Introductory Metalsmithing Classes

Kerstin Nichols

These courses cover the basic metalsmithing techniques used to make jewelry and other small metal projects. They are suitable for people with no metal working experience and refreshers for those who have some experience.

Rings and Earrings

Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00pm

September 10-October 29. 8 sessions, 24 hrs

Tuition: $270 ($260*)

Est. mat. fee: $40 payable to instructor, 1/2 due at first class

In this class you will focus on the basics of working with sheet and wire. Using copper and silver you will learn the techniques of forming, soldering, stone-setting, surface embellishment, and finishing while making rings and earrings.

Chains and Charms

Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00pm

November 5-December 17. 7 sessions, 21 hrs

Tuition: $235 ($225*)

Est. mat. fee: $40 payable to instructor, 1/2 due at first class

Working in fine silver, sterling, and copper wire and sheet you will be introduced to a variety of chain and wire forms from ancient Greek to funky and contemporary. Regardless of whether you've already taken an introductory class, or if this is your first class, you will learn soldering and metal forming skills you will find fun and challenging.

Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00pm

January 7-February 11 (snow date Feb 25). 6 sessions, 18 hrs

Tuition: $200 ($190*)

Est. mat. fee: $35 payable to instructor, 1/2 due at first class

Make a pendant for your handmade chain and learn to set a stone in silver. This is an excellent review for those who have taken our "Rings" class and want to stretch their stone-setting options, as well as for new students. Decorative piercing (sawing) will also be covered.

Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00pm

March 4-April 8 (snow date April 15). 6 sessions, 18 hrs

Tuition: $200 ($190*)

Est. mat. fee: $35 payable to instructor, 1/2 due at first class

Working with copper, and possibly silver, this class will focus on projects that offer the challenge of working with hammers, and on a larger scale, while learning to make several different styles of bracelets. You will leave with an understanding of how similar metal is to clay and other malleable materials. This class is a good starting point for students who are interested in pursuing metal sculpture.

Introduction to

Gemstone Carving

Derek Levin

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b.

Thursdays, 6:30-9:30pm

September 11-October 30. 8 sessions, 24 hrs

Tuition: $270 ($260*). Materials fee payable to instructor: $40

March 5-April 9 (snow date Apr 16). 6 sessions, 18 hrs

Tuition: $200 ($190*). Materials fee payable to instructor: $40

The three basic forms of gem cutting are cabbing, faceting and carving. There are also combinations of these. Of the three, carving is probably the most varied in result. This class will focus on methods of gem carving or sculptural stone carving in inexpensive softer materials or more expensive harder materials, from transparent to opaque, from simple to complex design. The emphasis will be to let you fully express your own design whether figurative or abstract. Whether you are a novice or a cabber (that is, one who has some experience carving stones), or even a facetor, we will explore the interaction of light, shape, and color; techniques of cutting; tool use and tool production as well as the best ways to carve and finish a stone. Bring your own rough stone if you like. The instructor will have tools and materials for sale.

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b.
c.

d.

Mondays, 6:30-9:30pm

September 8-October 27. 8 sessions, 24 hrs. Tuition: $270 ($260*)

November 3-December 15. 7 sessions, 21 hrs. Tuition: $235 ($225*)

January 5-February 9 (snow date Feb 23). 6 sessions, 18 hrs

March 2-April 6 (snow date April 13). 6 sessions, 18 hrs

Tuition: $200 ($190*)

Materials fee varies with project(s)

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b.

Designated Tuesdays, 10:00am-3:00pm

Sept. 9, 23, Oct. 7, 21, Nov. 4, 18, Dec. 2 & 16

8 sessions, 40 hrs. Tuition: $450 ($440*)

Jan. 6, 20, Feb. 3, 10, Mar. 3, 17 & 31 (snow date Feb 24, Apr 14)

7 sessions, 35 hrs. Tuition: $400 ($390*)

Materials fee varies with project(s)

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b.

Designated Saturdays, 10:00am-3:00pm

Sep. 13, 27, Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 15, & Dec. 6

7 sessions, 35 hrs. Tuition: $400 ($390*)

Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7, Mar. 7, 21, & Apr 4 (snow dates Feb 28, Apr 18)

6 sessions, 30 hrs. Tuition: $340 ($330*)

Materials fee: varies with projects

Focus on Design

for Jewelry
Kerstin Nichols

a.
b.

Designated Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00pm

Sep. 16, Oct. 14, Nov. 18, & Dec. 16. 4 sessions, 12 hrs.

