Jewelry / Metal Arts

Introduction to Jewelry Design

OAK 222
Instructor: Shabnam Bahmanian
Thurs., 6:45–9:45 p.m., June 5–August 14 (no class July 3)
10 sessions. $300; $25 lab fee payable at registration); an additional $30-materials fee payable to instructor is due at first session. Noncredit. Prerequisite: none

Explore basic metalsmithing and jewelry processes; various techniques for cutting metal, methods of joinery, soldering, forming, fabrication, and various means of surface treatment are introduced. Students may work with copper, brass, or sterling silver to create jewelry or other small forms.

(Note: a $140 tool kit deposit is required per enrollee. A check payable to CCA is due at the first session. Checks will be returned on the last day of class upon the return of the tool kit.) Materials fee covers some copper, silver, and additional supplies. A materials list is sent to registrants prior to the first class.

Jewelry & Metalworking 2

OAK 224
Instructor: Luana Coonen
Sat., 9 a.m.–1 p.m., July 12–August 16
6 sessions. $250; $25 lab fee payable at registration; $15 materials fee payable to instructor at first session. Noncredit. Prerequisite: Introduction to Jewelry Design or equivalent

Building on current skills, participants learn new techniques and work with more challenging projects. Students learn a greater range of forming and fabricating techniques, such as hollow forming and more elaborate soldering projects. A focus is placed on the development of jewelry mechanisms and finishing techniques, such as refined clasps and closures. Working from suggested syllabus projects or independent ideas, participants also have the opportunity to create their own designs. Projects can be jewelry or small-scale sculpture.

A materials list will be sent to registrants prior to first class.

Plastics for Jewelry

OAK 226
Instructor: Luana Coonen
Mon. & Wed., 6:45–9:45 p.m., August 4–13
4 sessions. $120; $15 materials fee payable to instructor at first session. Noncredit. Prerequisite: basic metalsmithing skills

Plastic is an excellent option for metalsmiths interested in incorporating nonmetal materials into their jewelry designs. In this two-day workshop students learn how to work with plastics using many familiar tools from their studios. Participants explore working with a variety of plastics, such as polycarbonate and acrylic in the form of sheet, tubing, and rod. Several different techniques are covered, from cutting, sanding, and finishing, to more advanced methods of forming, bending, joining plastic to plastic, and incorporating with metal. The focus is to create samples rather than finished pieces.

Bring to class: basic jewelry hand tools (saw frame with blades, drill bits, tape, pliers, files, scissors, Sharpie pen, dust mask, eye protection, etc.)

Image + Form Enameling Workshop

OAK 227
Instructor: Jessica Calderwood
Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m., May 19–23
5 sessions. $650; $75 lab fee payable at registration. Noncredit. Prerequisite: beginning jewelry making skills, including sawing and filing

Ancient enameling techniques take a contemporary twist with the use of ceramic underglaze pencils, sifted and liquid enamels, overglaze painting enamels, and ceramic decals. This week–long intensive workshop accentuates the relationship of metal forms to the enameled image. Students use die–forming, hand–hammering, and bending to create dimensional forms in copper. Added attention is given to how to integrate drawings and paintings into their forms. Participants should bring reference drawings or photos to work from to create unique enamels appropriate for wall pieces, sculptures, or jewelry. Beginners welcome! A materials list will be provided at registration.

*This course also can be taken for 1 credit (letter grade). Credit tuition: $1,220

Mokume-Gane

OAK 228
Instructor: Robert Coogan
Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m., June 2–6
5 sessions. $650; $150 lab fee payable at registration. Noncredit. Prerequisite: beginning jewelry-making skills, including sawing and filing

Mokume-gane (or mokume) is a Japanese technique of fusing nonferrous metals into thin layers. The process was originally developed by swordsmiths in the 1700s. Workshop participants fuse billets of copper with alternating layers of fine silver, forging them to less than 1/8" thick. Cutting into the created layers exposes the characteristic wood grain pattern for which this technique is named. Students explore the use of this patterned material as they design and creatine a piece of contemporary jewelry.

Lab fee includes the cost of copper and silver for half a billet (10 layers of 16-gauge silver and 11 layers of copper), steel torque plates, nuts, bolts, and a few miscellaneous supplies. A materials list will be provided at registration.

* This course also can be taken for 1 credit (letter grade). Credit tuition: $1,220