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Metalsmithing, Jewelry & Glass
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Interested in making jewelry, wearable art or small sculpture? Our Metalsmithing, Jewelry and Glass department has a wide range of workshops, classes, tools and materials for all skill levels. Whether you’re a first-time creator or you have been working with metals for years, our teaching artists are here to help develop and nurture your growing skills. With 3 dedicated classrooms and a group studio for artists working in metal, there is sure to be a class and open studio time to fit your schedule.
Paid Open Studio
First-Time Artist
This is a great option if you have experience working in a metals studio but can’t find a class that fits your schedule, or you just need to finish up a project. There are approximately 55 hours of monitored open studio hours available each week at varying times, Monday through Sunday.
For those who have registered in a class within the last year. No approval needed. $50, Members $45 per week $20 per day
For those who have not been registered in a class within the last year. Director approval is required.
$75, Members $70 per week $30 per day
For those not able to register for a 10-week class but need instructor guidance during a scheduled class time. Intermediate to advanced levels only. Director approval required. $45 per class
Enamel: $50 for 5 sessions $15 per individual session
First-Time Metalsmith 5 Weeks
This is a project-based introduction to basic metalworking skills. Each week, you will create a new project ranging from band rings to bracelets. Each project is designed to be completed within that class. A material kit is required and can be purchased on the first day of class.
Monday 10am-1pm Gabriel Mo Session I: Starts March 30 Session I: Starts May 4
Tuesday 6:30–9:30pm Meghann Sottile Session I: Starts March 31 Session II: Starts May 5
Sunday 5-8pm Jesse Torres-Medina Session I: Starts April 5 Session II: Starts May 10 $180, Members $175 $15 First-Time Metalsmithing Kit
Beginner/ Advanced Beginner
Metalsmithing I 10 Weeks Design and create jewelry and small sculptures in silver, copper, and brass. Learn basic skills such as sawing, texturing, soldering, and polishing. Simple forming techniques and bezel-setting stones will also be demonstrated. Returning students will work on refining these skills. A material kit is recommended and available for purchase on the first day of class for first-time students.
Monday 6:30–9:30pm Neil Kraus Starts March 30
Thursday 10am–1pm Joshua Herman Starts April 2
Wednesday 2-5pm Gabriel Mo Starts April 1
Saturday 10am–1pm Carla Nessa Starts April 4 $340, Members $330 $30 Beginning Metals Kit
Metalsmithing II 10 Weeks Focus on refining your approach to design, soldering, stone setting, and finishing. Explore patinas and other means of joining metals. This is the perfect class if you are looking to gain more confidence with the fundamentals and design thinking when taking a project from start to finish.
Prerequisite: Two sessions of Metalsmithing I
Tuesday 10am–1pm Joshua Herman Starts March 31
Wednesday 6:30–9:30pm Neil Kraus Starts April 1
Saturday 2-5pm Carla Nessa Starts April 4
Sunday 10am-1pm Neil Kraus Starts April 5 $340, Members $330
Beginning/Advanced Beginning Glass Fusing 5 Weeks Develop familiarity with the tools, materials, and basic techniques for fusing glass. Learn to cut, design, and layout glass to create jewelry, accessories, or small trays. Material fee includes kiln firings, three pieces of base glass along with a variety of scrap glass, frit, and stringers.
Thursday 6:30–9:30pm LeJean Easley Session I: Starts April 2 Session II: Starts May 7 $185, Members $180 $60 Material Fee
Liquid Form Enamel on Steel 5 Weeks
Using low-carbon steel, explore liquid form enamel’s possibilities through color mixing, watercolor-like washes, sgraffito and spraying liquid enamels. Jewelry, sculpture and small panel paintings can be made by kiln-fusing color enamel glass to the steel surface. Simple soldering on steel, sandblasting and kiln firings enamels will be covered throughout these processes. Prerequisite: Metalsmithing I or instructor approval
Saturday 2-5pm Cat Bowyer Session II: Starts May 9 $185, Members $180 $40 Material Fee
Copper Electroforming 5 Weeks Electroforming is a metal plating method that slowly deposits copper on to the surface of your work to create more density and support. You will start by exploring a variety of processes of plating on copper foils, waxes, and plastics. You will then move on to more complex methods that relate to your particular interests, like jewelry making and sculpture. Prerequisite: Metalsmithing I or instructor approval
Monday 2-5pm Cat Bowyer Session I: Starts March 30 Session II: Starts May 4
Custom Pin Backs 5 Weeks Up your brooch and pin game by learning to construct your own pin mechanisms! The functional heart of a brooch lies in its pin, and this class will introduce possibilities for matching your mechanism designs with the aesthetic and practical needs of your pieces. Each week we will discuss and create different sample variations, as well as delve into the mechanics that make them work.
