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Bamboo. Rain.
3-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
This elegant and understated design contains within it the foundation for infinate variations. Join us in learning short cuts to hammering, piercing, patination and polishing. Bring un-tinted safety or reading glasses. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Artwork courtesy of Julie Anderson
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Basic Pewter Casting
4-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Create pendants, house blessings, pocket-pieces and buttons by carving your designs into investment and casting them in lead-free pewter. This low-tech and inexpensive technique is perfect for making multiple pieces. There is no experience necessary, and the focus will be on experimentation in a relaxed atmosphere. All you need to bring is a very clean tuna can. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes made of non-synthetic materials and dress for a mess. The fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Bones & Stones: A Halloween Workshop
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Students will have the opportunity to work with pre-made textured panels of shibuichi. The highly detailed, three-dimensional motif is all about bones. Metalsmithing techniques include piercing, sawing, filing, sanding and light polishing. In addition, students will explore chain link designs to connect their panels into a bracelet, pendant or earrings. BYOB: bring/buy your own (stone) beads to reflect your personal palette. Don’t forget your reading (or non-tinted) glasses for safety! No experience necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Coiled Gemstone Necklace: An Intermediate Chain Workshop
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Prerequisite: Cold-Worked Chains
This workshop will teach you how to frame your special beads with an intricate coiling technique. The spiral design suspends each gemstone in a cocoon of silver. Students will learn how to use basic wire working tools, coil wire by hand, and combine the coiled elements with a handmade chain and clasp. BYOB: bring your own beads (12-24mm) for variations on the design. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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DISTANCE LEARNING AVAILABLE!
What is a distance learning class? It ís a way for you to learn from anywhere in the world! This distance learning project is the same as the one I teach in the classroom except that it will be delivered to you via the internet. Click here for more information. | |
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The Cold Clasp Using Wire
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Say that ten times fast! Why spend all of that time creating a unique, handmade chain and then top it off with a predictable machine made clasp? Students will learn the fundamentals of how wire works. Techniques include forming, hammering and twisting different metals together. BYOB: Students are encouraged to bring/buy their own beads with holes that fit 16 gauge wire. There is no experience necessary and experimentation is encouraged. A $45.00 materials fee paid to the instructor covers all other supplies, use of the tools and handouts. | |
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Cold Cuts & Copyrights
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
One of the most freeing techniques in metalsmithing is learning how to cut metal by hand. Imagine designing any type of flat shape or image and then translating it into precious metal! In this workshop, students will learn how to make exterior and interior cuts. In addition, details on filing and surface textures will be explored. Inspiration or appropriation? We will also discuss where to find copyright free sources and how to translate them into a viable design. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Cold-Worked Chains
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Learn to make jewelry without investing in a lot of equipment, tools and workspace. Explore a range of chain-making designs that do not rely on heat and can be carried around like knitting and worked on anywhere you can sit down. Design choices range from simple to complex. Copper, brass, sterling, fine silver and gold-filled wire will be used. Students are encouraged to bring their collections of beads and baubles to class. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
DISTANCE LEARNING AVAILABLE!
What is a distance learning class? It ís a way for you to learn from anywhere in the world! This distance learning project is the same as the one I teach in the classroom except that it will be delivered to you via the internet. Click here for more information. | |
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Doing the Jig
4-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
The jig acts as a template to create exact, intricate and/or interlocking chain links. This clever tool enables the user to work more efficiently when tackling complex and highly ornamental designs. Students will learn how to build their own low-tech jig and can choose between sterling silver and gold-filled wire to create their necklaces. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Double-Heart Link Bracelet
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Wear it and share it! Simple to make, this fanciful chain is constructed out of double hearts, inter-linking to create a surprisingly lush design. Students may choose to work with sterling silver or 14-karat gold-filled wires. Basic use of chain-making tools will be covered. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools.
BYOB: bring your own beads (fit 20g wire) for embellishment. | |
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Etruscan Tree of Life Bracelet
6-Hour Workshop
$55 materials fee
Also known as the Egyptian Chain, this is an ancient wire design technique from the Etruscan period, around the 7th century BCE. Learn to create swirled links and their variations, which can be made into earrings, bracelets or clasps. In the Goddess culture, this symbol has been equated with the eyes of the Goddess (twin suns equaling regeneration), ram horns (a symbol of abundance) and the tree of life (cyclical growth and change). We will be working in sterling and gold-fill. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Flower Power
4-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
I grew up under the influence of watching my German mother painstakingly hand make exquisitely detailed doilies, tablecloths and bedspreads. Although needlework never caught on with me, I always envisioned wearing some of the patterns as jewelry.
