Instructor Joni Joachims

Introduction to Jewelry Casting - Learn to design and make jewelry using the lost wax casting method. You will design and learn to carve a model in wax, and then replicate your model in silver or bronze using centrifugal or vacuum casting. Students will be guided step by step in the process in order to make unique pieces of jewelry. The instructor will also cover making molds of your pieces and production options for making multiples.

Prerequisite: beginning jewelry or equivalent. Students should know how to saw, solder, file and polish metal.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Beginning Jewelry/ Metalsmithing -Cuff bracelet, Ring and Bezel Setting - In this class you'll learn the basics techniques to create jewelry of your own design. Possible projects include a cuff bracelet, textured earrings and a ring or pendant with a bezel set cabochon stone. Techniques covered will include use of the rolling mill, hammers, jewelers saw and silver soldering. Includes most materials, students may buy silver and stones from instructor for ring project, or bring their own.

Instructor Matthew Cote

Marriage of Metals -  Created by cutting out a shape in one color sheet metal, then replacing that same shape with a different colored metal, marriage of metals is a soldering technique similar to the way a puzzle fits together. Learn to create amazing effects in sheet metal such using marriage of metals and other mixed metals techniques.  Use color and pattern to create imagery using the different colors of different metals: copper, brass, nickel, silver, shibuichi and shakudo.  Students will be taught to join these metals with different methods of soldering including puzzle inlay, twisted wire overlay, false inlay and silver solder inlay.  Class topics will be presented through lecture and demonstration followed by hands on work time with one on one coaching.  No experience necessary, but some soldering experience is helpful.  Most materials included.  Silver, shibuichi and shakudo will be available for sale or students can bring 18 - 20 gauge to work with.

  A patina can be added for a more dramatic effect.  The class will cover cutting metal with the disc cutters, and tin snips, filing and soldering. More experienced students may bring ideas that involve sawing for more intricate designs. Copper and brass provided for in class use, students wishing to work with silver should bring 20 gauge sheet or various gauges of sheet and wire.  No experience necessary. Limited to six students.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Finish Your Projects! -  Whether you started your project in a class at Tacoma Metal Arts or another metalsmithing studio, or even on your own, this class is for anyone who needs a little guidance to finish their projects. Anything from design advice, to soldering advice, how to make rivets or earwires, maybe add a stone, the possibilities are nearly endless! Need to know how to make a hinge? Amy will give you a one on one demonstration geared specifically for your project. Students in the class may choose to watch demonstrations or use the time to work.

Please note: no lost wax casting or etching in this class. Wax work or prep work is permitted and advice is available. Please contact Amy if you have any specific projects you'd like to discuss: amy@tacomametalarts.com

