Where are you located?
Metal Arts Academy is located in downtown Auburn, CA.
This information is taken from Wikipedia….Auburn is the county seat of Placer County, California. Auburn is known for its California Gold Rush history, and is registered as a California Historical Landmark. It is part of the Sacramento metropolitan area and is home to the Auburn State Recreation Area, the site of a number of sporting endurance events. Events include the Western States Endurance Run; the Western States Trail Ride, also known as Tevis Cup Equestrian Ride; American River 50 Mile Endurance Run; American River 50 Mile Equestrian Ride; Way Too Cool 50 Kilometer Endurance Run; Auburn International Half Iron Triathlon; Auburn Century 100 Mile Bike Ride; Coolest 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race; Rio Del Lago 100 Mile Endurance Run; Sierra Nevada 50 Mile Endurance Run; and the Coolest Run: Ride & Tie.
Is there free parking?
Yes, parking is free. There is street parking in front of the school although we encourage students to use the parking lot just across the street from MAA as we have other businesses near us whose customers need to use the street parking. Since most of our classes are all day we leave the spaces out front available for people to come and go.
Do I have to have experience to take class?
No, you do not have to have experience. Beginners are welcome! Many students who attend are currently working as jewelers and take classes to improve their skills and learn new techniques, but many are completely new to the trade. Everyone is welcome.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes, there is an age requirement for the kids camps. For the jewelry camp it is 12 years and up and for the coppersmithing camp it is 10 years and up. The jewelry courses and metal courses are open to 16 years and up.
Do I have to purchase any tools?
No, we provide all of the tools and materials for each class/workshop that you register for. Any additional materials used may be purchased from us if needed. There is a Metal Arts Academy Kit sold through Otto Frei if you would like to invest in a tool kit to use at home.
What happens if I can’t take class after I have made a deposit?
If you are unable to attend class your deposit can be used towards any future class/workshop at MAA. Refunds on deposits can be made in the case of an emergency or illness.
I don’t understand some of the language used in the jewelry trade.
No problem, here are some common jewelry terms that will be addressed during class.
Chasing – Accent technique used to punch detail onto repousse-finished work.
Repousse – Raised, modeled designs that are hammered and punched from the back of a metal plate to raise the design on the front. The work is done with hand punches and hammers or is mechanically imposed with metal dies.
Blacksmithing – To create objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend, and cut.
Coppersmithing – A coppersmith, also known as a brazier, is a person who makes artifacts from copper and brass.
Sculpting – Sculpting metal is used in fabrication and sculpture. Gold is the softest and most precious metal and is used often in jewelry; with silver it is soft enough to be worked with hammers and other tools; repousse and chasing are among the techniques used in gold and silversmithing.
Raising – Raising is a metalworking technique whereby sheet metal is depressed in a stump or other solid object by repeated ‘courses’ of hammering and annealing.
Annealing – Annealing involves heating steel to a specified temperature and then cooling at a very slow and controlled rate.
Sawpiercing – A piercing saw, also known as a jeweler’s saw, is a type of saw commonly used in jewelry making to pierce out the metal. It is usually used on softer metals as the saw is delicate.
Disk cutting – Disk cutters are used to punch out disks from a sheet of metal. A disk cutter consists of two steel die plates, either separate, permanently attached with a calibrated space between them, or connected with a lever to raise and lower the top plate as needed.
Doming – Doming is the technique used when flat sheet metal or a flat metal blank is shaped into a concave formation, usually with the use of a doming block (or die) and punch set. Doming (also known as dapping) is an excellent way to get creative with your jewelry pieces.
Soldering – Solder is the small piece of alloyed metal that is melted in order to fuse two other pieces of metal together. The place where the metals are fused by solder is called a joint. The solder metal is of a lower melting temperature than the two pieces it is fusing. Solder comes in three types: hard, medium, and easy. All three types have different melting temperatures.
Do you do bench rentals?
Yes, we do rent out the benches to students who have attended classes at MAA. Please contact Rebecca in the office for more information.
I’m left handed, will I still be able to use all of the tools?
Yes, we have a designated bench for left-handed students.
Is there a payment plan?
If you need to set up a payment plan, Rebecca can help with that. We accept cash, checks, Square and Visa, MC, American Express, Discover and Apple Pay.
I’m coming from out of town. Are there places to stay near the school?
Yes, there are many options for housing near the school. Please contact Rebecca in the office for a list of hotels, motels and airbnb options.
Are there restaurants nearby or do I have to bring my lunch and snacks?
There are so many restaurants! You will never have trouble finding somewhere to eat something delicious. Rebecca has a list of some favorites in the office.
Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you!