Jewelry Art Studio
Class Descriptions
Classes at Gifts of Avalon
Gifts Of Avalon
NW 16 BLVD Gainesville, FL 32605
Ph. (352)379-1272
One week class ( 2 days)
We meet on Monday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:30
This shorter version is geared to projects that can be completed in two sessions.
It will be more project and technique specific.
materials are not included but are available.
Handouts will be provided with every class. If you need glasses for close work please bring them!
Please sign up at least one week before class begins if possible
2 Night Classes .
NW 16 BLVD Gainesville, FL 32605
Ph. (352)379-1272
One week class ( 2 days)
We meet on Monday and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:30
This shorter version is geared to projects that can be completed in two sessions.
It will be more project and technique specific.
materials are not included but are available.
Handouts will be provided with every class. If you need glasses for close work please bring them!
Please sign up at least one week before class begins if possible
2 Night Classes .
Basic Soldering:
This one or two day session deals with the basic chemistry and setup for soldering small items. You will learn how to set up a minimal soldering operation on a small budget of under 100.00. I explain solders, fluxes, pickling acids and fire scale as well as annealing and work hardening. You will learn about the various tools, materials and supplies that can be improvised and found locally as well as other tips and tricks. I give demos and you will make and solder jumprings during the first session. The second session covers the use of various torches several different types of joins used to do such things as make bezels, rings, attach posts, join links together and appliqué sheet and wire. You will have tech samples, notes and handouts for future reference and there will be hands on practice. This is a great preliminary class if you want to take other project classes or if you are thinking about setting up your own studio for soldering. However it is not a prerequisite. Lot's of opportunity to ask questions and solve problems.
1 or 2 days 2.5 hours each or Saturday
Jump rings:
We will cover the basics of making coils on mandrels in various diameters and using the jeweler’s saw to cut the coils into rings and making head pins with a torch. The class will make round and oval jump rings and use them to make a chain. We will join rings with and without solder. We will explore how to use jump rings in bead and jewelry projects. I will share tips and tricks to make constructing and working with jump rings easier and faster. Handouts on jump ring making will be provided.
The basics of jumpring making are now covered in the first soldering class.
Cabochon set stone pendant:
This is an introduction to basic silver smithing class. You will learn to make a simple pendant with a bezel set cabochon stone. We use the basics of soldering, and learn some texturing, drilling, filing, sawing, and stone setting techniques to make a pendant from sheet and wire silver or copper. You will learn about the various tools, tips and tricks for constructing and setting a stone. We will be using a smallish stone no bigger than 12 x 15 mm. One of the focuses of this class is using the inexpensive butane torch for easy home set up. Bigger stones will require using the bigger torch. Bring your own or some are available at the store.
Stone setting in a ring:
This is an introduction to basic silver smithing class. You will learn to make a simple ring with a bezel set cabochon stone. We use the basics of soldering, and learn some texturing, drilling, filing, sawing, and stone setting techniques to make a pendant from sheet and wire silver or copper. You will learn about the various tools, tips and tricks for constructing and setting a stone. We will be using a smallish stone no bigger than 12 x 15 mm. One of the focuses of this class is using the inexpensive butane torch for easy home set up. However, if you want to use a bigger stones we can use the bigger torch. Bring your own or some are available at the store.
2 days 2.5 hours each or 6 hours on Saturday
Open back cabochon:
This class will focus on making an open back bezel and setting a cabochon stone. For this project we will make a simple pendant with an open back. We will use a cabochon stone of any size with a flat or rounded back or fused glass cab. We will use an inexpensive butane torch that can be bought at the class or any hardware store. The benefits of this technique are a large stone can be set using minimal silver and the craft type torch is all that is needed. The final piece will be reversible. This is a good way to set small cabs that you want to have open backs or that have rounded backs and large stones that would other wise require a large piece of silver for the back and a bigger torch.
