Chains, Connections and Closures
One Day Workshop
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
From jump rings to bulky links to clasps, students will be introduced to several chain link styles, and variations. By manipulating wire using mandrels, jigs, and pliers, students will have the opportunity to create large links which can be either soldered or cold connected together to form a dimensional bracelet or a necklace. Making multiple links will offer the opportunity to hone soldering skills and production techniques.
Copper and brass wire will be included as working materials, or students may purchase silver wire, or bring their own 16 or 14 Gauge round wire.
$150
Refine Your Design: Finishing Techniques to Elevate Your Jewelry
One Day Workshop
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
The focus of this workshop is to help students with basic jewelry experience elevate their jewelry designs by applying various finishing techniques.
Students will work with hand tools, files and emery materials, as well as flex shaft mounted abrasives, focusing on when and which tools and materials to use to create beautifully finished pieces. Particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of considering the desired finishing details during the planning phase, and to applying the finishing techniques to the whole piece.
The class project will consist of a choice of earrings or a pendant incorporating multiple surface finishes to the front, back, and edges, creating a refined piece of art jewelry. Students may also feel free to bring previously created pieces to explore refinishing techniques that might improve their aesthetic quality.
$175, includes all materials for class project.
Introduction to Jewelry Making: Forming
Introduction to Jewelry Making Series: Materials, Tools & Techniques
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
This four-week series is designed for students with little or no experience. Students will learn about the workspace, materials and tools used in making metal jewelry, and will develop basic skills essential to the craft of jewelry making. Each session will introduce new tools and skills, and each successive session will incorporate tools and skills learned in the prior sessions.
Materials and projects will be provided so that students can expect to leave with a finished piece each week.
Forming
Students will work with hammers, forming mandrels and stakes to bend and shape metal. We will introduce the rolling mill as an option for texturing metal. We will cover the concepts of work hardening and annealing metal. Students will be provided with several design options as a starting point to create a copper or brass cuff.
$120
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Week 1: The Basics, September 23rd (this session or equivalent is required for all subsequent sessions)
Week 2: Cold Connections, September 30th
Week 3: Introduction to Soldering, October 7th
Week 4: Forming, October 14th
10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Introduction to Jewelry Making: Introduction to Soldering
Introduction to Jewelry Making Series: Materials, Tools & Techniques
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
This four-week series is designed for students with little or no experience. Students will learn about the workspace, materials and tools used in making metal jewelry, and will develop basic skills essential to the craft of jewelry making. Each session will introduce new tools and skills, and each successive session will incorporate tools and skills learned in the prior sessions.
Materials and projects will be provided so that students can expect to leave with a finished piece each week.
Introduction to Soldering
We will cover the principles and techniques of soldering with an overview of the workspace and safety, and students will practice joining various size pieces of copper before progressing to silver. Students will also learn the basics of making rings, measuring finger size and calculating lengths of metal for proper ring fit. Forming and texturing techniques learned in earlier classes will be applied to making a textured silver ring.
$120
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Week 1: The Basics, September 23rd (this session or equivalent is required for all subsequent sessions)
Week 2: Cold Connections, September 30th
Week 3: Introduction to Soldering, October 7th
Week 4: Forming, October 14th
10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Introduction to Jewelry Making: Cold Connections
Introduction to Jewelry Making Series: Materials, Tools & Techniques
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
This four-week series is designed for students with little or no experience. Students will learn about the workspace, materials and tools used in making metal jewelry, and will develop basic skills essential to the craft of jewelry making. Each session will introduce new tools and skills, and each successive session will incorporate tools and skills learned in the prior sessions.
Materials and projects will be provided so that students can expect to leave with a finished piece each week.
Cold Connections
Building on skills learned in week 1, students will learn to combine components using cold connections. Students will make rivets from tube and wire and will learn how to create both functional and decorative rivets. We will introduce the flex shaft motor for drilling holes, and the jeweler’s torch as a heating tool will also be introduced. Students will create a completed piece which incorporates moving parts, either a pendant or earrings.