Prerequisite: Metalsmithing I or instructor approval
Wednesday 6:30-9:30pm Gabriel Mo Session I: Starts April 1
Monday 2-5pm Gabriel Mo Session II: Starts May 4 $185, Members $180
Enameling Techniques: Make Your Mark 5 Weeks Using a variety of materials, you will learn techniques such as sgraffito, how to sift colors using scrapbooking stamps, making your own stencils, and how to transfer a design to your metal base. Acrylic paints, watercolors, ceramic pencils, graphite, lusters, lumps, threads, and P-3 will also be discussed.
Copper and enamels are available for sale from instructor Prerequisite: First Time Enameling or equivalent experience
Monday 10am-1pm Cindy Heineman Session I: Starts March 30 $185, Members $180 $10 Material Fee
Working with Wax & Casting 10 Weeks
Explore the three-dimensional possibilities of hard wax for carving and soft wax for modeling. You can expect to complete two small pieces, such as rings, charms, or miniature sculptures. Two castings will be done in class, and waxes can be brought to a production caster for a nominal fee.
Monday 6:30–9:30pm Pam Robinson Starts March 30
Sunday 2–5pm Neil Kraus Starts April 5 $350, Members $340 $25 Material Fee
Organic Forms in Silver 5 Weeks So often the term “organic” is misused to describe pieces that are rustic or unfinished. During this course, we focus on truly organic forms – meaning ‘natural and occurring in nature.’ From leaves to hollow pods to oceanic structures, we explore creating pieces inspired by the biological world around us. Prerequisite: Metal clay experience is helpful, but not necessary
Sunday 12-4pm Katie Baum Session II: Starts May 10 $250, Members $245 $100 Material fee includes most Metal Clay needed for projects
Metalsmithing III 10 Weeks
Develop your ability to solder, create three-dimensional forms, and set stones. Design, craftsmanship, and refining techniques will all be discussed. This class is for those who are ready to expand and hone their advanced skills. Prerequisite: Metalsmithing II or instructor approval
Wednesday 2–5pm Darlys Ewoldt Starts April 1
Saturday 10am-1pm Pam Robinson Starts April 4 $375, Members $365
Hollow Forming and Fabrication: Vessels and Beyond 10 Weeks
Explore the possibilities of sheet metal as a container for space as we investigate methods of forming, constructing, and combining volumetric forms. Through demonstrations and guided development of personal projects, we will discuss techniques of soldered hollow construction, smithing, shell-forming, and their potential for functional, sculptural, and decorative design. Prerequisite: Metalsmithing II or instructor approval
Thursday 6:30-9:30p Gabriel Mo Starts April 2 $375, Members $365
Advanced Topics in Metal 10 Weeks You will work independently on projects and receive personalized attention. This class focuses on the design and development of more advanced technical skills.
Prerequisite: Advanced metalsmithing skills or instructor approval
$185, Members $180 $50 Material Fee Tuesday 2-5pm Pam Robinson Starts March 31 $375, Members $365
Textured Silver Bangles 1 Day Create your own set of sterling silver bangles from start to finish. Learn to measure, texture, form, and solder wire, which you will then finish by oxidizing with a satin finish or applying a high polish. You will leave with three sterling silver bangles that are a custom fit for your wrist. All levels welcome
Friday, April 24 6:30-9pm Pam Robinson
$65, Members $60 $25 Material Fee
Starting with thin gauge copper and a hammer, you’ll construct a bowl using multiple folds for decoration and stability. Next, you’ll learn enameling techniques such as sifting, stenciling, Limoges, and sgraffito to embellish your curved object creating depth and texture. Layer opaque and transparent enamels to create a colorful palette. Prerequisite: First-Time Enameling
Sunday, May 3 10am-3pm Nancy Sickbert-Wheeler
Ages 10-16
Teen Metalsmithing 5 Weeks Create cool metal jewelry or small sculpture out of brass and copper sheet & wire. You will learn various skills such as piercing, forming, texturing, and soldering, leading to the creation of their own designs.
