also demonstrate tricks and shortcuts she's learned over many years of experience and hard work. 

This fun and fast paced workshop will cover two techniques for creating silver earrings that are simple to make and striking to wear.

Explore creating unique three-dimensional forms for jewelry working with fine iron wire and enamel.  Demonstrations will be given on how to construct wire forms and incorporate weaving into the piece. Once the wire element is complete, students will learn to apply enamel to this tricky surface using liquid enamel. After students complete their enameled components, they will construct a secure setting so it can be safely worn. Demonstrations will be given to explain several setting options; prong, tab, bezel or a mix!  Each person will choose a setting that best suits their wire form.

This condensed exploration of metalworking fundamentals is perfect for those who have always wanted to learn jewelry-making but never had the time. Saw, anneal, solder, file, texture, solder inlay, and more while creating one-of-a-kind jewelry!

Micro pulse arc welding is widely known to be a useful tool to increase efficiency with basic bench tasks such as ring sizing, connections near heat-sensitive stones, and repairing porous castings. It works well on gold, silver, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, and copper, whether connecting tiny jewelry components or larger elements for small metal sculptures. Our pulse arc welder can go well beyond these general jobs to include tacking complex pieces before soldering, welding long seams for hollow construction, and connecting dissimilar metals such as titanium to gold.

Add color and style to jewelry with resin inlay in this mini-workshop at the brand new Weston Art and Innovation Center!

This class will allow students with beginner skills to work on projects that they have started and/or imagined.  It is perfect for perfect for students who have explored jewelry and metals in another class or workshop, and wish to receive further instruction to develop new techniques and expand on their existing knowledge. Over three days, students will learn about basic hinges to create movement, box construction (for jewelry or small objects), and alternative setting techniques.  

Jump into this three day class for a fun exploration of all things ring! Combine fabrication techniques in gold and silver, argentium fusion, embossing, direct casting, creative use of scrap and more to create one-of-a-kind rings. Add value and color to your jewelry by adding a touch of gold to a silver piece. This class not only combines gold and silver, but also classical techniques with practical shortcuts for making work efficiently. From elegant to funky, we will look at ways to make rings that are unique to your taste. 

Do you find yourself struggling with questions about studio equipment including proper care and maintenance for your tools? Have you ever wondered what the best flex shaft attachment may be for a particular task? These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed in this seminar with professional jeweler, John Kennedy. The day will be a mix of discussion and demonstrations as appropriate. Topics on the agenda include hand tools and proper use, shop equipment and supplies, metal preparation and finishing, polishing and cleaning, general jewelry repair / ring sizing, casting overview, bench tips, and of course, safety. 

Micro pulse arc welding is widely known to be a useful tool to increase efficiency with basic bench tasks such as ring sizing, connections near heat-sensitive stones, and repairing porous castings. It works well on gold, silver, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, and copper, whether connecting tiny jewelry components or larger elements for small metal sculptures. Our pulse arc welder can go well beyond these general jobs to include tacking complex pieces before soldering, welding long seams for hollow construction, and connecting dissimilar metals such as titanium to gold.

Have you always wanted to learn to make jewelry but never had the time? If that is the case, this condensed three-day exploration of beginning jewelry basics may be your ideal solution. While completing a ring or pendant with a stone set in it,  students will learn foundational skills that are necessary for all metalsmithing projects. 

Ring in the holiday season by creating your very own jingle bell! Over the course of just one day, students can expect to learn the forming and finishing techniques needed to create a bell that rings. Participants will start by cutting out their bell shape template from flat sheet metal.  Then, using simple forming tools, discover how to hammer the form of the jingle bell, and finish it off by polishing and adding wire for hanging as a necklace or decoration!

Learn how to hold a stone using only wire and create a tear-drop style silver pendant. We will be using a variety of wires and pliers to bend, tie, and form a pendant with a secure center stone. This will include learning different weaving, coil, and framing patterns. These are all cold-fusion techniques, no heat or glue involved, and no hammers necessary. These wire working methods can be applied to other areas of artistry to accentuate your work with wire. 

The necklace has endured the test of time as one of the oldest and most popular forms of body adornment. It has been made by every culture and in every single material imaginable, but yet the possibilities for this jewelry object are continuously expanded upon by makers almost every single day. Learn how to create a necklace from start to finish: design, fabricate, polish, and adorn yourself with a dynamic and personalized neck piece in record time. 

Keum Boo provides a cost efficient means of introducing high-karat gold to jewelry designs while simultaneously adding texture, pattern, and color. Embellishment techniques such as roller printing and adding a patina, will also be demonstrated to enhance and emphasize metal surfaces.The class will be a combination of teacher demonstrations with ample time built in for student practice and fabrication. 

Applying the right finish to a piece of jewelry is one of the most important aspects of creating successful work. There are countless ways to finish jewelry, from the flawless mirror finish seen in commercial jewelry, to the matte brushed finish popular with many art jewelers. In this workshop, students will learn industry level tips, tricks, and techniques and produce several of these finishes on pre-made ring bands. Students are also encouraged to bring in personal work to get feedback and suggestions on how to finish it.

Low temperature brazing, (otherwise known as soldering) is one of the most important, fundamental, and at times tricky technique employed by the modern jeweler. In this workshop students will brush up on soldering techniques and learn strategies to hot join even the most perplexing solder joints.

Gemology is the study of gem materials, including their description, identification, origin and usage in jewelry and ornamentation. Gemstones are also used as a commodity, and being able to evaluate and identify them is focus of a gemologist’s job.

Explore the exciting potential of screen-printing original drawings, existing imagery, and repetitive patterns onto an enameled surface while also learning to adapt these methods for use in the sgraffito technique. 

Learn how to utilize a tool you use every day to capture beautiful images of your work!