$120
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Week 1: The Basics, September 23rd (this session or equivalent is required for all subsequent sessions)
Week 2: Cold Connections, September 30th
Week 3: Introduction to Soldering, October 7th
Week 4: Forming, October 14th
10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Introduction to Jewelry Making: The Basics
Introduction to Jewelry Making Series: Materials, Tools & Techniques
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
This four-week series is designed for students with little or no experience. Students will learn about the workspace, materials and tools used in making metal jewelry, and will develop basic skills essential to the craft of jewelry making. Each session will introduce new tools and skills, and each successive session will incorporate tools and skills learned in the prior sessions.
Materials and projects will be provided so that students can expect to leave with a finished piece each week.
The Basics
Students will be introduced to the studio workspace and several of the fundamental jewelry making materials, tools and techniques including planning work flow, measuring and cutting sheet metal using the jeweler’s saw, texturing metal with hammers, finishing with files, sanding and other finishing tools. We will work on creating a pair of textured domed copper or brass earrings or a domed pendant.
$120
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Week 1: The Basics, September 23rd (this session or equivalent is required for all subsequent sessions)
Week 2: Cold Connections, September 30th
Week 3: Introduction to Soldering, October 7th
Week 4: Forming, October 14th
10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Soldering Bootcamp
Every other Monday, September 18-October 16, 5:30pm-8:30pm (3 sessions)
Teaching Artist: Sandra Seymour
So let's say you've taken several jewelry classes. You know how to solder. But every time you need to solder...well, you kind of dread it. Sound familiar? This class will help you build confidence and teach you ways to vastly speed up your work. Demo and discussion will help you understand and be a better observer of the process unfolding under the torch. Then you will build on that foundation through a series of hands-on exercises. Topics will include pick soldering, multiple solderings, as well as un-soldering and repairs.
$200 + materials
SOLD OUT
Jewelry Design for Teens & Tweens
Every other Sunday, September 17, October 1, October 15 & October 29, 2023, 1pm-4pm (4 sessions)
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
Ages 12-16
Create a personalized silver ring and small sculptures out of copper and iron. Through the safe use of hammers, anvils, torches and shears, you will be challenged to problem-solve and think outside the box. Learn soldering, sizing, and working with a torch; surface decoration techniques to make your pieces all your own, and finishing techniques to make your jewelry safe and comfortable to wear and show off!
$275 Includes base materials. Additional materials available for purchase.
Guided Open Metals Studio
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
Guided Open Metals Studio is an environment where the creative and technical exchange of the group is as vibrant and important as that with Kerstin. Instruction is designed based on your individual needs. Expect challenges, new techniques, and a shared learning experience like no other. You choose what project(s) you want to work on. The only requirement: at least one metals class at CraftStudies and the openness to learn as much from the other students' work as your own.
Guided Open Metals Studio is offered every other Sunday, September through December 2023, for a total of 8 sessions:
September 10, 10am-3pm
September 24, 10am-3pm
October 8, 10am-3pm
October 22, 10am-3pm
November 5, 10am-3pm
November 19, 10am-3pm
December 3, 10am-3pm
December 17, 10am-3pm
We ask that students register for at least 3 sessions over the course of the term.
$300 for 3 session minimum. Additional sessions may be added for $100/session.
Please email hello@craftstudies.org to select your sessions & register.
Bench Time is included free of charge with your class registration. Free sessions equal to the number of GOMS sessions for which you are registered.
Introduction to Jewelry: Stacking Rings
Tuesdays, July 11-August 1, 2023
6pm-9pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
Learn the jewelry basics of sizing, forming, texturing, soldering and finishing while making 2-3 silver rings. Worn together they become a wearable puzzle, a complex play on texture and form; worn separately, simply beautiful rings anyone would be proud to wear. Estimated materials fee: $40
As of June 1, 2023, Bench Time is included free of charge with your class registration during the weeks of your class.
