Learn how to integrate stone and metal as a whole, rather than as separate objects. Demonstrations include how to shape rough stones, drill through them, make perfect bezels for unique shapes, set stones on top of stones, add decorative rivets, and more.

Learn how to use files to add embellishments to their work through decorative filing techniques. In addition, we will explore this deceptively simple hand tool in depth, and students will learn about the various types of files out there, their applications, how they function, and how to use them to greater effect. This workshop is intended for students who have a basic understanding of the file and jewelry practices, and as such Jewelry 1 or equivalent are required to take this course.

The flexible shaft machine may be the most versatile tool at the bench, yet for many makers it’s also the most underutilized and least understood. Here’s your chance to gain a deeper understanding of this marvelous tool and expand your vocabulary of flexible shaft techniques and applications. 

The workshop will walk through introductory forging techniques to create a custom set of copper/silver chopsticks. We will practice how to taper, texture, and solder to create your personalized set of chopsticks to use at home. Time to heat up your metal and start hammering on the anvil. No experience necessary.

This Chain maille is a two thousand-year-old art form originally used to create garments worn for protection by warriors from Europe, the Middle East and the Orient. Modern approaches use these classical patterns of cold-connected jump rings for sculpture and jewelry. For these non-traditional applications, hundreds of new patterns have been invented.  Our chain maille classes and workshops teach students how to transform some of these classic patterns of connected rings into striking pieces of jewelry.

In this one-day workshop, students will learn a fun and fast way to make unique shaped links by soldering and forming them over shaped bezel mandrels. This workshop will help students fine tune their small-scale soldering techniques and will also show some quick, clean-ups tricks by using the flex shaft. Each student will come away with a handmade link necklace or pendant. For ambitious students who may finish early, there will be the opportunity to make a pair of earrings to match.

This one-day workshop shows students of any skill level how to make series of silver, stackable rings. Learn basic soldering, stone setting, texturing, and stamping to enhance each band for a one-of-a-kind look.

Low temperature brazing, (otherwise known as soldering) is one of the most important, fundamental, and at times tricky technique employed by the modern jeweler. In this workshop students will brush up on soldering techniques and learn strategies to hot join even the most perplexing solder joints.

If you are an experienced jeweler or metalsmith and have always wanted to explore the possibility of enameling, but weren't ready to take an intensive course, this workshop is the one you have been waiting for. Kelly will introduce students to both kiln-firing and torch-firing enamels, making this process completely accessible to anyone with a torch in their studio.

Discover the best ways to deal with customer relations, choose the right craft shows and galleries, speak about your work, and find a balance between making, marketing, and managing a business. This course is hands-on and fast paced with tons of handouts.

This course is about pearls and all you need to know about nature's fantastic beauties — how to buy, care for, knot, and terminate the ends of necklaces — with pearl expert Mary Stachura.

Metalsmithing master Michael Good will lead students through a series of exercises designed to reinforce the principles of Anticlastic Raising - how metal is moved from flat sheet into complex curved forms. This course is similar in concept to our basic class, but designed for students who have some experience so there can be more extensive explanations and so students are able to investigate the technique further than they have before.

Take ordinary, damaged, or chipped cabochons to extraordinary without the need for a full lapidary studio. Over ten weeks, students will learn to cut, alter, refashion and customize cabochon stones with tools that they probably already have at their benches. Bring your scratched, broken, and badly cut stones to turn them into something new!

Students who have completed Jewelry 2 and wish to engage in a challenging technical project may look no further than the aptly named Jewelry 3. Dive into design and conceptual considerations, make findings, alter/refine metal stock, and use the language of embellishment to design and create something where every element has been considered and serves the piece in a visual or conceptual way. 

This introductory course focuses on developing fundamental hand skills, good studio habits, and an appreciation for quality craftsmanship. Students will learn essential fabrication techniques by designing and producing unique, handcrafted jewelry.