2 Night Class 2.5 hours each or 6 hours on Saturday
Rings:
We will make a plain band without stones. Students will practice soldering on copper then solder a silver band. The project will include learning how to determine the ring size and make the blank. Students will choose among embellishment techniques including stamping, piercing, drilling, appliqué, and texturing. Tools will include the jeweler’s saw, files, hammers, and basic soldering equipment. There will be demonstrations and several variations on the basic project to choose from. Handouts covering band making and basic soldering will be provided
2 days 2 .5 hours each
Open studio:
We will use this time to start new projects, finish a project and get advice using the flex shaft and accessories, or work on something of your design. Primarily for people who have taken my basic classes and want to get more information or try a project of their own. If you have some experience and want to get advice, experience, and inspiration to move ahead , this would be good or you. Complicated projects might not get finished in the 5 or 6 hours allowed but it will be a great start and chance to do some problem solving and get technical advice, work on soldering bigger things or just asking questions. You can use wire and/or sheet to make bracelets, rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, chains or necklaces. I can help you with designing, layout, cutting, bending, drilling, texturing, sawing and filing sheet and wire silver or copper. 2 night class limit on this one 5 people
Finishing:
This class will be an opportunity to finish up any project from a previous class or just learn about finishing techniques but will give students the chance to finish a project started in another class. We will cover patinas, various finishes possible with rotary tools, flex shaft or Dermal, hand finishing for different effects and hammer finishing.
1 day 2.5 hours or 6 hours on Saturday
Bails, Toggles and Clasps:
We will make toggles, clasps and bails in a variety of ways using silver and copper. Some will require simple soldering and some can be made without soldering. We will make several versions of the bails for different uses as well as ‘S’ hook clasps and toggles. I'll demonstrate ways to embellish the basic pendant bail with texturing and hammering, drilling and soldering using wire and sheet. The class will have time to make clasps and bails for use in future beading or jewelry projects. Handouts covering design and technical possibilities will be provided.
1 evening 2.5 hours or 6 hours on a Saturday incorporated with a basic soldering workshop
Elements:
This class is called "throwing bones". In this class the instructor will be showing the use of several jewelry making tools and techniques. You will be making elements or using found objects to be used in other beading and jewelry projects. The class project will involve designing and making elements that can be used with chains or bead strands or made into earrings, bracelets, or pendants. You will be learning techniques such as piercing, sawing, hammer texturing, drilling, filing, stamping and assembling This jewelry design system evolved from my interests in chance design, board games and found objects. The Shamans threw bones or stones on the ground into a specially drawn circle and observed what configuration they formed and used their intuition to make a decision. Many cultures use chance design and intuition to tell the future or make things happen. The Druids used runes. The Chinese use the I Ching, the gypsies use Tarot cards. These ancient systems have some similarities to modern day board games. Rolling dice to determine the next move then rearranging small objects around a board. I have always been interested in the objects used in these various systems. The elements of design, the runes, I Ching sticks, cards, dice and game pieces are fascinating. I think part of the allure of these systems is not just the out come but also the process and the "parts". The idea of found objects also plays into chance design. The outcome will be a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Handouts covering design and technical possibilities will be provided.
3 days 2.5 hours each this class is a little longer than other and cost more.
Hearts:
In this class I will be showing the use of several jewelry making tools and techniques. You will be making hearts that can be used in other jewelry projects or as a finished project. The class will be about designing and making hearts into earrings, bracelets, or pendants. You will be learning techniques such as soldering, piercing, sawing, texturing, forging, drilling, filing, stamping and assembling with silver wire and sheet.
2 days 2.5 hours each
Using Scrap;
This workshop is about what to do with your sheet and wire scrapes and old jump rings, chain, unfinished projects, yard sale finds and other "junk". Turn you trash into treasure. We will use the torch, hammer, saw and drill to manipulate them in several different ways to make parts for pendants, charms, links for bracelets and elements for beading projects. We will use the torch to join parts and completely re-work the metal.