January 6, 20, March 24, & April 7 (snow date Apr 14). 4 sessions, 12 hrs.

Tuition: $135 ($125*). Materials fee varies with project(s)

This class will focus on the fundamental elements of design in the context of jewelry and the body that wears it—important criteria in making your work distinctive. Whether you are a professional jeweler or metal smith, a committed hobbyist or somewhere between, this class will provide you with challenges beyond the learning of a “new technique”. To make this course successful you will need to complete assignments between classes in your own studio or in the League’s Open Jewelry Studio classes.

Ring Carving with

Hard Wax

Paul Gross

Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00pm

February 3-March 10 (snow date Mar 17). 5 sessions, 15 hrs

Tuition: $160 ($150*). Materials fee: $75

Basic layout and carving techniques will allow you to develop designs from simple signet-style rings into more complicated rings with stones. You will be taught a design process that will enable you to design integral bezels, semi-bezels and prongs. The goal is to complete at least two rings: one with a stone and one without. Polishing and finishing the rings may need to be done outside of class in open studio time, but stone-setting will be demonstrated and accomplished during class time. This is an intermediate level class, you should have basic jewelry experience with files, hand tools and polishing. Tool list will be mailed on registration.

Wire Working

Joy Raskin

Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm

September 20 & 21. 2 sessions, 14 hrs

Tuition: $165 ($155*). Material fees payable to instructor: $35

Open to all skill levels, this workshop explores the fascinating, flexible medium of wire. You will coil, wrap, tinker, weave, twine, braid, crotchet, knit, twist and much more to make all kinds of jewelry and accessories. Wire is not just confined to jewelry, but can be used to make vessels, baskets, lampshades and other home accessories. Even sculpture can be created with wire. Best of all, it's low-tech and does not require a lot of fancy tools to work with. A couple of pliers, wire cutters, masking tape, a Sharpie marker, a mallet, a steel square and a ruler is pretty much what you need. We will be using colored copper wire, brass, bronze, nickel and silver wire in 12 to 28 gauge, if you wish to bring some of your own. The instructor will provide all the wire needed, plus handouts.

Introduction to Earrings: Zany Sampler Earrings

Jean Matray

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b.

Sunday, 10am-5pm

October 5. 1 session, 7 hrs

December 7. 1 session, 7 hrs

Tuition: $80 ($75*). Estimated materials fee payable to instructor: $25

Bring your creativity and design an asymmetrical pair of earrings and learn a sampling of beginning metalsmithing techniques. Make your earrings with twists, swirls, cutouts, hammered, stamped, and forged pieces. Some of the techniques you will explore in the samples are soldering, hammering, piercing (sawing), roller printing, stamping, and drilling. Walk away with a zany pair of earrings and learn basic metalsmithing techniques along the way. Materials fee is based on materials used.

Introduction to Keum Boo

Paulette Werger

Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm

March 14. 1 session, 7 hrs

Tuition: $100 ($95*). Materials fee: $75

In this one-day workshop you will learn the traditional technique of gold diffusion onto silver in the Korean tradition as well as variations and shortcuts while making samples. Keum Boo is an Asian metal technique dating to 11th Century Korea and Japan. Thin sheets of pure gold were applied to the surfaces of silver hair combs, snuff boxes, small vessels, and jewelry as a decorative embellishment. Today, in Korea and Japan, Keum Boo is taught as part of the rigors of goldsmithing. Hand cut pieces of 24kt sheet is applied to the surface of sterling or fine silver. The surfaces are heated to 1100-1150°F and the gold sheet is burnished into place causing a diffusion bond at the surface between the gold and silver. The resulting bond is a strong solder free surface, which can withstand forming and fabrication. Materials fee covers 24KT gold sheet and model making supplies. You should bring (1) 6x6” sheet of 20 gauge sheet of fine silver and basic hand tools. Extra gold and silver will be for sale by instructor.

Further Explorations

in Keum Boo

Paulette Werger

Sunday, 10:00am–5:00pm

March 15. 1 session, 7 hrs

Tuition: $100 ($95*). Materials fee: $75

This one-day workshop is designed for people who have taken at least one Keum Boo workshop and would like to learn more about this ancient Asian metal technique. You will have one-on-one time with Paulette to bring Keum Boo into your personal aesthetic. Learn to turn flat sheet metal into functional volume through paper model-making to create a fold formed spoon, tray or hollow bead.