View our courses and events calendar
Download our Spring/Summer 2019 course catalogThe instructor was very pleasant, not intimidating at all (which I was afraid of). He spent time with each student, and was very clear about the steps required.
Courses
Yleana M., Watertown MA
Workshops
Workshops
Workshop intensives, which last one to three days, help broaden and hone skills. Study with acclaimed artists and educators who share their expertise in specialized techniques.
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with Karen KaronWorkshop (1 day)November 22, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00Materials: $120.00Our 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.
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with Alanna RobbinsWorkshop (2 days)November 23-24, 201910:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$380.00Materials: $60.00Have you always wanted to learn to make jewelry but never had the time? If that is the case, this condensed three-day exploration of beginning jewelry basics may be your ideal solution. While completing a ring or pendant with a stone set in it, students will learn foundational skills that are necessary for all metalsmithing projects.
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with Mary StachuraWorkshop (1 day)December 6, 201910:00am-4:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$105.00Materials: $55.00 Payable to instructor in class.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.
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with Diane LawtonWorkshop (1 day)December 7, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00Materials: $25.00Ring 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!
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with Alanna RobbinsWorkshop (1 day)December 8, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00Materials: $50.00This one-day workshop shows students of any skill level how to make a series of silver, stackable rings. Gain basic soldering, stone setting, texturing, and stamping knowledge and enhance each band for a one-of-a-kind look.
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with Steven ManchiniWorkshop (1 day)December 13, 201910:00am-4:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$125.00Materials: $40.00Learn 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.
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with William VanariaWorkshop (1 day)December 14, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00Materials: $40.00Braided and twisted wires have been a traditional ornamentation element in the world of jewelry and blacksmithing for centuries. Though the process is deceptively simple at first glance there are so many different variations and factors that can dramatically alter this form. Complete a series of samples utilizing different methods and styles of twisting wire, leading to the creation of finished and wearable bangles, cuffs, and bracelets! Expect to walk away with at least one finished piece, and samples for future reference.
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with William VanariaWorkshop (1 day)December 15, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00Materials: $40.00The 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.
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with Wendy Jo NewWorkshop (1 day)December 20, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until November 20Materials: $40.00Keum Boo provides a cost efficient means of introducing high-karat gold to jewelry designs while simultaneously adding texture, pattern, and color. Embellishment techniques such as roller printing and adding a patina, will also be demonstrated to enhance and emphasize metal surfaces.The class will be a combination of teacher demonstrations with ample time built in for student practice and fabrication.
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with Liz ClarkWorkshop (1 day)December 21, 201910:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until November 21Materials: $55.00Explore various ways of making ear ornaments from posts, hoops to dangles using sterling silver wire, sheet and tubing. Add a pop of color by incorporating natural stone beads! Students will learn how to use the Smith Little torch, fine-tune their soldering skills, and some fun shape and texture making tools to spice up their earring game. Each student will leave with at least three pairs of earrings.
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with William VanariaWorkshop (1 day)January 4, 202010:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until December 5Materials: $35.00Applying the right finish to a piece of jewelry is one of the most important aspects of creating successful work. There are countless ways to finish jewelry, from the flawless mirror finish seen in commercial jewelry, to the matte brushed finish popular with many art jewelers. In this workshop, students will learn industry level tips, tricks, and techniques and produce several of these finishes on pre-made ring bands. Students are also encouraged to bring in personal work to get feedback and suggestions on how to finish it.
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with Paulette WergerWorkshop (1 day)January 10, 202010:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until December 11Materials: TBD Payable to instructor in class.Join us for a special hands-on workshop devoted to barware! Make a sterling cocktail stir spoon and a set of martini picks. Forging, forming, fabrication and surface embellishment techniques will be demonstrated. Students are invited to stay after class for a cocktail hour with special guest mix master, Michael Tzannes, who will finish the day with recipes and tasting of artisanal bitters for the craft cocktail!
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with William VanariaWorkshop (1 day)January 11, 202010:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until December 12Materials: $40.00Low 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.
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with Joy RaskinWorkshop (1 day)January 17, 202010:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until December 18Materials: $25.00Lightweight earrings are the perfect accessory. This fun and fast paced earring intensive covers essential jewelry making skills using wire and sheet metal to create hoops and dangles you can wear home!
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with Raquel Alonso-PerezWorkshop (2 days)January 18-19, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$380.00 $361.00
5% discount until December 19In this course, we’ll look at many different specimens with a focus on the most common gemstones used in the jewelry trade.We will also learn about different enhancements/treatments, artificial gemstones, and how to identify them with gemological tools.
Upon completion of this practical workshop on gemstones, students should be familiar with the most common gemstones in the gem/jewelry trade in terms of name, physical properties, and optical properties. In addition, participants will be able to describe these stone’s internal and external characteristics and identify the mineral.