$250
Guided Open Metals Studio - Spring 2023
Three Session Workshop: July 9, 23 & August 6, 2023
10am-3pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
Guided Open Metals Studio is an environment where the creative and technical exchange of the group is as vibrant and important as that with Kerstin. Instruction is designed based on your individual needs. Expect challenges, new techniques, and a shared learning experience like no other. You choose what project(s) you want to work on. The only requirement: at least one metals class at CraftStudies and the openness to learn as much from the other students' work as your own.
As of June 1, 2023, Bench Time is included free of charge with your class registration during the weeks of your class.
$300
Introduction to Jewelry Design: Bezel Set Cobachons, Stone Setting & Finishing
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
Introduction To Bezel Set Cabochon: As an introduction to stone setting, students will work with round cabochon stones. Calculating, measuring and cutting skills will be combined with basic soldering skills to create a bezel setting. Students will learn the planning process for creating the finished piece incorporating the bezel set cabochon. Students will be provided with various design options as a starting point to create a ring, earrings or a pendant incorporating their bezel set cabochon.
Stone Setting And Finishing: Students will continue work on their bezel set piece. They will use stone setting tools to set the cabochon, and they will use the flex shaft with various abrasives to clean up and finish their pieces.
$200
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Session 1: The Basics, April 29, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for all other workshops in the series)
Session 2: Cold Connections, May 6, 2023
Session 3: Soldering, May 13, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for sessions 4, 5 & 6)
Session 4: Bangles & Cuffs, May 20, 2023
Sessions 5 & 6: Bezel Set Cobachon, Stone Setting & Finishing, June 10th & 17th, 2023
10% discount available for those who register for all six workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
As of June 1, 2023, Bench Time is included free of charge with your class registration during the weeks of your class.
Introduction to Jewelry design: Metals That Move
Mondays, June 5-26, 2023
6pm-9pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
In this 4-session class, challenge yourself by making sculpture or jewelry that moves, you decide. Come to our marvelous new studio and learn how to form, solder and forge wire and sheet metal to make your own creations.
$250 + Estimated materials fee of $45 payable to Kerstin.
As of June 1, 2023, Bench Time is included free of charge with your class registration during the weeks of your class.
Introduction to Jewelry Design: Bangles & Cuffs
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
Students will work with hammers, forming mandrels and stakes to bend and shape metal. We will introduce the rolling mill as an option for texturing metal. We will cover the concepts of work hardening and annealing metal. Students will be provided with several design options as a starting point to create a copper or brass cuff.
$100
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Session 1: The Basics, April 29, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for all other workshops in the series)
Session 2: Cold Connections, May 6, 2023
Session 3: Soldering, May 13, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for sessions 4, 5 & 6)
Session 4: Bangles & Cuffs, May 20, 2023
Sessions 5 & 6: Bezel Set Cobachon, Stone Setting & Finishing, June 10th & 17th, 2023
10% discount available for those who register for all six workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Introduction to Jewelry Design: Soldering
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
We will cover the principles and techniques of soldering with an overview of the workspace and safety, and students will practice joining various size pieces of copper before progressing to silver. Students will also learn the basics of making rings, measuring finger size and calculating lengths of metal for proper ring fit. Forming and texturing techniques learned in earlier classes will be applied to making a textured silver ring.
$100
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Session 1: The Basics, April 29, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for all other workshops in the series)
Session 2: Cold Connections, May 6, 2023
Session 3: Soldering, May 13, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for sessions 4, 5 & 6)
Session 4: Bangles & Cuffs, May 20, 2023
Sessions 5 & 6: Bezel Set Cobachon, Stone Setting & Finishing, June 10th & 17th, 2023
10% discount available for those who register for all six workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Introduction to Jewelry Design: Cold Connections
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
Building on skills learned The Basics Workshop, students will combine components made from sheet and wire using cold connections. We will introduce the flex shaft motor, various tools for forming and manipulating metal, and the jeweler’s torch as a heating tool will also be introduced. Students will learn to ball wire for making rivets. Students will create a completed piece which incorporates moving parts, either a pendant or earrings.
