BROOKLYN JEWELRY CLASSES

Advanced Jewelry Casting includes more carving and wax manipulation techniques. This 4 week class may also be taken multiple times, as there are several options in which to focus on. In this class, we introduce; wax pens, more wax tools, mini lathe, mold making and vacuum casting. Organic material may also be cast as well as incorporated in wax models. Students also have the opportunity to be more involved with the casting process.

First you will learn how to create your designs using Rhino3D. A free 90 day trial is available to get started and is available for PC, Mac and iPad platforms. Once you have finished with your design then it’s off to the Form 2 3D printer. The next step is to invest (a special mold for casting) your piece. On week 3 you will cast your piece using precious metal. Centrifugal casting is used as a means of casting, detailed jewelry or small scale sculpture. Once your piece has been cast, the final step will be to finish and polish it.

Learn the technique of lost wax casting. Create silver or gold jewelry by forcing molten metal into a mold made from carved wax. The wax is then eliminated from the mold with heat and injected with molten silver or gold in to produce a solid metal version. A great class for anyone interested in making jewelry. All materials, equipment and tools are provided in the classroom for the 4 week class including up to 1 ounce of silver.

Soldering (Silver or Gold soldering) is a very important technique in jewelry making. Not to be confused with soft or lead soldering. Soldering is used to fabricate pieces (and fabrication simply means creating jewelry from metal using wire, sheet or other elements), putting on jump rings (which is a good way to attach into a chain), attaching earring backs, stone settings, and finding or hardware that you might need on jewelry—a lot of them are going to be attached using this technique of soldering.

Required materials:

-Easy, medium and hard solder

-Flux

Students will learn to enamel and bezel set in this 5 week course. Class will meet either via Zoom or in studio from 7:00-10:00 PM weekly. During the course, techniques include enameling on copper or silver and bezel setting . Enameling is a method of applying powdered glass to metal and then firing it to the melting point creating a solid layer of glass. This process allows one to enhance pieces with a variety of colors and patterns. Bezel setting is a rim of metal used to frame and secure an enameled piece or stone. Upon completion of the course students will gain a full understanding of the described processes and multiple finished pieces.

Bezel setting class for beginners

PLEASE NOTE: This course is designed for students that have taken at least one of the casting classes.

Prior to class, students must cast a piece (either in a prior class, or during studio time) to incorporate the stone and setting

This is an intensive 1 day class where you will learn several stone settings which will really take your work in silver jewelry to the next level.

The main stone settings covered in this class include:

A simple rub over setting, which involves creating a bezel and encasing a cabochon-shaped stone. This is a key technique for setting stones and is very useful to add to your repertoire of skills as it allows you to set a range of natural stones in a range of sizes.

A step bezel is a variation of the bezel (described above)has a delicate ridge running around the interior that supports the edge of the stone. It uses less material, reducing cost and weight.  It can allow light to show through the stone, depending on the design.

A tube setting, a simple yet effective technique for neatly setting usually small stones into silver tube. A great contrast to the rub over setting and adds a new dimension to your jewelry.

During the course, the we will also be talking about the qualities of different popular stones and considerations when setting them. All the materials for practice including stones and metal will be provided. Students are responsible for stones and metal for their project.  However, a small selection will be available for purchase.

This class is very intensive so come prepared. Your work will really move on in leaps and bounds, you’re sure to be pleased with your progress.

What you need to bring to this class:

For this class you don’t need to bring anything but yourself as everything is provided. However, if you want to bring some of your own stones you can and the tutor will advise as to whether these are suitable for use in this class. If not, then we can always give advise on how they can be used in future.

General Info: 

For this class, only round and oval cabochon stones will be used.  However, some round faceted stones may be used in tube settings.

This is an intensive 1 day class where you will learn several stone settings which will really take your work in silver jewelry to the next level.

Students will learn:

• The properties of faceted stones
• Different types and sources for pre-fabricated settings.
• How to cut the bearing using files and burs.
• Seat and set faceted stones.

During the course, the we will also be talking about the qualities of different popular stones and considerations when setting them. All of the tools for will provided in class. Students are responsible for stones and settings for their project.  However, a small selection will be available for purchase.

This class is very intensive so come prepared. Your work will really move on in leaps and bounds, you’re sure to be pleased with your progress.

What you need to bring to this class: 

For this class, only round and oval faceted stones will be used. However, if you want to bring some of your own stones you can and the tutor will advise as to whether these are suitable for use in this class. If not, then we can always give advise on how they can be used in future.

Beginners will be provided with a free ounce of STERLING SILVER
Additional silver will be available for purchase at cost

You can make multiple designs in wax or use organic material for your casting!

DAY ONE: The first hour of class you will learn various wax carving and manipulation techniques. Then Scott, our instructor, works individually with each student to get them started based on their skill level. Beginners will learn how to form the wax for their piece. By the end of day one, the wax piece will be invested (a sacrificial mold will be made of the wax design). If you finish investing your piece before 8pm, you can leave early, of course.

DAY TWO: The mold will be ready for the casting process. The piece will be cast and the rest of this class session will be used for finishing and polishing.

All materials, equipment and tools (including a Flax-shaft) are provided in the classroom, as well as 1oz. of sterling silver for beginner students.

This introductory class to Metalsmithing is designed for both those with little to no previous experience as well as those who want to hone, develop and learn new skills.
Students will have an opportunity to learn and develop a wide range of fundamental jewelry-making skills that are essential for building a solid foundation. A wide variety of tools and techniques include: safe practices for working in a jeweler’s studio, proper use of hand tools, soldering techniques and torches, flex shafts, hammers, polishing equipment, jeweler’s saw, files, pliers, doming blocks and more. You will learn how to cut, solder, saw, drill, rivet, pierce, dome, texture, drill etc. This class is designed for each student to create a minimum of 2-4 pieces in this 8 week session.

Metalsmithing involves numerous techniques. In this introductory course, one will learn the following skills:

-The basic overview of metal properties and manipulation
-Sawing and piercing
-Cold connections such as rivets
-Soldering and fabrication
-Mechanisms such as clasps and hinges
-Rolling Mill
-Hydraulic Press
-Textures
-Chain Making
-Raising, Forming and Spiculum
-Chasing and Repoussé
-Patinas