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with Cynthia EidWorkshop (3 days)January 24-26, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 3 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$530.00 $503.50
5% discount until December 25Materials: $110.00 Payable to instructor in class.This course is for people who want to become comfortable working with Argentium® Sterling Silver sheet and wire. Demonstrations will include annealing, soldering, fusing, hardening, and finishing. Demonstrations will alternate with hands-on practice time. Participants may choose to practice on samples, or to create finished designs. Students with basic jewelry and metalsmithing skills, as well as professionals, are welcome.
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with Arthur HashWorkshop (2 days)February 1-2, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$405.00 $384.75
5% discount until January 2Materials: $140.00 Payable to instructor in class.In this workshop students will explore a variety of stone setting techniques, specifically pave, bead setting, and French cut. In depth demonstration and numerous samples will be thoroughly covered and executed throughout the workshop. Due to the level of detail and hand strength required to execute these techniques, students should have excellent vision (with the aid of magnification) and ample hand strength to push over prongs and cut metal using burs in the flexshaft. Previous stone setting experience strongly encouraged.
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with Cristina PabonWorkshop (3 days)February 7-9, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 3 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$530.00 $503.50
5% discount until January 8Materials: $80.00In this workshop, students will learn the techniques needed to design and fabricate a sterling silver locket from start to finish. These techniques will focus on creating hollow or 3-dimensional forms for the locket body, hinge making, and snap closures for the final piece. Stone setting, surface textures, and other decorative elements will also be explored. Bring your artistic ideas to life with the technical know-how which will enable you to create a family heirloom that will be cherished for generations!
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with Tanya CraneWorkshop (3 days)February 14-16, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 3 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$530.00 $503.50
5% discount until January 15Materials: $80.00Explore the exciting potential of screen-printing original drawings, existing imagery, and repetitive patterns onto an enameled surface while also learning to adapt these methods for use in the sgraffito technique.
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with Wendy Jo NewWorkshop (1 day)February 21, 202010:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until January 22Materials: $40.00Learn fabrication and soldering skills for making jump rings, bails, head pins and eye pins, ear wires/posts, and simple soldered terminations like hooks, S-clasps, and toggle clasps.
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with Wendy Jo NewWorkshop (2 days)February 22-23, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$380.00 $361.00
5% discount until January 23Materials: $40.00This condensed exploration of metalworking fundamentals is perfect for those who have always wanted to learn jewelry-making but never had the time. Saw, anneal, solder, file, texture, solder inlay, and more while creating one-of-a-kind jewelry!
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with Patrick McMillanWorkshop (2 days)February 29-March 1, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$405.00 $384.75
5% discount until January 30Materials: $50.00 Payable to instructor in class.In this workshop students will learn how to forge a seamless ring from start to finish -- beginning with pouring an ingot, punching and drifting the metal, and then hammer forming the final product. Explore and practice different forging techniques to create varying degrees of texture and form seamless fine silver rings you can wear home!
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with Nicole MordecaiWorkshop (1 day)March 6, 202010:00am-5:00pmat MetalwerxTuition:$150.00 $142.50
5% discount until February 5Materials: $50.00This workshop will cover how to photograph matte and shiny objects using a pop up tent kit and iPhone, as well at editing photos using simple tools on the phone. The students will learn these techniques with objects provided by the instructor, and then move on to their own objects with the instructor's guidance.
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with Munya Avigail UpinWorkshop (2 days)March 7-8, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$405.00 $384.75
5% discount until February 6Materials: $50.00Create alluring surfaces and structures using woven metal techniques. This hands-on class will introduce students to twining, braiding, weaving, knitting, and soumak weaving.
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with Bonnie BishoffWorkshop (2 days)March 14-15, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 2 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$405.00 $384.75
5% discount until February 13Materials: $45.00In this class, students will explore the use of polymer clay and wire to create an armature, instead of relying on pre-fabricated findings to dictate the forms for their polymer jewelry. Demonstrations will focus on creating a flexible hook and loop bracelet, a tall cuff, and a sculptural cuff.
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with Paulette WergerWorkshop (3 days)March 20-22, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 3 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$530.00 $503.50
5% discount until February 19Materials: TBD Payable to instructor in class.This workshop will focus on design concepts and techniques for unusual settings that are applicable for uniquely-shaped stones, pearls, enamels, and found objects. Students will explore methods of fabricating custom settings and discover a treasure trove of tips and tricks.
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with Brie FloraWorkshop (3 days)March 27-29, 202010:00am-5:00pmfor 3 daysat MetalwerxTuition:$530.00 $503.50
5% discount until February 26Materials: $20.00“Guidelines” is a contemporary jewelry project where jewelers/makers create work based on pre-set guidelines. In this workshop, students will create new shapes and patterns through the use of repeated elements and negative space, resulting in a cohesive wearable piece or object. Spend 3 days experimenting, exploring, investigating, multiplying, and challenging yourself to create a piece of jewelry or an object inspired by this innovative "Guidelines" concept.
