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Introduction to Jewelry Making

This condensed two-day introductory workshop is perfect for those who have always wanted to learn traditional jewelry-making skills but never had the time. Develop fundamental hand skills, good studio habits, and an appreciation for quality craftsmanship. Students will learn essential fabrication techniques by designing and producing one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Over the course of just wo days, students will learn to cut through metal with a jeweler's saw, pierce out shapes, solder and anneal (soften) metal with a torch, and texture surfaces with hammer. Some time will be spent practicing on sample pieces and finished projects include a pierced pendant, sterling silver ring, and textured earrings.

 

Meet the instructor

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Munya is a metalsmith and educator, living in Berkshires, Western Massachussets. Born in Faribault, Minnesota, she received a BFA from Drake University, an MA from San Diego State University, and an MFA from California State University, Fullerton. She was artist-in-residence at the Oregon College of Art and Craft and has taught at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas; Penland School of Crafts; and the Massachusetts College of Art, just to name a few.

Munya employs skills generally associated with fibers and textiles in the making of original jewelry and sculpture, and she is regarded by many as an authority on combining metal and fiber techniques. Photographs of her work have appeared in Metalsmith, Niche, American Craft, and Arline Fisch's Textile Techniques in Metal. She is an award-winning metalsmith who has exhibited nationally and internationally for 45 years. Her exquisite metalwork is in private and public collections through the United States and Europe.

"The evolution of one's work is like a memoir in progress. Narrative work coexists with functional work and both say something about the maker. The work may depict one's childhood dreams, a circutious journey through life, or serve to enhance a ceremony. Whatever the statement or purpose, the work is genuine and revealing.

My work is represented by both sculptural and functional objects. The sculptures portray aspects of my life from childhood to adulthood. The pieces are about dreams, pain, surprises and realizations. Though the imagery ranges from non-representational to figurative, all the sculpture, in one way or another, documents my memories. The work is both evocative amd cathartic, and serves as my unwritten memoir.

The Jewish ceremonial pieces evolved out of a desire to create beautiful objects for weekly and yearly ritual celebrations. I am intrigued by the history of these objects as well as the challenge to design pieces for use in a contemporary setting. Most of the Judaica contains woven elements which create a uniquely rich, textural surface. These surfaces, combined with clean simple forms, express my design sensibilities and my attempts to make ritual objects that elevate the ceremony with which they are associated." - Munya

Materials & Tools

There is a $50 materials fee that is payable to the instructor at the workshop. The kit includes saw blades, sterling silver sheet and wire, copper and brass sheet and wire, sandpaper, and jump rings to complete all projects.

 

Students should bring
  • Small hand towel
  • Tool box (shoe box, plastic tackle box etc.)
  • Old tooth brush (for cleaning)
  • Ruler
  • Ultra Fine point Sharpie permanent marker
  • Sketchbook, pen and pencil
  • Reading glasses if you need them to see at a close distance
  • Rubber band/hair elastic if you have long hair so you can tie it back for safety

Optional:

  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
  • Files
  • Other tools you already have on hand
 

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