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Jewelry 2

Once basic metalsmithing techniques and skills are learned for creating jewelry, a desire to expand on those skills is probably the first feeling a student will experience! If you have experienced this feeling, this is going to be a perfect class for you. 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. You will also get to elaborate on those same basic techniques and use them as a stepping stone to create more complicated pieces and designs. Many pieces of jewelry are a combination of many basic techniques which you learned in Jewelry 1. You will get to start new projects, but if you choose, get to finish existing projects you may not have been able to complete during previous courses. Finishing a piece is one of the most important steps in completing a project and will be one of the skills most explored throughout this course.

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 they've learned and taught themselves over many years of experience and hard work. Students will be allowed to go at their own pace in a supportive and exploratory environment. Start new pieces, bring your unfinished projects, or both. Drawing and experimenting will also be encouraged. Demos will be performed which you will get to practice, then use to create a new piece or add to an existing one. Focusing on the techniques you wish to practice most will be the main focus of this course, with guidance, in order for you to become more confident in your skills as a metalsmith and jewelry designer.

Meet the instructor

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Cristina Hurley was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was strongly influenced by art and culture beginning at an early age by her parents, who were classical musicians. She was first introduced to metalsmithing when she attended a class in her senior year of high school. The instructor took Cristina on as an apprentice, which she did for 2 years. Cristina also attended Escuela de Artes Plasticas de San Juan during her apprenticeship, a visual arts university located in the heart of the old city in Puerto Rico. She successfully completed her freshman year there. When her mentor saw a strong natural talent, she suggested Cristina try to attend Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. Cristina took the suggestion to apply, got accepted and made the big leap to move to New England in 1993. She graduated from the Jewelry Department there in 1996. After graduation she moved to New York and worked for a prestigious goldsmithing company, Reinstein/Ross, for six years, where she refined her technical skills making one of a kind pieces in high karat gold, platinum, and precious stones.

Cristina Moved to Massachusetts in 2002 with her family. She worked for various Jewelry companies and then had her own retail store in her hometown from 2010 to 2015. She currently works from her home studio designing and fabricating her own collection of sterling silver jewelry. She also works indepentantly for other various jewelry designers, assisting them in making one of a kind pieces and hand fabricated collections.

Cristina has been making jewelry for 25 years and continues to explore and refine her technique. She currently sells her collection of jewelry online and in stores around New England.

Materials & Tools

There is a $60 materials fee for this class that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes copper and brass sheet, copper wire, sterling silver sheet and wire, as well as a cabochon stone, and various tools needed to complete projects.

 

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