Blog

Blacksmithing Fireplace Tools

October 05, 2019

Stay warm by stoking the fire with a set of fireplace tools that you forged yourself. You’ll learn common blacksmithing techniques, including drawing out and riveting, while creating a poker and shovel. If time allows, we may also attempt a fireplace broom.

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Lost-Wax Metal Casting

October 05, 2019

Learn to cast metal using the lost-wax technique to cast work in silver. By creating jewelry models of your own design, you’ll learn about model preparation, investing, burning out and casting with centrifugal and vacuum-casting machines.

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Metal Clay Jewelry

October 05, 2019

Learn to work with metal clay, a malleable, metal-bearing material that is perfectly suited for creating jewelry. Use your hands to shape it and a variety of tools to add detail and texture. You’ll fire the metal clay to transform it into a silver object. Add a new skill to your repertoire each week to […]

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Enameled Faux Stones

October 05, 2019

Make a stone-like form out of copper and enamel that can be incorporated into your jewelry designs. You’ll use a disc cutter and a dapping block to make small domes or oval shapes out of copper. You’ll also learn how to cover a domed shape with enamel and fire it in the kiln. Plan to […]

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Enamel Imagery: Graphite – NEW!

October 05, 2019

The history of enameling is a history of storytelling through images. From the Byzantine era to the present, enameling techniques have been used for depicting religious imagery, recording historical events, commemorating the dead, and telling stories. This course explores the use of graphite pencils for applying imagery to enameled surfaces.

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Textured Stacking Rings – NEW!

October 04, 2019

Work with a variety of tools to make three stacking rings with different surfaces. You’ll form and solder each ring using either wire or sheet. Demos will include using a roll mill, flex shaft (burs, cutting discs, silicone wheels), hammers and hand files to help you create a variety of patterns and textures for each […]

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Stackable Bands

October 04, 2019

Create a sweet stack of rings from 14-karat yellow gold-filled wire and silver. You’ll learn to solder bands and become proficient at single seams. We’ll also cover fabricating, embellishing and forging simple bands in different gauges and types of metal.

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Spinner Rings

October 04, 2019

Experiment with spinner rings, which allow several rings to be made into one. The outer band supports one or more moving rings. We’ll cover sizing, shaping and soldering sheet metal and wire into rings. The rings will become one using a forming technique known as anticlastic. We’ll also cover basic solder, forging and forming techniques.

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Introduction to Metal Clay

October 04, 2019

Metal clay is a malleable material that can be used to make jewelry and other small, sculptural objects. Make a pair of silver earrings and a pendant that features a coil frame and appliqué focal design.

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Make it Out of Metal

October 04, 2019

Designed as a quick intro to jewelry and metalsmithing, this class will teach the basic skills needed to create a simple ring or pendant, such as sawing, soldering, and polishing. It’s a great starting point for students to get their feet wet with the tools and medium to decide if they’d like to pursue further […]

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Introduction to Metal Jewelry (C)

October 04, 2019

Learn how to transform metals into beautiful works of wearable art. We’ll cover techniques such as sawing, drilling, texturing, working with wire, filing, sanding and polishing. We’ll also cover riveting, soldering with a torch and basic stone setting. You’ll use these skills to make one finished piece of jewelry.

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Introduction to Metal Jewelry (B)

October 04, 2019

Learn how to transform metals into beautiful works of wearable art. We’ll cover techniques such as sawing, drilling, texturing, working with wire, filing, sanding and polishing. We’ll also cover riveting, soldering with a torch and basic stone setting. You’ll use these skills to make one finished piece of jewelry.

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Introduction to Metal Jewelry (A)

October 04, 2019

Learn how to transform metals into beautiful works of wearable art. We’ll cover techniques such as sawing, drilling, texturing, working with wire, filing, sanding and polishing. We’ll also cover riveting, soldering with a torch and basic stone setting. You’ll use these skills to make one finished piece of jewelry.

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Introduction to Metal Jewelry Workshop

October 04, 2019

Discover the fundamental concept of jewelry design and learn basic techniques for working with metals in this weekend introductory class. The class begins with instruction on techniques such as drilling, sawing, texturing, working with wire, and finishing techniques. Soldering with a torch will also be introduced. Students will then use these skills to make a […]

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Metalworking (Ages 11–12)

September 30, 2019

Get acquainted with metal and learn basic metalworking techniques. Students will create individual projects using traditional jewelry tools. You’ll learn how to cut shapes using a jeweler’s saw and heat your metal to soften and reshape your work. We’ll also drill into metal, then utilize bolts, screws and rivets to connect it in new ways.

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Blacksmithing Stocking Stuffers – NEW!

September 13, 2019

Explore the basics of blacksmithing. You’ll learn to forge a holiday stocking hanger, then make one or more small projects to stuff into the stocking like a keychain, bottle opener or ornament.

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Wireworking + Jewelry Making – NEW! (Ages 10+)

September 13, 2019

Learn to manipulate wire to create individual pieces of jewelry. We’ll use traditional hand tools to bend, shape, form and harden wire. Students will have the opportunity to incorporate beads, stones or found objects into their jewelry.

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Metal Stamping + Jewelry – NEW!

September 13, 2019

Explore the technique of metal stamping and hammering to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. We’ll use cold connection techniques and wire work.

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Metal Clay Earrings – NEW!

September 13, 2019

Explore copper metal clay while making one-of-a-kind earring components and/or small charms. On the second day, we’ll replicate the designs in silver. One pair of earring ‘findings’ will be included in the class. Please bring a bagged lunch!

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Beaded Tube Necklace: Using the Ndebele Stitch – NEW!

September 13, 2019

Learn how to make beaded necklaces using the ndebele or herringbone tube stitch. We will begin by learning about this type of stitch and its history. We’ll also experiment with two contrasting colors to develop dynamic patterns. Finally, we’ll use these new skills to create a beaded tube necklace.

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Polymer Clay Earrings – NEW! (Ages 15+)

September 13, 2019

Make your own one-of-a-kind, handmade earrings. Polymer clay comes in a range of colors, including pastel and neon. Colors can even be mixed to create your own personal hue. The clay can be softened into any design, sculpted on a miniature scale, abstracted into geometrical shapes and more. Students can create studs, hoops, and hook […]

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Advanced Metal Jewelry

June 22, 2019

Further your metal jewelry practice with advanced techniques like prepping wax models for casting.You’ll see weekly demonstrations and get the chance to work on self-directed projects with plenty of one-on-one guidance from the instructor.

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Hand Made Sequin Surface Jewelry – NEW!

June 22, 2019

Create wearable pieces of jewelry that explore surfaces created through many small handmade “sequins” and moving textures. Students can expect to make 1-2 pieces depending on complexity of design and personal goals. Students may choose between making a pair of earring and/or a brooch. While this class will utilize several basic metals fabrication techniques, the […]

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Metal Clay Rings

June 22, 2019

Learn the secrets to sizing metal clay rings as you form both coil and flat bands. You’ll make a slab “washer” style ring with a custom template, and fire a flat strip that you’ll bend into shape after firing. You’ll also learn how to account for shrinkage, strength and durability.

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