Instructor Matthew Coté

Jewelry/ Metalsmithing - Learn the basic techniques to create hollow forms: jewelry or sculptural objects, you will save on both materials cost and the weight of the piece. In this class Matt will show you several approaches to creating three dimensional forms out of sheet to create a hollow form object. Students can choose to make rings, pendants, earrings, broaches or anything else. Techniques covered will include sawing, measuring, finding ring size, design and creation of hollow forms, and in depth instruction on soldering. Students will build on skills from week to week to complete a unique piece of jewelry or metal art. No experience is necessary for this class, but it is helpful. All levels. Students wising to work in sterling should bring 20 gauge sheet.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Bezel Setting Workshop  -  Learn how to create settings for flat backed objects and cabochon cut stones. Bezel setting will also work to set beach glass, coins, buttons, almost anything!  In this class we will cover selecting appropriate bezel wire, silver soldering, fitting irregular and freeform objects, making a ring band or pendant bail, polishing and stone setting. Students will be able to finish a ring or pendant. No experience necessary! Bring a stone to set or use one from our assortment. Students should bring $5-$15 to cover the cost of silver and stones.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Fold Forming -  Learn a fabulously fast and easy technique to create stunning organic forms in metal.  Start with a piece of copper sheet and by heating, folding, and strategic hammering watch as it transforms into a wonderfully complex sculpture! We will work small for jewelry or slightly larger for small sculpture.  Copper in provided for use in class, students wishing to work in silver should bring silver sheet in 24 gauge or thinner. No experience necessary. Learn how to create leaf folds, boat folds, star folds, line fold and more.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Cloisonné Enameling - Cloisonné enameling is the beautiful effect created when enamels are applied into metal cells created by fine silver wires. Learn the process from start to finish in the fast paced workshop. Bring a design or use one of ours.  Learn to shape the wire into "cells", wash and wet pack enamels to fill the "cells" with color, and fire in a kiln. The instructor will also talk about storing enamels, and finishing to a matte or glossy surface. Materials included in class fee: Copper sheet, fine silver cloisonné wire, and enamels. Students who wish to use transparent enamels can bring 20 g fine silver sheet, or purchase from the instructor. Maximum six students.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Keum-bo Earrings- Keum-bo(also kum-bo, kumbo) is an ancient technique of fusing 24K gold to the surface of silver. In this class you will learn from start to finish how to texture, cut and form sheet to make a striking pair of earrings. Then, you'll learn how to raise the fine silver, creating a layer of pure silver that the gold will easily fuse to. We will then apply accents of 24K gold and learn to apply a patina that darkens the silver but not the gold. Once learned, keum-bo is very easy to do at in your own studio- all you need is a hot plate and a burnisher! Students should bring $10 - $20 for the gold foil, or purchase some from Allcraft or Rio Grande. Silver to work with will also be available for purchase. No experience necessary, advanced students are welcome to bring in fabricated projects to embellish with the gold foil. 

Instructor Ruth Greening

Students will learn how to form, texture & shape a ring to the proper size to fit their hand. They also will learn how to set a beautiful fire in place stone to add that extra bling!

In this hands-on class, learn the basics of precious metal clay: designing, shaping, fire in place stone setting, texturing, and finishing. All pieces will be fired in Ruth's kiln during class.Then, polish your pieces to a high shine with the tumbler. This class is geared toward beginners, but continuing students are welcome.

Materials: Students will purchase 1 16g PMC3 @ $45. Instructor will provide 1 Cubic Zirconia stone, firing material for 1 ring and use of tools and equipment to make the ring.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Resin Jewelry Workshop-  Learn to create colorful pieces in silver and resin. We will use two different types of resin, some pieces will be ready at the end of the night and others will require pick up at a later time. Bring images and objects to embed in the resin. Pre made frames for your resin may be brought to class or purchased from the instructor.

Different types of resins and concrete will be used in class. Some quick setting types may be takes home that day, others will need to cure and can be picked up from the studio at a later date.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Beginning Jewelry Workshop -  Learn the secrets of working with copper, brass and silver on a jewelry scale. Techniques covered will include piercing, filing, stamping, hammering, texturing, flex shaft polishing and soldering.  Students will be guided step by step in the use of studio equipment with access to a rolling mill and hydraulic press. No prior jewelry experience is necessary, but students of all levels are welcome.  Copper and brass provided for in class use, silver available for purchase.

Soldering Tips and Tricks -  Whether you are brand new to silver soldering or just want to brush up on your skills, this class will demystify the art of soldering.  With detailed demonstrations and plenty of one on one coaching you’ll leave this workshop with the confidence to continue on your own. Amy will also give advice to help you decide which torches are appropriate for your home studio set-up.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Ring Making Workshop -  Learn to shape, solder, texture and patina silver to create beautiful rings of your own design. No prior jewelry experience is necessary.   Copper and brass are provided for in class use, silver will be available for purchase from the instructor. Students should bring about $5 - $15 to spend on silver projects, or bring silver of various gauges, sheet and wire.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Stone Setting Workshop-  Learn to set round faceted stones in tube and flush mounts. Learn the tricks that professional jewelers use to set stones quickly. We will practice with 3 mm faceted round stones. Price includes silver tube, copper sheet, stone setting bur and cubic zirconium stones. Additional silver available for purchase. Prerequisite: Beginning Jewelry or previous metalworking experience. Take it with the Ring Making Workshop and set a stone in the ring you make!

