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Jewelry 1

This weekly class presents students with the fundamentals of jewelry and metalsmithing skills. Among the many techniques we will cover, students will learn how to effectively shape, join, polish, texture, and patina metal. Other jewelry techniques such as stone setting will also be briefly covered as well. Discussions about different metals and their applications in jewelry making will take place throughout the session and students will learn the “whys” and “hows” of metal as they are working with it. Students can expect to walk away with many samples and at least one piece of wearable jewelry, and the skills required to produce further work.

Meet the instructor

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William Vanaria is a Massachusetts based artist with a penchant for oddball materials. His work utilizes traditional metalsmithing techniques and a wide verity of non-traditional materials to produce jewelry which both questions and comments on notions of romanticism, value, fakery, and the hierarchy of materials present within modern day consumer culture. Through his work he pushes for a broader system of value which has been formulated though experience, consideration, and critical thinking.

William received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a concentration in "Jewelry & Metalsmithing" in 2012. Afterwards, he spent time working within the jewelry industry and volunteering as a teacher's assistant for various art institutions. He found that the latter was much more fulfilling, so he went on to further his education within the arts and to pursue a career in teaching. William received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts: Dartmouth in 2016; once again with a concentration in "Jewelry & Metalsmithing."

Materials & Tools

There is a $50 materials fee for this workshop that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes sheet metal and wire in copper, brass, and sterling silver, as well as various tools needed to complete exercises and projects. 

Students should bring
  • Sketchbook and writing utensil
  • Fine tipped permanent marker
  • OPTIONAL: Cabochons for personal projects.
 

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