Virtual Courses

In this class, we will be going over how to make a pendant and a ring using the Shapr3D software. If you have never used a CAD program before, Shapr3D is one of the most intuitive programs out there and is a great start to an ease-in into the world or computer aided design!

This virtual workshop explores some of the many techniques the instructor has discovered using liquid polymer clays. Class will begin with the basics such as mixing colors, using raw versus baked clay, and tools for application, before moving on to exploring some of the super powers of liquid polymer, including techniques for creating backgrounds, using stencils/masks, exploring mark making, and playing with sgraffito.

In this virtual workshop students will focus on a variety of different ways that texture can be created both on the surface of metal and in a 3D format, by manifesting dynamic hand tools with easy, straightforward applications. Course objectives will cover traditional and less common styles of tools used by artisans for generations. Additional focus will be placed on the value of form and design in order to develop unique, specialized tools that enhance, embellish, and personalize your jewelry work. 

Working from personal sketches and reference images, learn how to incorporate chiaroscuro drawing techniques into vitreous enamel. demonstrations will be given on metal preparation, enamel sifting, stencils, use of painting oils, underglazes, overglazes, and seed beads.

Kick your enameling skills up a notch with the cloisonné enameling technique, a method of enameling which utilized thin wire to create walls and line work within enamel, allowing for sharp separations of color to be used in imagery. Students will learn wire bending, firing, wet packing, and finishing 

This virtual, seminar-style workshop will cover everything you need to know about selling your jewelry online! From creating a consistent and effective content strategy to leveraging email marketing and social media to sell jewelry, this class will cover it all!

This virtual course will delve into the inherent potential of the jeweler's saw frame. Students will begin by learning the fundamentals of using this indispensable tool, from blade selection and tension to grip, bench pin options, body positioning, angle, pressure, and more. After covering the basics, the class will shift gears as Erica demonstrates two different project options - tab setting a cabochon, coin, or found object (two ways) and slot connections with built-in tab/prong setting for cabochon or faceted stones.

Explore synclastic forming, anticlastic forming, and spiculums, while learning to hammer comfortably and with control. In this live, virtual course, students will create concave and convex curves to transform a flat piece of metal into elegant fluidity through domed synclasts, saddle-like anticlasts, and tapered tube spiculums. 

This virtual class will focus on fabricating a negatively pierced and layered earring component which can then be transformed into numerous earring formats from stud or post earrings to various types of hoops and dangles. Best practices for hand-finishing will also be discussed. 

This demo-centered virtual course will focus exclusively on two distinct stone setting processes, bead setting and hammer setting on a thick walled tube. Students will be guided on how to expertly hold and use bead setting tools, how to measure and construct an extra thick tube, and then how to hammer set a round faceted stone. Learn to to add perfect highlights to nearly any surface and create a clean visual frame that emboldens your stones!

In this demo-focused virtual class, students will learn how to make a large yet comfortable sterling silver hollow-backed ring with a large cabochon stone bezel-set in 22k gold.

In this live virtual workshop, students will build a grounded understanding of working with polymer clay and add a unique design aesthetic onto their jewelry making repertoire. Color mixing, cane construction, clay conditioning, and more will be covered. 

This virtual course will focus on carving wood earrings, which are an excellent small-scale introduction to many carving processes and techniques. After learning the carving process, students will be introduced to wire inlay possibilities as a surface embellishment. Attendees will come away with an understanding of the working properties of wood, the tools needed to manipulate wood on a jewelry scale, and a variety of ways to incorporate it into jewelry work.

This virtual workshop explores some of the many techniques the instructor has discovered using liquid polymer clays. Class will begin with the basics such as mixing colors, using raw versus baked clay, and tools for application, before moving on to exploring some of the super powers of liquid polymer, including techniques for creating backgrounds, using stencils/masks, exploring mark making, and playing with sgraffito.

This 2-day virtual class will cover various approaches for hand carving wax prototypes for larger, bezel-set faceted stones. Class topics will focus on design options and aesthetics, structural aspects for durability and longevity, wax types, and tool needs. Class will conclude with how to finish a wax model and proper spruing methods. Casting will not be covered. 

Learn to add visual intrigue to your jewelry in this virtual workshop which will go over several different methods and styles of wire twisting, as well as some examples for jewelry application. Students can choose to purchase the materials kit and follow along or absorb the information in this demo-focused course.

Add a little pizzazz to your jewelry! This virtual workshop will teach students to transform flat sterling silver sheet into a dimensional bead using the natural world as inspiration. Participants will learn how to translate botanical motifs into metal cut-outs, how to expertly piece designs, how to build the body of the bead, and how to then sweat soldering the imagery onto the bead, for an elevated and personalized aesthetic.

In this live, virtual workshop, students will explore the use of steel sheet as a jewelry component, as well as simple prong settings. The class will focus on working with 20 gauge mild steel sheet, silver tubing, and steel wire to create dynamic sheet metal jewelry..

This virtual course offers participants the chance to learn lapidary techniques for carving stones from the comfort of their own studio bench! No large lapidary equipment required! Students will be shown numerous diamond bits to achieve a variety of designs and textures, as well as how to polish those carvings. Ryan will also cover the process for creating laminations and gold inlay designs in stones!

Making a successful hinge is a critical stepping-stone to all sorts of mechanisms and moving parts. In this demo-focused virtual workshop, students will learn how to fabricate a cradle-hinged lid suitable for boxes, vessels, and lockets. 

In this virtual course students will learn how to make a small amount of gold take up a whole lot of space. Techniques covered will include making a gold-sheathed sterling silver band, a gold-rimmed bezel, making bi-metal, and much more!

This demo-focused virtual workshop will act as an introduction to the vast topic of earring design and fabrication. Students will focus on simple and effective ways of using techniques that require no soldering to make elegant kinetic earrings!

So you’ve taken a ton of classes, honed dozens of techniques and skills, and made the samples...now what? In this two-session creative coaching session, participants will discuss how to tease out their inner creative voice and how to apply that aesthetic to make a piece of jewelry that is distinctly their own with Metalwerx instructor and artist, Paulette Werger. Come talk shop amongst a small group of peers with one of your favorite teachers!