Instructor Amy Reeves

Hinged Boxes and Lockets Workshop - Learn to add interest and movement to your metal jewelry creations with hinges! Learn the techniques to create a box or a locket in this one day class. First you'll create a hollow form using press forming or hollow construction. Then the instructor will show simple techniques to add a hinge and a catch. Copper and brass provided for class use, students may bring 22 gauge sheet silver or thicker if they wish.

Prerequisite: students should be able to saw, file, solder and polish metal.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Bangles and Cuffs Workshop - Learn to create one of a kind bracelets of your own design. This class will cover textures, sawing, filing, soldering and rivets. Learn to measure for a cuff or a bangle. Leave with gorgeous finished pieces you'll love to show off! Make anything from a wide statement cuff to thin stacking bangles. Copper and brass provided for in class use, students who wish to work with silver should bring 22 gauge sheet (or thicker) or 16 g wire.

No experience necessary.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Squish Cuffs Workshop - Learn to make these fabulously free form and synclastic bangles and cuffs in this one day infroduction to using the hydraulic press.

The hydraulic press is often referred to as the biggest hammer in the shop. Learn some of the amazing forming possibilities associated with the hydraulic press. You'll use the free-form bracelet former and simple embossing tools to make the free-form cuff or synclastic cuff or bangle. Leave with amazing pieces you never thought possible!

Prerequisite: a beginning jewelry class or metalworking experience. Limited to six students.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Learn to make jewelry from gold scrap or fine gold casting grain. This class will cover alloying, melting, casting an ingot and using the rolling mill to produce gold stock from gold scrap or casting grain. Then, you'll take your gold and create a simples ringor earrings! These processes are also suitable for students who wish to work in silver. Students should bring gold or silver scrap or old jewelry, or gold casting grain (this can also be ordered through the instructor prior to class). No experience necessary, but it is helpful.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Rivet it! Workshop - Learn the basics of riveting in this quick class. We'll cover standard and flush, as well as tube rivets. Ambitious students can tackle the shadow box project using raised rivets, Amy will share some time saving tips! If soldering isn't your thing, or even if it, rivets are a great solution! Whether you want to incorporate found objects, or just add another technique to your metalsmithing tool box, you'll love rivets!

No experience necessary, but a little prior metalsmithing is helpful.

Instructor Amy Reeves

Hollow Beads Workshop-  Learn to make hollow forms from sheet metal in copper, brass or silver. You'll be guided step by step through cutting discs, doming the circles, fitting solder seams and polishing. Simple texturing techniques will be covered as well. Students should have time to complete at least two beads or four buttons. Copper and brass provided, silver is available for sale, or bring 22 gauge. No experience necessary.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Beginning Jewelry/ Metalsmithing Intensive - In this class you'll learn the basic techniques to create jewelry of your own design. Techniques covered will include use of the rolling mill, hammers, saw and silver soldering. You'll learn how to make rings, bezel setting, prong setting, layout design and more. The instructor will also cover how to set up a home studio so you can continue on your own after the class. No experience necessary. Copper and brass provided for in class use, silver and stones available for sale, or bring your own to work with.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Ring Making Workshop -  Learn to shape, solder, texture and patina silver to create beautiful rings of your own design. No prior jewelry experience is necessary.   Copper and brass are provided for in class use, silver will be available for purchase from the instructor. Students should bring about $5 - $15 to spend on silver projects, or bring silver of various gauges, sheet and wire.

Instructor Amy Reeves 

Bezel Setting Workshop  -  Learn how to create settings for flat backed objects and cabochon cut stones. Bezel setting will also work to set beach glass, coins, buttons, almost anything!  In this class we will cover selecting appropriate bezel wire, silver soldering, fitting irregular and freeform objects, making a ring band or pendant bail, polishing and stone setting. Students will be able to finish a ring or pendant. No experience necessary! Bring a stone to set or use one from our assortment. Students should bring $5-$10 to cover the cost of silver and stones.

Instructor Amy Reeves

No experience necessary.