Saturday 10am–1pm Cat Bowyer Session I: Starts April 4 Session II: Starts May 9 $180, Members $175
Workshops
Fused Glass Open Studio 1 Day
When you just need time to work on your project with the tools in the studio you can come to open studio. All tools are available to be used. Bring your own glass. You are restricted to a 10”x10” amount of space. Prerequisite: You must have taken a fused glass class in the last two years, or instructor approval
Enameled Steel Earrings 1 Day
Create a lightweight pair of colorful enameled earrings on pre-enameled steel plates. Steel is lightweight and strong, so you can make a big statement without them being too heavy. Explore color with liquid form enamels and dry sifted enamel using stencils. You can expect to create at least one pair of earrings and process samples. Prerequisite: First-Time Metalsmith or Metalsmithing I preferred
Sunday, April 26 1-5pm Cat Bowyer $115, Members $110 $25 Material Fee
Textured Silver Stacking Rings 1 Day
Adorn your finger by creating three textured rings in silver. You’ll start by learning how to properly size metal for the best fit. Then we’ll hammer, form, solder and add a finish to complete your rings. Leave with your own set of handmade rings! All levels welcome
Friday, May 15 6:30-9pm Pam Robinson
Monday, April 6 6:30-9:30pm LeJean Easley Monday, May 18 6:30-9:30pm LeJean Easley
$35
Saw Piercing Perfection 1 Day Improve your saw-piercing skills by understanding the jeweler’s saw and the techniques used to pierce intricate designs in metal. Gain experience with various types of saw frames, blade sizes, and designs. Please bring a small (no larger than 3”x3”) detailed design you would like to pierce. Your instructor will have additional designs available. Prerequisite: First-Time Metalsmith
Sunday, April 19 10am-1pm Rachel Stork $95, Members $90 $25 Material Fee
Luscious Lips in Enamel 1 Day Starting with a variety of lip designs, you’ll saw pierce and file copper sheet to create the base for your enamel. Next, using powdered glass, you’ll learn sifting and markmaking techniques to build layers and dimension to your lips. After it’s been fired in a kiln, you’ll be able to wear your beautiful creation home. Students can expect to make one necklace.
All levels welcome
Friday, May 1 6:30-9:30pm Cindy Heineman
$75, Members $70 $25 Material Fee
$75, Members $70 $25 Material Fee $65, Members $60 $10 Material Fee
Reduce and Reuse 1 Day
Whether they are scraps of silver from a piece you made in a class, or jewelry that you don’t wear because they are broken or not your style, let us help you turn those pieces into something new and exciting. You will receive one-on-one instructor time, explore the elements of design, and discuss new techniques. Walk away with the confidence to create something fun and unique.
Bring your scrap and jewelry pieces to the workshop. Prerequisite: First-Time Metalsmith or instructor approval
Saturday, April 18 2-5pm Joshua Herman Wednesday, May 20 6:30-9:30pm Joshua Herman
Introduction to the Hydraulic Press 1 Day This fast-paced workshop is an introduction to using the hydraulic press to create form and texture in metal. We will experiment with embossing, pillowing, and die-cutting techniques to achieve quick and repeatable results. Each participant will make custom individual dies that can be used in limitless combinations to form metal in ways unique to the hydraulic press.
Please note this is a samples-based workshop and not geared towards a single project. Prerequisite: Metalsmithing I
Saturday, June 20 10am-5pm Sarah Chapman
$240 $17 Material Fee
Advanced Hydraulic Press Topics: All the Bells & Whistles 1 Day This workshop will concentrate on combining different forming capabilities and accessories of the hydraulic press to achieve complex forms in metal. We will cover the basics of the bending brake assembly, bracelet forming devices, and combinations of dies to create three-dimensional pieces. We will discuss how the press is well suited to making multiples for production work or one-of-a-kind pieces.
Please note this is a samples-based workshop and not geared towards a single project. Prerequisite: Introduction to the Hydraulic press, equivalent experience or instructor approval
Sunday, June 21 10am-5pm Sarah Chapman
$240 $6 Material Fee
Textile Techniques in Metal 3 Days Learn to apply traditional textile techniques to sheet metal and wire. These techniques allow you to make intricate jewelry and sculpture with a few simple tools and can be applied to both largeand small-scale designs. Create samples of flat and textured weaves, and three-dimensional forms with crochet, coiling, and plating. These techniques can help lead to the creation of a finished piece. No previous experience required
Friday-Sunday, September 11-13 9:30am-4pm Jesse Mathes
$475 if registered by May 15 $575 if registered by August 30
$60 Kit fee payable to instructor
OPEN STUDIO WE HAVE FREE DID YOU KNOW? FREE
AT LILLSTREET ART CENTER
Free open studio is oered to students currently enrolled in: • Ceramics • Digital Arts & Photography • Drawing & Painting • Metalsmithing & Jewelry • Printmaking & Book Arts • Textiles • Ceramics • Drawing & Painting • Metalsmithing & Jewelry • Photography • Printmaking & Book Arts • Textiles
