JEWELRY CLASSES
**Minimum of 2 students to hold a class.
Please make sure to read our Cancellation/Refund Policy before registering. Cheers!
GOLDSMITHS APPRENTICE PROGRAM
During this comprehensive training program, equip yourself with the skills needed to enhance your jewelry techniques or if you are a beginner, start your journey in the jewelry trade.
With a focus on fine jewelry fabrication, GAP (Goldsmiths Apprentice Program) is designed to train the student as an apprentice, as it was throughout history when apprentices were taught the age-old practice of repetition to develop a skill while working under a master craftsperson.
GAP students will learn skills such as sawpiercing, filing, soldering, hand fabrication, stone setting, wax carving and casting, finishing, polishing and tool making, all with the focus being fine jewelry.Sharpen your skill set, strengthen your technique and level up your hand fabrication and finishing.
The Goldsmiths Apprentice Program is a 12 week program structured into 3 week sessions focusing on the fundamental skills of fine jewelry fabrication. Each apprentice is different so the program is designed to be flexible and move at each individuals pace. We meet you were you are at and we take you where you want to be.
Session #1 Fundamentals, Fire + Fabrication
Learn the fundamental basics of jewelry fabrication such as sawpiercing, filing, texturing, soldering, pouring ingots, rolling out metal, pulling wire, make a tool with precision measuring (learning to use dividers), prepare a bench pin. Simple fabrications such as making a bezel and bail for a cabochon stone pendant and setting it, and fabricate and solder a chain link bracelet with a toggle clasp.
Session #2 Ready, SET, Go
Beginning stone setting fundamentals and practice. The key word being PRACTICE. We provide ring blanks for each apprentice to practice over and over until they are proficient to set stones in the rings they have fabricated. Fabricate a tapered band and set a pearl, fabricate a tapered bezel ring, a tapered wave ring, and a wire setting for a pendant. Set stones in wire settings, tapered bezels and wave rings. Begin some ring sizing if time permits.
Session #3 Design, Carve, Cast + Finish
Practice wax carving and the skills needed to produce a finished wax to be cast. Learn the casting process and finishing work, which is emphasized. Finish work is IMPORTANT. No cutting corners. Set stones in the finished pieces. Multiple pieces are made to practice.
Session #4 Advanced Fabrication + Setting
Hand fabricate a three stone ring from stock. Hand fabricate a box clasp and chain. Advanced stone setting such as channel and bead setting.
Monday-Friday Program
Fall/Winter 2024-25
Sept 23-Oct 11 FULL
Nov 4-22 FULL
Dec 2-20 FULL
Jan 13-31 FULL
Spring/Summer 2025
March 3-21
March 24-April 11
April 28-May 16
May 19-June 6
Fall/Winter 2025-26
Nov 3-21
Dec 1-19
Jan 12-30
Feb 2-20
Session Tuition: $2250
Scholarships Available
For more information and to apply, contact [email protected]
*Dates are subject to change
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 THROUGH ADVANCED JEWELRY CLASSES
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*
......Email [email protected] to be put on the waitlist.....
10AM-5PM
Jan 11, 18, 25 CLASS IS FULL
July 22-24
Sept 16-18
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
Feb 2-5
Aug 26-29
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
June 30-July 3
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
Feb 11-13
Sept 2-4
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
Feb 17-20
Sept 9-12
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
February 24-27
Intro to Chasing: Jewelry 3 Days $325
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
Tool Kit may be purchased: $270 plus tax
June 24-26
CRAFT JEWELRY CLASSES
WIRE WRAPPING CLASSES
3 HOUR CLASS
TUITION: $75-$85
BEGINNING WIRE WRAPPING
This craft class introduces the student to the basic skills in the art of wire wrapping jewelry. Join Lacey Buell, a local jeweler, for a 3 hour class where she will introduce you to this creative art form! Stones and wire are all included. There is an additional cost of $20 to use Sterling Silver wire. Leave with a beautiful piece, or two, or three.... made by YOU! $75 Tuition
December 14 2pm-5pm
January 19 10am-1pm
February 16 10am-1pm
ADVANCED WIRE WRAPPING
In this 4 hour class, learn more advanced skills such as the "Tree of Life". All materials included. There is an additional cost of $20 to use Sterling Silver wire. $85 Tuition
TBA
COPPER CRAFT JEWELRY CLASS
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 flex shaft to do clean up. 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, focused on earrings, pendants, OR bracelets. $75 Tuition
December 21 2pm-5pm
February 16 2pm-5pm
METAL ARTS CLASSES
Sculptural Metalsmithing Workshop $350
Two Day Workshop with Alexandra Hart
December 7 + 8
Click on the link to Register:
Fold Forming Fest $350
with Alexandra Hart
September 6-7, 2025
10AM-5PM
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
Special Valentines Class: Make a Copper Rose February 6