Overlay earrings:
This class will focus on using the jewelers saw to cut curved lines and shapes. I'll show you how to use files and rotary tools to clean up and shape edges. We will make a pair of earrings using cut and soldered parts. We will also investigate ways to make and attach posts and ear wires
2 days 2 .5 hours each
Cuff Bracelet:
We will make a wire and sheet bracelet and use forging, bending, cutting, drilling, texturing sheet and wire shapes and soldering to create the design within a frame.
2 night class
3 week Classes (six nights):
We meet 6 times for 3 weeks on Mondays and Thursdays. This class goes from 6 pm to 8:30. This session covers lots of ground for the basics with lots of tips from my years of being a production jewelry maker. If you think you want to learn about making metal jewelry that involves soldering this is a great way to get stated. If you have some experience and want to go a little more in depth, these 3 week sessions will provide lots of time to ask questions and work on a more complicated project.
Please sign up at least one week before class begins if possible. If the class is full there will be a waiting list for next available class. Refunds if the class doesn't fill.
All classes are limited to 6 or 7 so there will be lot's of personal attention and opportunity for questions and answers
Beginning Jewelry Making 101 (this is the class I teach at the UF Rietz Union)
I will teach some basic soldering and hand tool techniques and give some tips on setting up a home studio using locally available tools, materials, supplies and torches. Safety will be covered also. We will cover some of the basics such as using the saw, files, pliers, hammers, torches and finishing tools. We will be working with sheet and wire. We will complete at least one project pendant with a bezel set stone or ring with stone. No metal smithing experience needed but good hand eye coordination will help you succeed. If you need glasses for close work, bring them! This is a 7 night session.
There are hundreds of possibilities and designs to be explored. Not everything can be learned in one class but this will get you started and if your interest continues you can repeat the classes and I will help you make increasingly difficult projects. If you progress quickly you can do/ start as many projects as you like in the time allowed.
Jewelry Construction 102
This class will focus on more complicated construction and design. Soldering with multiple solders and/or stone setting. We may make a variety of projects including rings, bracelets or pendants with bezel set stones. I will also help you make your design if you have a project in mind. The projects will depend on the level of the students attending. Techniques being explored will include sawing, filing, drilling, stone setting, texturing, forging, box construction and finishing. You will learn more about how to handle tools and solve design and construction problems as well as make at least one piece of jewelry. Lots of tips and tricks will be passed along. Some experience will help. Bring sketch books and design ideas, if you want to use them. Don't forget your glasses. Most important, bring your questions.
This is a 6 night session 6:00 to 8:30
6 classes in 3 weeks
Peter 352 .373. 6813
http://www.giftsofavalon.com/
©2010
This one or two day session deals with the basic chemistry and setup for soldering small items. You will learn how to set up a minimal soldering operation on a small budget of under 100.00. I explain solders, fluxes, pickling acids and fire scale as well as annealing and work hardening. You will learn about the various tools, materials and supplies that can be improvised and found locally as well as other tips and tricks. I give demos and you will make and solder jumprings during the first session. The second session covers the use of various torches several different types of joins used to do such things as make bezels, rings, attach posts, join links together and appliqué sheet and wire. You will have tech samples, notes and handouts for future reference and there will be hands on practice. This is a great preliminary class if you want to take other project classes or if you are thinking about setting up your own studio for soldering. However it is not a prerequisite. Lot's of opportunity to ask questions and solve problems.
1 or 2 days 2.5 hours each or Saturday
Jump rings:
We will cover the basics of making coils on mandrels in various diameters and using the jeweler’s saw to cut the coils into rings and making head pins with a torch. The class will make round and oval jump rings and use them to make a chain. We will join rings with and without solder. We will explore how to use jump rings in bead and jewelry projects. I will share tips and tricks to make constructing and working with jump rings easier and faster. Handouts on jump ring making will be provided.
The basics of jumpring making are now covered in the first soldering class.
Cabochon set stone pendant:
This is an introduction to basic silver smithing class. You will learn to make a simple pendant with a bezel set cabochon stone. We use the basics of soldering, and learn some texturing, drilling, filing, sawing, and stone setting techniques to make a pendant from sheet and wire silver or copper. You will learn about the various tools, tips and tricks for constructing and setting a stone. We will be using a smallish stone no bigger than 12 x 15 mm. One of the focuses of this class is using the inexpensive butane torch for easy home set up. Bigger stones will require using the bigger torch. Bring your own or some are available at the store.
