MASTER CLASS

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Ceramics  and metal clay make a great mixed media pairing and can be fired  together. The possibility of including ceramic cabochons or decorating  ceramic thrift store finds with metal clay as well as firing methods  will be discussed.
Come decorate a 3-inch ceramic gazing ball with silver metal clay.  Embellish a colored ball of your choice using seasonal elements molded  from metal clay. Make a meaningful holiday keepsake that can grace your  holiday tree or be hung from an ornament holder year round. On the first  day of this two-session class, you will learn how to mold metal clay  and appliqué it to the ceramic ball. Molding material will be available  for you to mold your own sentimental elements from charms or other small  decorative items you bring from home. In the second session, you will  hand finish your kiln fired ball. Your materials kit includes everything  you need: 30 grams fine silver, 3-inch glazed ceramic ball ornament  with hangar, silicone mold material).

Dates/Times: NEW DATES: Dec. 21, 10am to 3pm and Dec. 22, 1pm to 3pm

Cost: $150 paid to instructor (cash, check or  Venmo), plus a deposit of $47 club fee required to reserve a spot. You must  be a club member to take the class.

This is an two-day introductory class, the first of a three-part series on cutting faceted gemstones. The following topics will be covered: 

• Choosing cutting material
• Stone dopping
• Facet cutting
• Transferring a stone
• Facet polishing
• Proper operation and care of a faceting machine. 

Each student will complete a minimum of one stone. Cost: $230 Cutting material, shop and instructor fees are included. Deposit required to save a seat. Students must bring own Opti-Visor. Closed-toe shoes required. No loose clothing; long hair must be tied back. Contact Jim Kammel for more information.

This is an two-day class on cutting cabochons. You will learn how to cut various shapes and materials and the theories of how to work them. 

The following topics will be covered: 

• Shop safety
• Operation of a cabbing machine and trim saw
• Shaping and polishing techniques
• Theories of cutting slabs of rocks. 

Cost: $230. Cutting materials, shop and instructor fees are included. Deposit required to save a seat. Students must bring own Opti-Visor, waterproof apron, a towel. Closed-toe shoes required. No loose clothing; long hair must be tied back. Contact Peter Favaro for more information. 

In the second class in the Fundamentals of Silversmithing Course, the student will learn the basics of silversmithing and create a textured, sterling silver ring band. This is a four-hour class. The following topics will be covered:

• Metal shop etiquette, safety
• Introduction to jewelry tools
• How to saw, texture and solder metal
• Polishing techniques

Cost: $78* Materials and the use of tools are included in the cost, (*Materials cost is subject to change based on market prices.) Deposit required to save a seat. Students must bring own Opti-Visor. Closed-toe shoes required. No loose clothing; long hair must be tied back. Contact Lisa Miller for more information. 

In the second class in the Fundamentals of Silversmithing Course, the student will make a split-

shank, ring with a stone in it. This class consists of two four-hour classes. The following topics will be covered:

• Terminology
• How to select cabochons for bezel setting
• Basic elements of design
• Measuring, cutting and soldering a bezel
• Creating a split-shank.
• Adding decorative elements
• Setting your stone
• Polishing the ring

Cost: $138* Materials and the use of tools are included in the cost, (*Materials cost is subject to change based on market prices.) Deposit required to save a seat. Students must bring own Opti-Visor. Closed-toe shoes required. No loose clothing; long hair must be tied back. Contact Lisa Miller for more information. 

In the third and final class in the Fundamentals of Silversmithing Course, the student will create a

sterling silver pendant featuring a round or oval cabochon. This class consists of two four-hour

classes. The following topics will be covered:

• Basic elements of planning and design
• Decorative elements and options for bails. 
• Create balance so the piece hangs straight.
• Soldering techniques
• Texturing back plates.
• Practice and improvement on skills learned through the first two projects.

Cost: $144* Materials and the use of tools are included in the cost, (*Materials cost is subject to change based on market prices.) Deposit required to save a seat. Students must bring own Opti-Visor. Closed-toe shoes required. No loose clothing; long hair must be tied back. Contact Lisa Miller for more information. 

Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese technique where you braid many small cords or fibers together to make a thicker, stronger cord. Recently this technique has become very popular by adding beads to the cords. It makes beautiful cords for necklaces and bracelets. You can weave in or add a focal on a slide.  Beginners will learn the basics and then work into creating patterns with different bead colors and shapes. Class fees are per 3-hour sessions and students will need a Kumihimo disk and eight bobbins which can be purchased from the instructor. Students will be given a list of places where they can purchase their own beads if needed.  

Table Crafts are $10/ 3 hrs plus materials and Instructor fees

 Learn how to wrap stones or cabochons with craft wire, and turn them into jewelry you can wear. Learn how to make a shaped frame, add a bail, and close all the excess wire. Your three-hour class will include at least two completed projects. Cost varies by project. Contact the instructor for class availability. 

 Intarsia is the process of starting from the inside and working to the outside. This can be done in any number of materials. In this class, we use stone, glass and man-made composite. The finished product looks like little pictures with frames around them. Because we have one intarsia machine, there can be only  student at a time. All classes are by appointment only. You need to be competent in cabbing skills, plus understand the care and safety of machine use. This class can only meet on days when the lapidary shop is open. Materials cost varies.

Prerequisite: You must have taken the Beginning Cabochon class.

Viking knit is a method of weaving with fine wire to approximate the look of a knitted chain. This class is by appointment only. It takes approximately two 2-hour sessions. The technique can be learned in about 2 hours; you would take it home and complete the weaving to use up the remainder of your wire or to about three-quarters of the finished length you desire. The second session would consist of pulling the woven rope through a draw plate to reduce it to a diameter that you would like.

We offer workshops on various advanced lapidary subjects to include: 

• Hearts
• Doublets
• Basic Stabilizing
• Calibrated Shapes 
• Jade

We offer these one-on-one and in small workshops

 This is an introductory class on opal cutting. The following general topics will be covered in the class:  recognizing the different types of opal fire, selecting opal rough, determining the shape of an opal, selecting the top of the opal, exposing the fire in a “patch and color” opal, cutting without over cutting, polishing the opal. Students will also be taught the proper operation and care of a cabbing machine. Each student will complete a minimum of 4 stones - Boulder Opal, Mexican Fire Opal and 2 Australian Opals 

Prerequisite: Must have completed Beginning Cabochon, plus have at least six months of active cabbing experience.