JEWELRY CLASSES
**Minimum of 2 students to hold a class.
Please make sure to read our Cancellation/Refund Policy before registering. Cheers!
OPEN STUDIO
Once you have taken a class at MAA, you can attend Open Studio on Fridays to work on projects, use the equipment and bend Michaels ear. Reserve a spot at the bench!
Fridays:
Morning Session 10am-12:30pm $30
Afternoon Session 1:30pm-4pm $30
All Day 10am-4pm $55
*Please check the calendar, sometimes we have a class scheduled on a Friday*
Beginning Jewelry Fabrication 1 $390 3 Days
In this 3 day workshop, learn the basic skills of jewelry fabrication including sawpiercing, soldering, filing, forming, texturing, annealing, and polishing. Technical vocabulary, tool and equipment use and shop safety is taught. Students learn the properties of metals such as copper, brass and sterling silver. This is a beginners class for those who have never had any jewelry instructions and for those who have had some experience and want to further their skills.
*Materials and use of tools included*
10AM-5PM
May 14-16
August 17, 24, 31
Oct 22-24
Beginning Jewelry Fabrication 2 $490 4 Days
In this 4 day continuation of BJF1, learn more comprehensive skills in basic fabrication such as disk cutting and doming, then piercing out the piece, as well as an introduction to stone setting and making a bezel. The skill of fabricating and filing a half round ring is also taught.
Prerequisite: BFJ1 or equivalent experience with sawpiercing and silver soldering.
*Materials and use of tools included*
10AM-5PM
October 28-31
Wax Carving + Intro to Casting $620 4 Days
In this 4 day workshop, learn to create a wax model by layout, carving, sawing and wax build-up. An introduction to casting includes making a plaster mold, burn out and casting in sterling silver.
Prerequisite: BFJ1 or equivalent experience with sawpiercing and silver soldering.
*Materials and use of tools included*
10AM-5PM
July 8-11
Stone Setting 1 $390 3 Days
Learn the basic skills of stone setting, including prong, flush and tube setting in this 3 day class. Also set a solitaire in a 4 prong setting.
Prerequisite: BFJ1 and BJF2 or equivalent experience with sawpiercing and silver soldering.
*Materials and use of tools included*
10AM-5PM
August 20-22
Stone Setting 2 $490 4 Days
Continue to learn new skills in setting shared prong stones and channel round stones in this 4 day class. Also set a square V prong setting.
Prerequisite: BJF1 and 2 and Stone Setting 1 or equivalent experience.
*Materials and use of tools included*
10AM-5PM
May 28-31
August 26-29
Introduction to Bead Setting $595 4 Days
Introduction to Bead Setting including how to shape and sharpen your graver, stone layout, setting in a flat plate, setting in a ring, and finish work.
*Tuition is $595 for the class and Tool Kit. Kit Includes 6 gravers, 6 handles and a beading tool.
Prerequisite: Stone Setting 1 or 2 or equivalent experience.
10AM-5PM
June 3-6
Soldering 101 $325 3 Days
Learn the basics of silver soldering in this three day intensive class. Tackle and learn how to solve different soldering situations that may arise. Learn how to solder wire to wire, end to end, wire to plate, sweat soldering, etc. Instruction of when and why to use different solder is covered with practical soldering knowledge and technique being the focus. Silver soldering, using propane/oxygen torches.
*Materials and use of tools included
10AM-5PM
July 1-3
Intro to Chasing: Jewelry $325
3 Days
Intro to Chasing: Jewelry
In this 3 day introduction to the small scale of jewelry chasing, we will be using die struck jewelry as our canvas. Topics include an introduction to the tools needed to chase, how to make the tools and how to use the tools in a way to bring your piece to life. The skills learned can be applied to hand fabricated pieces, cast pieces, and CAD alike.
Prerequisite: Bench skills required (saw piercing and filing)
Materials and tools needed are included in the tuition.
Tuition for the class: $325
If interested, Tool Kit may be purchased:
9 punches in the kit $270 plus tax
10AM-5PM
August 13-15 CLASS IS FULL
Oct 12, 19, 26
Anti-Clastic Bracelet Series
with Alexandra Hart $350 2 Days
We are so excited to be able to offer this class! What is anticlastic?
10AM-5PM
Sept 28-29
Craft Jewelry Workshops
3 Hours Tuition: $75
1. "Wire Wrapping with Lacey"
1. This 3 hour craft class introduces the student to the basic skills in the art of wire wrapping jewelry. Stones and wire all included. There is an additional cost of $20 to use Sterling Silver. Leave with a beautiful piece made by YOU!