Stone setting in a ring:
This is an introduction to basic silver smithing class. You will learn to make a simple ring with a bezel set cabochon stone. We use the basics of soldering, and learn some texturing, drilling, filing, sawing, and stone setting techniques to make a pendant from sheet and wire silver or copper. You will learn about the various tools, tips and tricks for constructing and setting a stone. We will be using a smallish stone no bigger than 12 x 15 mm. One of the focuses of this class is using the inexpensive butane torch for easy home set up. However, if you want to use a bigger stones we can use the bigger torch. Bring your own or some are available at the store.
2 days 2.5 hours each or 6 hours on Saturday
Open back cabochon:
This class will focus on making an open back bezel and setting a cabochon stone. For this project we will make a simple pendant with an open back. We will use a cabochon stone of any size with a flat or rounded back or fused glass cab. We will use an inexpensive butane torch that can be bought at the class or any hardware store. The benefits of this technique are a large stone can be set using minimal silver and the craft type torch is all that is needed. The final piece will be reversible. This is a good way to set small cabs that you want to have open backs or that have rounded backs and large stones that would other wise require a large piece of silver for the back and a bigger torch.
2 Night Class 2.5 hours each or 6 hours on Saturday
Rings:
We will make a plain band without stones. Students will practice soldering on copper then solder a silver band. The project will include learning how to determine the ring size and make the blank. Students will choose among embellishment techniques including stamping, piercing, drilling, appliqué, and texturing. Tools will include the jeweler’s saw, files, hammers, and basic soldering equipment. There will be demonstrations and several variations on the basic project to choose from. Handouts covering band making and basic soldering will be provided
2 days 2 .5 hours each
Open studio:
We will use this time to start new projects, finish a project and get advice using the flex shaft and accessories, or work on something of your design. Primarily for people who have taken my basic classes and want to get more information or try a project of their own. If you have some experience and want to get advice, experience, and inspiration to move ahead , this would be good or you. Complicated projects might not get finished in the 5 or 6 hours allowed but it will be a great start and chance to do some problem solving and get technical advice, work on soldering bigger things or just asking questions. You can use wire and/or sheet to make bracelets, rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, chains or necklaces. I can help you with designing, layout, cutting, bending, drilling, texturing, sawing and filing sheet and wire silver or copper. 2 night class limit on this one 5 people
Finishing:
This class will be an opportunity to finish up any project from a previous class or just learn about finishing techniques but will give students the chance to finish a project started in another class. We will cover patinas, various finishes possible with rotary tools, flex shaft or Dermal, hand finishing for different effects and hammer finishing.
1 day 2.5 hours or 6 hours on Saturday
Bails, Toggles and Clasps:
We will make toggles, clasps and bails in a variety of ways using silver and copper. Some will require simple soldering and some can be made without soldering. We will make several versions of the bails for different uses as well as ‘S’ hook clasps and toggles. I'll demonstrate ways to embellish the basic pendant bail with texturing and hammering, drilling and soldering using wire and sheet. The class will have time to make clasps and bails for use in future beading or jewelry projects. Handouts covering design and technical possibilities will be provided.
1 evening 2.5 hours or 6 hours on a Saturday incorporated with a basic soldering workshop
Elements:
This class is called "throwing bones". In this class the instructor will be showing the use of several jewelry making tools and techniques. You will be making elements or using found objects to be used in other beading and jewelry projects. The class project will involve designing and making elements that can be used with chains or bead strands or made into earrings, bracelets, or pendants. You will be learning techniques such as piercing, sawing, hammer texturing, drilling, filing, stamping and assembling This jewelry design system evolved from my interests in chance design, board games and found objects. The Shamans threw bones or stones on the ground into a specially drawn circle and observed what configuration they formed and used their intuition to make a decision. Many cultures use chance design and intuition to tell the future or make things happen. The Druids used runes. The Chinese use the I Ching, the gypsies use Tarot cards. These ancient systems have some similarities to modern day board games. Rolling dice to determine the next move then rearranging small objects around a board. I have always been interested in the objects used in these various systems. The elements of design, the runes, I Ching sticks, cards, dice and game pieces are fascinating. I think part of the allure of these systems is not just the out come but also the process and the "parts". The idea of found objects also plays into chance design. The outcome will be a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Handouts covering design and technical possibilities will be provided.