In 2005 I returned to North Carolina to have her teach me the basics. Together we came up with a silver daisy pattern, in honor of her (favorite flower). BYOB: bring your own bead box to embellish the daisy components. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers all other supplies, handouts and use of tools. No experience necessary. |
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Harnessing Found Objects to Create a Necklace
4-Hour Workshop
$15 materials fee
This workshop focuses on harnessing all those little found objects that have washed up in your life and are waiting to be used. Baubles, beads, hardware, costume jewelry parts, buttons, natural items, etc. will be combined with copper and brass wires. Basic jewelry tools and chain-making techniques will be covered. Students are encouraged to bring their collections of treasures and beads to add to our own. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools.
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Idiots Delight Link
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
If you enjoy puzzles or if you are puzzle-challenged, you will be enchanted by this project. The Idiots Delight Link (also known as the Byzantine and Kings Link) is a brainteaser unless you know the secrets of its construction. After learning how to make jump rings, we will fashion this classic design into a bracelet. We will work with sterling silver. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Jumpin' for Jump Rings: Using Wire Cutters
4-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
What the simple wheel did for technology, the jump ring did for jewelry. Yes, you can easily buy them from a manufacturer, but learning how to make your own jump ring puts you in the driver’s seat: you get to choose the size, thickness and metal that is appropriate for your hand-made jewelry. Students will learn how to test their techniques in terms of structural integrity (is it strong or flimsy?), aesthetics (is it tortured or svelte?) and wearability (is it a hair and clothing nightmare?). We will work in copper, sterling and fine silver. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
DISTANCE LEARNING AVAILABLE!
What is a distance learning class? It is a way for you to learn from anywhere in the world! This distance learning technique is the same as what I teach in the classroom except that it will be delivered to you via the internet. Click here for more information. | |
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Kuchi Coil Bracelet
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
This bead design named after an Afghani tribe is intricate in detail yet easy to make. Low tech, everything you need to create this cold-worked bracelet can be carried around. Students will learn how to use basic wire-working tools, coil wire by hand, combine bracelet elements, use patinas and estimate materials to customize a roll-on bracelet. Optional: Students are encouraged to bring 8mm beads for variations on the design. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Make a Flake: Celebrating Childhood Winters
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Cozy up with us on a cold winter's day to translate a childhood hobby into a metal Object d'Art. Students will learn how to make a snowflake, transfer the design, manipulate exterior and interior cuts, file and explore surface treatments. In addition, students will learn how to sign their piece (or write a message to a loved one). Don’t forget your reading (or non-tinted) glasses for safety. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Moonbeam Bracelet
6-Hour Workshop
$45.00 materials fee
Simple, elegant and so easy to make. This bracelet combines ancient handwrought techniques with modern technology. Metalsmithing techniques include wire manipulation, hammering, filing and polishing. Students can incorporate beads or allow the silver to shimmer by itself. BYOB: bring/buy your own beads (that fit 16g wire) to reflect your favorite palette. Don’t forget to bring your untinted safety or reading glasses. No experience necessary. The fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools.