$100
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Session 1: The Basics, April 29, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for all other workshops in the series)
Session 2: Cold Connections, May 6, 2023
Session 3: Soldering, May 13, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for sessions 4, 5 & 6)
Session 4: Bangles & Cuffs, May 20, 2023
Sessions 5 & 6: Bezel Set Cobachon, Stone Setting & Finishing, June 10th & 17th, 2023
10% discount available for those who register for all six workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Introduction to Jewelry Design: The Basics
Teaching Artist: Melanie Considine
Students will be introduced to the studio workspace and several of the fundamental jewelry making materials, tools and techniques including planning work flow, measuring and cutting sheet metal using the jeweler’s saw, texturing metal with hammers, finishing with files, sanding and other finishing tools. We will work on creating a pair of textured domed copper earrings or a domed pendant.
$100
This workshop is available to take on it’s own, or as part of the Saturday morning Introduction to Jewelry Design series, all taught by Melanie:
Session 1: The Basics, April 29, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for all other workshops in the series)
Session 2: Cold Connections, May 6, 2023
Session 3: Soldering, May 13, 2023 (this workshop, or equivalent, required for sessions 4, 5 & 6)
Session 4: Bangles & Cuffs, May 20, 2023
Sessions 5 & 6: Bezel Set Cobachon, Stone Setting & Finishing, June 10th & 17th, 2023
10% discount available for those who register for all six workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Rings of All Kinds
Mondays, April 17-May 22, 2-23
5:30pm-8:30pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
Focus on the fundamentals of working in metal to make beautiful jewelry that you customize to fit you or a friend. Kerstin teaches you the techniques via demos and examples. You get to make your own design decisions in the context of the class's technical focus. We will start with silver stacking rings, move to earrings, and end up who knows where? You decide! Estimated materials fee of $50, payable to Kerstin.
$360
Basic Forging and Plannishing (using hammers)
Mondays, February 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023 (5 sessions) In Session
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
This class will focus on transforming sheet and wire into a beautiful bracelet, and at least one pair of earrings. The $50 material fee will cover the cost of copper and brass for the bracelets and practice earrings, along with silver for 1 pair of earrings. Silver can be purchased separately.
$300
Guided Open Metals Studio
February 19, March 5, March 19, 2023 (3 sessions) In Session
10 AM - 3 PM
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
GOMS is an environment where the creative and technical exchange of the group is as vibrant and important as that with Kerstin. Instruction is designed based on your individual needs. Expect challenges, new techniques, and a shared learning experience like no other. You choose what project(s) you want to work on. The only requirement: at least one metals class at CraftStudies and the openness to learn as much from the other students' work as your own.
The $10 lab fee is due at the first class.
$300
Introduction to Stone Setting
Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30 & February 6, 13, 2023 (6 sessions)
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
This class will focus on cabochon settings using smooth cut, semi precious gems while making a ring, a necklace or a pair of silver earrings. $50 materials fee payable to instructor.
$360
Sold Out
Stacking Rings
October 17 - November 14 (4 sessions, skip October 31)
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Teaching Artist: Kerstin Nichols
We will have 2 days of learning the metal jewelry basics of “sizing”, “forming”, “texturing”, “soldering” and “finishing” while making 2-3 silver rings. Worn together they become a wearable puzzle, a complex play on texture and form; worn separately, simply beautiful rings anyone would be proud to wear. Estimated materials fee, payable to Kerstin: $40
SOLD OUT
$250
Knife Making
Wednesdays, September 14 - October 19, 2022 (5 sessions, skips Oct 5)
5:30pm-8:30pm
Teaching Artist: Skip Cady
SOLD OUT
Through the use of grinders, files and fire, we will design a knife to fit your hand and your desired purpose. Whether you are foraging, cooking or carving, using a tool you made yourself, give a deeper connection to the work you do!
$325
Class & Workshop Policies
Please review our policies and procedures regarding registration, health and safety. Get all of your questions answered in advance.