$75 Tuition/Materials Included
2. "Copper Craft Jewelry"
2. Copper has begun to see a revival. Join us for this 3 hour craft jewelry class where you will be learning skills such as cutting, forming, filing, texturing, making earring wire, forging bracelets, hammering, stamping and using a foredom flexshaft to do clean up and polishing. All materials are included, metals used are copper and brass. There is an additional cost of $20 to use Sterling Silver. Everyone will leave with a completed project, focusing on earrings, bracelets or pendants.
$75 Tuition/Materials Included
*minimum of 2 students needed to hold class
3. "Make a Bezel Ring" COMING SOON
DATES:
MAY 26-
Beginning Wire Wrapping 10am-1pm
Copper Craft Jewelry 2pm-5pm
JULY 21-
Advanced Wire Wrapping 10am-2pm
"The Tree of Life" Pendant Project
AUG 18-
Beginning Wire Wrapping 10am-1pm
Copper Craft Jewelry 2pm-5pm
OCT 20-
Advanced Wire Wrapping 10am-2pm
Beginning and Intermediate
Hand Engraving for Jewelry
4 Days $950
In this 4 day class of beginning and intermediate jewelry hand engraving for jewelry and precious metals, you will learn the different pneumatic systems, proper workbench set up, graver preparation, microscope set up, work holding, how to make burnishers, scribes, transfers, cutting straight lines to curves, how to properly use you vice, lettering and scrolls. This class will introduce a strong foundation to you for working in the jewelry trade. Taught by Paul Lowe (@sp_hand_engraving)
10AM-5PM
Beginning Class:
July 6, 13, 20, 27
Sept 4-7
Intermediate Class:
Sept 9-12
METAL ARTS CLASSES
Coppersmithing Workshop $150
"Copper is one of the most important metals mentioned by ancient historians. It was known before the time of Tubal Cain, who was an educator in its works as well as brass and iron. Historians say that Cadmus discovered it and taught its application to his countrymen. It was noticed on the island of Euboea, near the city of Chalcis and this may be why the Grecian's called it 'chalcos', which is the name that Homer and other authors called it. The Romans knew copper as 'aes cyprum' and 'cyprum', names from the island of Cyprus, where some believe the art of working it was discovered. In the mystic nomenclature of alchemists, copper is known as Venus, the sacred goddess of Cyprus." We will start with a square of copper, and then circle the square to begin the process of raising the copper into a vessel or bowl. This project is difficult yet rewarding and fun, we learn through the experience with copper that rhythm does indeed replace power.
- Keith Gelber, Instructor
10AM-5PM
May 4
3 Day Chasing Workshop $525
Douglas Pryor, Instructor
8:30am-5:00pm
About the course:
Chasing is a style of relief work in sheet metal that can be applied to almost anything. From tea pots to battle armour it has been used to create sculptural narrative in metal throughout human history.
For me the art of chasing is a beautiful fusion between illustration and sculpture. The ability to transform any drawing into a three dimensional form is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of relief work.
In this 3 day course we’ll be focusing on building a knowledge base of different chasing techniques, material control, pitch management, and how to use illustration and design to compliment relief work in sheet metal.
Participants can expect to work on up to two projects in 18ga (approx 1mm) copper. The first project is a structured follow along design matched to the individual's skill level. If there is time the second project will be assigned on an individual basis to best complement their growth and interests.
Participants can be expected to draw, it is not a prerequisite as there are many projects that can be traced but drawing is highly encouraged. As sheet metal is shaped it distorts and changes in volume requiring the maker to redraw elements of the design by hand. Certain intermediate to advanced designs can only be made this way, but not to worry if drawing is a newer skill set as we have many available projects that only require tracing.
Participants can be expected to swing a hammer for 7-8 hours a day, the hammers are not very heavy but it should be kept in mind that it is very physical work.
All skill levels welcome!
TBD
Vessels $525 3 days
Douglas Pryor, Instructor
From Douglas Pryors Website:
Raising is one of the keys to opening many doors for deeper relief in sheet metal sculpture. Whether you’re making teapots or battle armour it is still nearly unrivaled for providing a sculptor with the access to shape sheet metal.
Vessels are a universally human need, the diversity of construction and use of vessels are almost limitless. A particular professional interest of mine has always been vessels and how they were made. Particularly vessels made from a single piece of material, and that is what we are tackling in this class.
How to raise a vessel from a single piece of metal using traditional hammering techniques.
We will cover vessel design, purpose, and decoration. However the focus of the course is specifically the efficient hammering technique and understanding the game of leverage needed to raise a vessel over shaping stakes. This is not sinking or dishing but true exploration of vessel construction over raising stakes.
What can you expect from this course and what you will need:
-Raising is very physical work, you’ll need to be fit enough to swing a 16 ounce hammer all day.
-This is a very good introduction to metal sculpting and will be suitable for all levels of metal workers.