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photo courtesy of Kara Burke | |
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Professional Earrings from Scratch: Cold
4-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
In this workshop, students will learn different techniques that are the basic building blocks to making professional head pins, ear wires and connectors from scratch. In addition, we will cover the secrets of hardened and polished findings. No more posts that poke and designs that quickly become hair night mares! Got stretched lobes? Prefer post earrings to French wires? We'll discuss creative earring solutions for that too. BYOB (bring your own beads) for embellishment and to reflect your personal style/palette. No experience necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers all other supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Recycle, Reuse, Rethink, Refurbish, and Reassign;
Working with Plastic Cards
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Do your part to recycle materials while surprising folks with fabulous bracelets and earrings! In this workshop, students will learn how to find and recycle plastic, organize them through the Elements of Design (line, shape, direction, size, texture, color, value), and combine them using simple metalsmithing techniques. BYOB: bring/buy your own assortment of beads for embellishment. No experience necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers all other supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Riveted Bead Rings
3-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Do you have an incredible bead that you would like to turn into a ring? Riveting is a cold process that can join metals and “found objects” such as hand made glass beads. BYOB: bring/buy your own beads to add to the class’ selection. In addition to making two rings, students will learn to identify which types of beads are more successful than others for mounting in a silver shank. There is no experience necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Riveting
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Riveting is a cold process used to join metals together and can also serve as a decorative element in a piece of jewelry. The advantage over soldering is the lack of toxic materials, and the tools are simple to use, store and transport. We will examine design strategies and experiment with different metals such as copper, brass, sterling and fine silver. No experience is necessary. Materials required for the class will be provided. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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Sea Foam Necklace
4-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
This delicate necklace is the envy of mermaids and mermen! Lighter than air, you won't even feel it on your skin. Students will learn how to work with basic jewelry tools and thin gauges of fine silver, sterling silver and 14/20 gold-filled wire. In addition, we will discuss how to custom-balance each piece and create a clasp. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Sheet Shapes Bracelet & Earrings
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
In this workshop students will create a bracelet and earring set composed of perforated copper and sterling. Techniques include piercing and cold-connecting metal; creating surface textures, hammering, burnishing and polishing. This simple, low-tech class doesn't even use electricity! There is no experience necessary. A $45 materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies and use of tools. |
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Sweater Pin
3-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
This workshop is an excellent introduction to hammering. Through the use of simple tools, we will bend wire into an abstract form that functions as a spring, hook and clasp. Students will also learn how to texture and shape heavy-gauge fine silver using various hammering techniques. The result is a delicate and subtle elegance that is best shown-off on loosely woven fabrics. No experience is necessary. BYOB (bring your own beads for embellishment and to add to selection that is provided). The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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That 70's Ring
3-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Abstract, bold and with a hint of flower power, this ring workshop is a great way to experience heavy wire manipulation. Students will learn about the properties of metals, ring sizing, resources and the popular tool talk. Do you want to work in a toxic-free environment? Do you enjoy projects that are fast, simple and spontaneous? Then this one's for you! No experience is necessary. BOYB: Bring/buy your own beads for embellishment. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers all other supplies (for a maximum of 3 rings), handouts and use of tools. |
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Viking Knit 1: Wire Rope Bracelet
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Using only two elements, an awl and sterling silver wire, we will explore the technique of fashioning a rope out of metal. This self-supported "knitted" form is flexible and comfortable to wear. It also offers a terrific surface for easy embellishment. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite assortment of beads to add to those of our own. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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DISTANCE LEARNING AVAILABLE!
What is a distance learning class? It’s a way for you to learn from anywhere in the world! This distance learning project is the same as the one I teach in the classroom except that it will be delivered to you via the internet. Click here for more information. | |
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Viking Knit 2: Capturing Objects
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Prerequisite: Viking Knit 1
Once you have the hang of making a free-standing Viking Knit rope, you’ll be ready to move to the next level of skill needed to capture objects within. The Viking Knit cage is a great form for permanently holding gemstones, beads and other rounded objects. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools.
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Viking Knit 3: Bezel
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Prerequisites: Viking Knit 1 & 2
Are you looking for cold ways to create a bezel setting? Once you have mastered the free standing forms explored in Viking Knit 1 & 2, you can easily learn how to create a knitted version of the traditional bezel. Pioneered by Sandkühler, the Viking Knit Bezel technique works well with odd- and flat- shaped stones and undrilled "beads". The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools.
Featured in ARTTALK! | |
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Wire Abstractions: Pendants, Ornaments and House-blessings
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Using gold-filled wire, we will construct a whimsical shape that resembles a simple line drawing. By using beads to fill selected areas, the pendant-sized piece becomes a densely encrusted object that reflects light and sparkles like a jewel. Wear it or use it as an ornament. The form will be simple, with an emphasis on texture and color. Students are encouraged to bring beads to add to those of our own. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. | |
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Wire Worked Wreath Necklace
6-Hour Workshop
$45 materials fee
Fast and fabulous, this whimsical necklace will leave you wondering whether or not to give it as a gift or wear it to your favorite social gathering. Using only two elements, wire and tiny beads, we will explore the technique of knotting strands of wire to create an elegant wreath necklace. This delicate design, made from fine silver, is flexible and comfortable to wear. Add larger beads if you prefer to make a bold and dramatic statement. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite assortments of beads to add to those of our own. No experience is necessary. The materials fee paid to the instructor covers supplies, handouts and use of tools. |
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DISTANCE LEARNING AVAILABLE!
What is a distance learning class? It’s a way for you to learn from anywhere in the world! This distance learning project is the same as the one I teach in the classroom except that it will be delivered to you via the internet. Click here for more information. | |
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