Intro to Jewelry Making Course
This intensive course includes 12 class hours of jewelry making, covered over 4 days. Each student will learn the basics to jewelry making through various projects. You will dive into a hands-on classroom where you will design and fabricate jewelry in a supportive and creative atmosphere. Students will become familiar with all of the essential techniques, including sawing, heating and forming metal, soldering, ring making, bezel stone setting, polishing and finishing each piece. You’ll have the opportunity to make several pieces and learn new skills along the way.
This course includes:
12 hours of instructor-led coursework
Free open studio hours throughout the duration of the course
Copper and Brass Materials
All tools and equipment needed for the duration of the course
Scrap metals
All classes are held at Fleur, 13 E 4th Ave. Denver, CO 80203
Jewelry classes are limited to 6 people.
All materials and hand tools needed for the class are included in the price. If you want to work with other materials such as sterling silver or gold, let us know! We can often accommodate different materials for an added fee.
Class sales are final, but we will work with you to exchange a different class or use your funds for in-store credit if desired.
Curriculum:
Part 1: Reading Metal
Learning to "read metal" and understanding what to do in response to what the metal is telling you is one of the fundamentals to being a successful metalsmith. During the first class, we will learn what to look, listen and feel for when manipulating metal. Sawing, filing, annealing, texturing and forming metal will all be introduced in this first class, and will continue to be utilized throughout the rest of the course.
Throughout each lesson, we will continue learning safety in the studio and how to safely use the tools and materials.
Part 2: Soldering
After familiarizing yourself with the torch in week 1, week 2 will focus on soldering - joining two metals with sterling silver solder, heat and flux. You will continue to learn to read the metals and the stages of solder flow. Practice flush soldering and overlay soldering and get more and more comfortable working with a flame.
We will continue the class by making a simple stacking ring.
Part 3: Designing and Intro to Bezel Setting
In week 3, we will focus on sketching, model making and the process of transferring a design idea into metal. Students will be expected to design a ring, cuff, necklace, hairpin or earrings that feature the following elements: negative space due to sawing, textured or formed metal, a bezel set stone and at least three solder points.
Finally, we will learn the basics of creating a bezel, soldering a bezel setting, and securing a cabochon in the setting.
Part 4: Bezel Setting and Finishing
After three intensive classes, we will focus on fabricating a final piece with all elements learned throughout the last three weeks. Any techniques that need to be revisited will be touched on and one-on-one time will be set aside for each student.
By the end of the class, each student will walk away with a finalized piece that's been polished to their liking!