Events and Classes - Future Events View

Intro To Soldering will take a student from having no knowledge about soldering or even how to light a torch to learning multiple torch soldering techniques and creating a layered metal pendant, hollow-formed earrings, and a copper bead. Students will learn about basic torch types, setting up a soldering space, torch flame types and uses, and torch safety including lighting and extinguishing and the use of the shop metal working area. Students will learn how to anneal metal, how to pattern metal with a rolling mill, soldering techniques (sweat soldering, butt joints, post on sheet and jump rings) and the use of chip, wire, and paste solder. No experience necessary.

Intro To Soldering will take a student from having no knowledge about soldering or even how to light a torch to learning multiple torch soldering techniques and creating a layered metal pendant, hollow-formed earrings, and a copper bead. Students will learn about basic torch types, setting up a soldering space, torch flame types and uses, and torch safety including lighting and extinguishing and the use of the shop metal working area. Students will learn how to anneal metal, how to pattern metal with a rolling mill, soldering techniques (sweat soldering, butt joints, post on sheet and jump rings) and the use of chip, wire, and paste solder. No experience necessary.

This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and polishing gemstone cabochons. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to form cabochons of several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jas­pers and more. We will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and equipment used in the lapidary arts. You are encouraged to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.

This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and polishing gemstone cabochons. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to form cabochons of several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jas­pers and more. We will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and equipment used in the lapidary arts. You are encouraged to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.

Precious Metal Clay (PMC) Is an actual Clay comprised of fine metal particles, water and a binder. It can be molded, textured, cut, shaped and fired at high temperature for sufficient tie for the metal to sinter, leaving a shaped item of 99% metal. PMC allows you to design and fabricated a small piece of jewelry without soldering or sawing. This class will teach the basics of working with PMC+, a proprietary formulation of silver clay. No experience is required.

Precious Metal Clay (PMC) Is an actual Clay comprised of fine metal particles, water and a binder. It can be molded, textured, cut, shaped and fired at high temperature for sufficient tie for the metal to sinter, leaving a shaped item of 99% metal. PMC allows you to design and fabricated a small piece of jewelry without soldering or sawing. This class will teach the basics of working with PMC+, a proprietary formulation of silver clay. No experience is required.

In this class, students will work with sterling silver and fine silver to create a pendant for a round or oval cabochon to be used for a necklace. Students must provide their own cabochons. Cabochons should be approximately 17mm to about 35mm. Larger and smaller cabochons will give you more problems. Recommend that you have at least 2 cabochons. If you do not have any cabs you may purchase them from other members of the guild or from Rio Grande or other source on the internet. Please purchase your cabs early enough. Students are expected to have their own hard and soft solder. It is best to have your own tweezers, pick and flux, but the shop does have thes

Prerequisite: Must have completed Lapidary 1.0. Double sided cabs add interest to your polished stones. In this class, students will learn how to make a double sided cabochon. This is an excellent way to polish a transparent stone with inclusions or stones that have an interesting pattern on both sides. Students will learn how to make a symmetrical double sided cab. These completed double sided cabs are excellent for wire wrapping. Bring an xtra fine Sharpie.

Note: the class is only teaching the creation of the cab, not the wirework or setting depicted in the photos.

This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and polishing gemstone cabochons. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to form cabochons of several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jas­pers and more. We will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and equipment used in the lapidary arts. You are encouraged to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.

This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and polishing gemstone cabochons. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to form cabochons of several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jas­pers and more. We will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and equipment used in the lapidary arts. You are encouraged to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.

This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and polishing gemstone cabochons. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to form cabochons of several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jas­pers and more. We will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and equipment used in the lapidary arts. You are encouraged to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.

This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and polishing gemstone cabochons. No experience is necessary. You will learn how to form cabochons of several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jas­pers and more. We will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and equipment used in the lapidary arts. You are encouraged to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.

If you have taken the Basic Lapidary class and would like to continue learning how to cut and polish gemstone cabochons, this is the class that will help you improve your skills and move to the next level. This is not a beginner class but the instructor will review the basics with you as you push your skills and build your cutting confidence. The focus will be on improving your design skills as you learn to cut new shapes from agates, jaspers and other materials. You are welcome to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An optivisor is recommended.

If you are interested in turning your cabochons and beads into jewelry but are intimidated by the idea of using a torch in the silversmithing classes, this is the class for you.
In the first part of this class, the instructor will show the students how to make herringbone earrings. The student will learn how to make their own head pins, ear wires, and a herringbone link. The student will also learn how to incorporate the herringbone link into earrings, ring, bracelet, or necklace. No experience required.
After a quick lunch break, the student will learn how to set a cabochon into a beautiful and elegant metal wire framework made out of copper, brass, or silver. In addition, students will learn some tips on twisting the wire and incorporating it into the design seamlessly. No experience required.
Students are welcome to bring their own cabochons (defined as a stone that has a flat back and a domed front) and its size should be between 1” to 1.5” in diameter and the shape that is uniform such as oval, round, tear drop.

If you have taken the Basic Lapidary class and would like to continue learning how to cut and polish gemstone cabochons, this is the class that will help you improve your skills and move to the next level. This is not a beginner class but the instructor will review the basics with you as you push your skills and build your cutting confidence. The focus will be on improving your design skills as you learn to cut new shapes from agates, jaspers and other materials. You are welcome to bring your own stones to class for discussion. An optivisor is recommended.