Improve stone setting, fabrication, and soldering skills through a series of technical exercises. Open back bezels, bezels made from tubing, flush settings, prong settings, tab and freeform settings will all be demonstrated.

If you love jewelry and have always wanted to try to make a piece you can wear, this class will introduce the fundamental metalsmithing skills you need to let your creativity flow! Learn about the tools, solidify ideas through models and drawings, and get your hands dirty with basic techniques. Students will learn to saw and pierce, file, make cold connections such as rivets, basic soldering, and finishing. Basic stone setting will also be introduced. We will focus on making samples as well as finished pieces such as pendants and rings.

Fabricate a pouring vessel such as a teapot, oilcan, cup, creamer, watering can, etc. Constructing vessels is a faster way to start than using only traditional raising (hammering) techniques.  Additionally, when a hollow form is constructed using tabs, the soldered seams are much stronger and the form can then be manipulated and decorated with hammers to add character! This workshop will be a study in the fabrication and utilization of three forms; tabbed cylinder, truncated cone and a long hollow taper. These forms, once constructed will be combined to form a pouring vessel. 

Learn how to fuse steel and gold to create dramatic mixed metals jewelry! Techniques covered include how to work with mild (cold rolled) steel, and fabrication methods required to create jewelry from steel including sourcing, cutting, forming, texturing, adding Keum Boo, patinating and sealing. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a working knowledge of chasing through detailed demonstrations, experimentation and different assignments. This class will equip students to further explore chasing with confidence and to fluidly express their own aesthetics through chasing. Liza teaches, lectures, and exhibits her chased works nationally, and is the creator of Nechamkin Chasing Tools™. She is a highly skilled and accomplished chaser, specializing in the creation of custom silver pieces that are rich with highly ornamental chasing and repousse designs.

This class will allow students with beginner skills to work on projects that they have started and/or imagined.  It is perfect for perfect for students who have explored jewelry and metals in another class or workshop, and wish to receive further instruction to develop new techniques and expand on their existing knowledge. Over three days, students will learn about basic hinges to create movement, box construction (for jewelry or small objects), and alternative setting techniques.  

Jump into this three day class for a fun exploration of all things ring! Combine fabrication techniques in gold and silver, argentium fusion, embossing, direct casting, creative use of scrap and more to create one-of-a-kind rings. Add value and color to your jewelry by adding a touch of gold to a silver piece. This class not only combines gold and silver, but also classical techniques with practical shortcuts for making work efficiently. From elegant to funky, we will look at ways to make rings that are unique to your taste. 

Our chain maille workshops teach students how to transform some of classic patterns of connected rings into striking pieces of jewelry with expert chain maille jeweler, Karen Karon.  This workshop teaches two  weaves, Orc Weave (by Laura Hepworth) and Gridlock Orc, through the construction of an bracelet and a pair of earrings in sterling silver.  

Ring in the holiday season by creating your very own jingle bell! Over the course of just one day, students can expect to learn the forming and finishing techniques needed to create a bell that rings. Participants will start by cutting out their bell shape template from flat sheet metal.  Then, using simple forming tools, discover how to hammer the form of the jingle bell, and finish it off by polishing and adding wire for hanging as a necklace or decoration!

Learn how to hold a stone using only wire and create a tear-drop style silver pendant. We will be using a variety of wires and pliers to bend, tie, and form a pendant with a secure center stone. This will include learning different weaving, coil, and framing patterns. These are all cold-fusion techniques, no heat or glue involved, and no hammers necessary. These wire working methods can be applied to other areas of artistry to accentuate your work with wire. 

The necklace has endured the test of time as one of the oldest and most popular forms of body adornment. It has been made by every culture and in every single material imaginable, but yet the possibilities for this jewelry object are continuously expanded upon by makers almost every single day. Learn how to create a necklace from start to finish: design, fabricate, polish, and adorn yourself with a dynamic and personalized neck piece in record time.