3 days 2.5 hours each this class is a little longer than other and cost more.
Hearts:
In this class I will be showing the use of several jewelry making tools and techniques. You will be making hearts that can be used in other jewelry projects or as a finished project. The class will be about designing and making hearts into earrings, bracelets, or pendants. You will be learning techniques such as soldering, piercing, sawing, texturing, forging, drilling, filing, stamping and assembling with silver wire and sheet.
2 days 2.5 hours each
Using Scrap;
This workshop is about what to do with your sheet and wire scrapes and old jump rings, chain, unfinished projects, yard sale finds and other "junk". Turn you trash into treasure. We will use the torch, hammer, saw and drill to manipulate them in several different ways to make parts for pendants, charms, links for bracelets and elements for beading projects. We will use the torch to join parts and completely re-work the metal.
Overlay earrings:
This class will focus on using the jewelers saw to cut curved lines and shapes. I'll show you how to use files and rotary tools to clean up and shape edges. We will make a pair of earrings using cut and soldered parts. We will also investigate ways to make and attach posts and ear wires
2 days 2 .5 hours each
Cuff Bracelet:
We will make a wire and sheet bracelet and use forging, bending, cutting, drilling, texturing sheet and wire shapes and soldering to create the design within a frame.
2 night class
3 week Classes (six nights):
We meet 6 times for 3 weeks on Mondays and Thursdays. This class goes from 6 pm to 8:30. This session covers lots of ground for the basics with lots of tips from my years of being a production jewelry maker. If you think you want to learn about making metal jewelry that involves soldering this is a great way to get stated. If you have some experience and want to go a little more in depth, these 3 week sessions will provide lots of time to ask questions and work on a more complicated project.
Please sign up at least one week before class begins if possible. If the class is full there will be a waiting list for next available class. Refunds if the class doesn't fill.
All classes are limited to 6 or 7 so there will be lot's of personal attention and opportunity for questions and answers
Beginning Jewelry Making 101 (this is the class I teach at the UF Rietz Union)
I will teach some basic soldering and hand tool techniques and give some tips on setting up a home studio using locally available tools, materials, supplies and torches. Safety will be covered also. We will cover some of the basics such as using the saw, files, pliers, hammers, torches and finishing tools. We will be working with sheet and wire. We will complete at least one project pendant with a bezel set stone or ring with stone. No metal smithing experience needed but good hand eye coordination will help you succeed. If you need glasses for close work, bring them! This is a 7 night session.
There are hundreds of possibilities and designs to be explored. Not everything can be learned in one class but this will get you started and if your interest continues you can repeat the classes and I will help you make increasingly difficult projects. If you progress quickly you can do/ start as many projects as you like in the time allowed.
Jewelry Construction 102
This class will focus on more complicated construction and design. Soldering with multiple solders and/or stone setting. We may make a variety of projects including rings, bracelets or pendants with bezel set stones. I will also help you make your design if you have a project in mind. The projects will depend on the level of the students attending. Techniques being explored will include sawing, filing, drilling, stone setting, texturing, forging, box construction and finishing. You will learn more about how to handle tools and solve design and construction problems as well as make at least one piece of jewelry. Lots of tips and tricks will be passed along. Some experience will help. Bring sketch books and design ideas, if you want to use them. Don't forget your glasses. Most important, bring your questions.
This is a 6 night session 6:00 to 8:30
6 classes in 3 weeks
Peter 352 .373. 6813
http://www.giftsofavalon.com/
©2010
