Find information on upcoming classes and explore classes available for private or school room instruction.
11 and half days of intensive
class in person instruction
The Heart of the Maker is
a truly unique experience!
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The Heart of the Maker Retreat at The Makery
October 17-28 2021
Spring 2022
The Art of Intarisia - A New Approach to an Old Technique - Jan 21 -23, 2022
Arizona Designer Craft & Art - Tucson, AZ
Intarsia is the art of creating stone to stone inlay jewelry; a technique in which the artist fits stones directly against each other, requiring great precision of cutting and design.
In this class we will explore the ways to cut and reassemble stones in interesting patterns to create a cabochon that can be used in jewelry design. Each student will be required to have a basic Lapidary I understanding of how to cut and polish a stone to create a cabochon.
The class will include complete instruction on how to cut and assemble rough stone material then reshape and polish to create a cabochon. Instruction will include the use of all gemstone material and alternative materials such as wood and bone. We will also discuss stone properties and how they respond to each other in the intarsia application.
In this three day class each student can expect to complete one cabochon.
Tools we will be using: Flat Lapidary Machine, Lapidary Machines and polishing machines.
Learn
Bringing over 35 years of experience to the classroom through private instruction or school curriculum.
Please contact me for more information or class syllabus.
Interested in any other techniques?
I am happy to tailor a class to your needs.
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How to design jewelry
This course is designed to give you a deep understanding of the fundamentals of design theory as it applies to making jewelry. We will explore color, shape, texture and function and how to develop skills that will help you create strong designs and work habits for consistent productivity.
Lecture, demos, exercises and images.
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Introduction to Metal Fabrication
This class focuses on understanding design principles, the importance of drawing to help conceptualize your ideas and all extensive fabrication techniques including sawing, shaping metal, soldering, cold connections, filing, stone setting techniques and surface embellishments and finishing. This class can be tailored to any skill level from beginner to intermediate.
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Soldering Basics - Class focuses on learning the basic soldering techniques in sterling silver, brass, copper and nickel silver. Students will learn to solder hollow forms, the overlay technique, and much more.
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The Art of Metal Manipulation- Shell-forming, fold-forming, scoring and more - Class delves into the fascinating world of shaping metal. Instruction includes shell-forming, fold-forming and scoring hollow forms to create unique pieces of art jewelry.
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Keum boo, An Ancient Technique with Modern Applications - Learn the amazing art of Keum boo, fusing high-karat gold to sterling silver. The class will focus on an in-depth understanding of the technique and how to incorporate it into your work. Emphasis on application to curved, textured and complicated pieces. Will include finishing and patina.
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Etching Non-Ferrous Metals and Beyond - Learn to etch non-ferrous metals, brass, copper and German silver (nickel). The class will cover a variety of construction techniques, including hollow form, fold-forming, shell-forming and box construction, cold and solder connections, coloring metal and incorporating mixed media. Beginners to advanced will learn valuable techniques to apply to any project.
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Cold Connections with a Twist - Learn to incorporate found objects, mixed media, cabochons and much more into your work without soldering! Emphasis on creative thinking and problem-solving to make your work stand out!
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Tufa Casting - Learn the art of casting in tufa, a very soft stone. The class will include preparing tufa from the rough material, design, casting, finishing and patina. Creating with tufa allows you cast a unique piece without complicated casting equipment. Tufa casting creates a very organic texture that will make your jewelry unique!
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Polychrome on Metal - Application of colored pencil on metal. Class will include complete instructions on how to add colored pencils to your work and make it stay!
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Creative Stone Setting - Creative Stone-Setting - This class will cover bezel and prong settings and address alternative techniques to adding cabochons and gemstones to your work, such as tubes, thick bezels and tension sets.
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Stoned - Interested in adding stones to your work but don't know where to start? The lecture course discusses the fascinating world of semiprecious and precious stones, what to look for when purchasing, application considerations, and collecting.
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Intarsia and Basic Lapidary - Instruction on basic lapidary techniques to create your own cabochons. Advanced instruction in the art of Intarsia, the art of creating stone to stone inlay jewelry; a technique in which the artist fits stones directly against each other, requiring great precision of cutting and design. Lab and lectures.
Class Descriptions