-The material, shaping stakes, and raising/planishing hammers will all be provided.
-Hearing protection will be provided as this hammering is noisy work, however if you have your own more comfortable hearing protection you are welcome to bring it.
I could not live without this skill set, it literally crosses over into all of my sculptures. I started working with shaping stakes way before I even knew what chasing was and it is still the integral foundation for everything I make. I’m very excited to see how this will compliment your work and look forward to making some vessels with you!
8:30am-5pm
May 21-23
Intro to Chasing: 2 Day Workshop $350
Douglas Pryor, Instructor
From Douglas Pryors Website:
The art of sheet metal relief.
In this introduction to the world of sheet metal manipulation we will be exploring pitch management, chisel/punch design, and hammer control. We will be moving at a beginner to intermediate pace. I have lots of projects for us to choose from and I will encourage everyone to challenge themselves. The idea of this workshop is to become familiar with design techniques as well as material sciences involved in chasing, repousse, and uchidashi.
Participants can expect to work on up to two projects in 18ga (approx 1mm) copper. The first project is a structured follow along design matched to the individual's skill level. If there is time the following projects will be assigned on an individual basis to best complement their growth and interests. It is not unusual to require both days to complete one project. Even though a two day course can feel pressured for time I have always been able to make our limited time together inviting, comprehensive, and fulfilling.
Participants can be expected to draw, it is not a prerequisite as there are many projects that can be traced but drawing is highly encouraged. As sheet metal is shaped it distorts and changes in volume requiring the maker to redraw elements of the design by hand. Certain intermediate to advanced designs can only be made this way, but not to worry if drawing is a newer skill set as we have many available projects that only require tracing.
Bringing a sketchbook or notebook is encouraged.
All tooling and materials will be provided.
You are most welcome to bring your own safety gear such as ear and eye protection to make yourself more comfortable, but safety gear can also be provided on site.
Participants can be expected to swing a hammer for 7-8 hours a day, the hammers are not very heavy but it should be kept in mind that it is very physical work.
All skill levels welcome!
8:30am-5pm
TBD
From Douglas Pryors Website:
2 Week Intensive Sculptural Chasing Workshop:
This is the 2024 workshop I’m the most excited for, at no other event can I offer so much during one course. This two week intensive exploration of high relief sheet metal sculpture will cover all the techniques I need to accomplish the unique aspects of my work. We will be learning how to use raising and shaping stakes in combination with chasing, repousse, and uchidashi techniques to make high relief sculptures.
What to expect in this 2 week chasing intensive:
If you have not worked with me in person before, the way I run workshops of this nature is to begin everyone with a thoroughly structured warm up project. This allows us a day or two to cover the tooling, the pitch, material sciences, technique and design strategy. As well as allowing me time to learn where everyone is coming from in the class.
The second project will be an open discussion based on the individuals strengths and interests.
I have a wide variety of intermediate to advanced designs that can be chosen, or you can try and tackle your own design after discussing it with me first.
This is one of the things that makes this workshop so special is that we will have the extra time for me to be there helping folks through the challenges of their own design.
Be Prepared:
If you plan to attempt your own design I would strongly encourage you to have drawings and reference photos prepared in advance. I personally think it’s a pretty big challenge to ask someone to try and sculpt something they have not drawn before.
So be prepared to draw and be prepared to sculpt. We will have modeling clay and sculpting tools on hand for folks as well in order to rough out their ideas if you are a more visual thinker.
The nature of metal sculpture is loud and very physical.
Be prepared to swing a hammer 7-8 hours a day for many days in a row.
Earring protection will be provided but if you have any personalized ear or safety equipment you cannot live without then be sure to bring it.
And as always I would recommend bringing any kind of sketchbook. It is our number one tool to never be without.
Timeline:
This two week chasing intensive course starts June 18th and concludes on June 28th.
Two weeks is a longtime to go without breaks with such physical work.
So Sunday, June 23rd, will be our day off to rest or sight see. That will offer us 10 days (two 5 day sessions) to hammer and sculpt to our hearts content without working ourselves to exhaustion.
Everyday class will start at 8am, we’ll break for a 45-60 minute lunch at 12:30pm, and class will close at 5pm.
Tooling/Materials Provided:
All of the hammers, shaping stakes, chasing punch sets, pitch bowls, as well as safety equipment will be on hand for us. Everything I would need to accomplish my artwork will be available for our class.
Everyone will be provided with a few pieces of 18ga-16ga (approx 1mm-1.6mm) copper for the warm up and second project.
If you choose to make your own custom piece that has a larger unique size/thickness or different metal type we can arrange that as an additional material fee to meet your needs.
8:00am-5:00pm $1800
2 Week Chasing Intensive