We want you to get the most out of your experience and every course you take at Metalwerx. To ensure that, our staff works with each instructor to set appropriate skill levels and requirements in courses.
Certain classes require that students have experience with a particular skill such as soldering or stone setting, as described below and in each class description. There may not always be time to review basic techniques in our intermediate and advanced workshops and we don't want anyone falling behind.
Please contact us if:
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You don't meet the set-requirements but really want to take a particular course. If you need some extra practice, we can try to set-up a private lesson in advance to teach you what you need to know to enroll.
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You aren't sure if you meet the requirements for a particular course. We are happy to answer any questions and provide you with more information on what will be covered.
Skill levels and Requirements explained:
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All Levels:
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Open to everyone! No experience needed, but more experienced students may also enjoy this course.
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Beginner:
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No experience needed. This class is meant for people new to jewelry making or those who may want to refresh skills after a long break.
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Basic and above:
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Jewelry 1 skills required. More experienced students may also enjoy this course.
This student should have a very basic knowledge of metalworking and an understanding of how tools are used, but hasn’t had much practice/time to develop yet.
Basic skills include exposure to the following techniques:
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Sawing, Drilling, and Filing.
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Sanding, Finishing, and Polishing metal by hand and using a flex shaft.
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Basic Cold Connections: Has tried riveting, making tabs, or other connections for metal that don't require the use of a torch.
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Basic Soldering Skills: Soldering using sheet metal and wire. Understand different solder types (easy, medium, and hard).
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Basic Stone Setting Skills: Able to bezel set a round or oval cabochon stone.
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Intermediate and above:
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Jewelry 2 skills required. More experienced students may also enjoy this course.
Our Intermediate classes build on foundation skills and expose students to new techniques to broaden their skill set. There may be specific “other” requirement noted on a class description.
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This student should possess a stronger competence with basic skills from additional practice in classes or independent work, but no regular professional usage.
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They should be growing confident using a torch and in performing regular bench tasks including using the flex shaft.
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Some requirements may include
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Intermediate Soldering: Chain Making, Working with Sheet Metal
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Intermediate Stone Setting: Set Faceted Stones and work with Prong Settings.
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Surface Embellishment: Texturing, Basic Patinas.
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Advanced:
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In all of our Advanced Level Classes, a particular requirement will be specified.
This student should possess a good knowledge of metalsmithing and regular bench practice (professionals, experienced students, and serious hobbyists).
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Other Intermediate and Advanced Requirements:
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- Basic enameling knowledge required
- Basic forming experience (using hammers)
- Basic metal clay knowledge required
- Basic chain maille experience required
- Casting and Wax Working experience required
- Sawing and Filing skills required