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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 covered, specifically bezel setting rounded stones and tube setting faceted gems. Discussions about different metals and their applications in jewelry making will take place throughout the sessions 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, at least one piece of wearable jewelry, and foundational jewelry making skills.
Meet the instructor
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 $65 materials fee for this workshop that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes several pieces of copper sheet (20g, 18g), several pieces of brass sheet (22g, 20g, 18g), silver sheet (20g), copper, brass, and sterling silver wire, fine silver bezel wire, sterling silver rectangular stock, cabochon stone, brass tubing, string buff, screw mandrel, bristle wheels, as well as various other items needed to complete exercises and projects.
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writing utensil and notebook
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closed-toe shoes - required for all Metalwerx classes
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fine-tip Sharpie
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apron
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any hand tools you already own
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a box/container for in-progress projects/supplies
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snacks - if you get hungry! (Metalwerx has a fridge.)