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In this 2-session workshop you will learn to repair the hand tools, which have been damaged in the jewelry studio. Hammer faces and dapping punches will be resurfaced and polished. Side cutters will be sharpened and pliers will have rust and nicks removed so they will no longer scar soft metals during use. Tools like dividers and brass slide gauges will be modified for easier use. Soldering tweezers will be straightened, strengthened, and repaired.
If some of the names of these tools baffle you, then this class will help you identify the tools you're using and help you to know how to fix your own tools when needed. The class will learn safety practices for the use of the Grinder and the Buffing Machines. Polishing compounds for mirror finishes on steel hammer faces will be covered.
Details:
Tuition assistance is available. Click here to apply.
Instructor: Nanz Aalund’s wide ranging career as a jewelry designer, goldsmith, and educator, began with high school shop classes. After serving as a fine jewelry designer and marketing consultant for Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Tiffany & Co., Aalund taught jewelry and metals classes at the University of Washington and at the Art Institute in Seattle. Earning a Masters of Fine Art (MFA/Metals) and a Masters of Education/College and Technical Teaching Curriculum (CTTC). Her work has been exhibited both national and international since the 1980s. She authored the book, "Masters Gold,” published by Lark Books in 2009 and her most recent publication, “A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeship” published in 2017 for MJSA, received a Silver Medal in the national AM&P Excel Awards, in 2018.
Nanz Aalund, certifications@bainbridgebarn.org
Contact: Jewelry.Lead@BainbridgeBARN.org
Have you ever built a project and then been disappointed by the design result? By making quick, easy scaled models first, you can play around with different design solutions and settle on one that incorporates your favorite elements — before you embark on building the full-size project in wood, metal or other materials. Scaled models are also useful for artists working on projects such as books with popup or fold-out elements.
Designing anything in three dimensions really benefits from using three-dimensional models. In this two-session class, you will learn how to build scaled physical models that are classic 3-D design aids. You'll be working mostly with paper, card stock and basswood, and you will be encouraged to modify your models as you experiment with design and technique.
This two session class covers:
At the first session, you will learn about the tools and materials and make a simple model of a project suggested by the instructor. At the second session, you will make models and experiment with design options for a project of your own choosing. The overriding principle is to have fun both in making models as well as discovering how to further refine your design.
Instructor: Alec Vassiliadis studied models from a very young age. He built lots of scale models of planes, cars and boats, and painted, altered and sometimes destroyed them. "So, naturally, I gravitated to architectural school, where I excelled at building models," he said. After working as an architect for about a year, he gave up on paper as a medium of design and fell back into building models. It did not take long before he was turning his life passion into a profession. He has been building models for architects and industrial designers for the past 40 years.
Link sterling silver jump-rings into a pair of unique earrings in the striking and popular Byzantine chain pattern. Learn simple wire-wrapping to adorn your earrings with pearls. Freshwater pearls, in a choice of colors, are included in the materials kit. Spend a convivial afternoon with friends new and old, and leave with fabulous new jewelry to enjoy yourself or delight a gift recipient.
Because such a short list of simple hand tools is required to make a very diverse selection of patterns, chain making is an ideal, and relatively portable, activity to continue enjoying long beyond the close of the class. Students are encouraged to bring favorite beads to incorporate into their work. No torch work is required for this class.
Please wear closed-toe shoes. Wear hearing protectors when warranted and safety glasses; bring your own or use BARN's. Tie back long hair. Avoid loose-fitting clothing and jewelry; roll up sleeves.
Instructor: Julia Lowther Growing up in Monteverde, Costa Rica, my hands were always busy with embroidery, crochet, weaving, and other fiber arts. I moved to Seattle in 1996, discovered metal, and quickly gravitated to chains -- an appealing transformation of stiff, unruly wire into flexible structures of satisfying weight. The manual dexterity gained from decades of needlework translated neatly to working at a jewelry scale. I believe the craft arts have immense value. They are the best and finest expressions of the alliance between our big brains and our opposable thumbs. Fine craft is living art, coming down off the walls, taking to the streets, making every day artful and special, and inviting people to join the community and become makers themselves.
Link sterling silver jump-rings into a pair of richly textured earrings in the appealing Square Maille chain pattern. Learn simple wire-wrapping to adorn your earrings with pearls or beads. A choice of various bead or pearl colors are included in the materials kit. Spend a convivial afternoon with friends new and old, and leave with fabulous new jewelry to enjoy for yourself or to delight a gift recipient.
Early Release Monday kid friendly holiday craft.
With step by step instructions, you will learn how to make brass or copper wire stars using a wire jig. You can make 6 individual star ornaments or attach your stars to twine or ribbon to make garland. Keep it simple or choose from hundreds of assorted beads to make your stars unique.
Instructor Bio: Sarah Jones is a local Bainbridge Island artist and jeweler with a background in ceramics, sculpture, stained glass, and photography. Her journey into metal arts and jewelry started in a beginner class gifted to her by her family. Completely hooked, she continued to take every class available to her while also assisting teachers, shadowing and learning from some of the PNW’s best.
When she’s not in her studio making her own art or spending time with her family, she enjoys teaching students from 8 to 80 years old, passing on what she has learned to new metal art/jewelry enthusiasts, introducing them to the trade’s skills and opportunities.
Sarah's current work can be viewed on Instagram @sarahjonesjewelry
Jewelry Studio Orientation & Skills Assessment
This class is designed for participants who want to have access to open studio times and already have previous experience making jewelry. Participants will need to demonstrate basic tool use and studio safety. For BARN Guests and Members, successful completion of the short class will be allowed access to the Jewelry Studio for working on projects of your choosing during monitored Open Studio hours only. This class does not apply to personal use of the kiln or casting equipment. Please note that the general open studios times are free to Members. For guests/non-members there will be a $20 drop-in fee (please bring cash or check made out to BARN) to use Open Studio. To view the Open Studio times click here.
Areas generally covered for the skills class:
Questions? Contact jewelry.Lead@BainbridgeBARN.org
Holiday inspired enamel earrings:
Add dynamic color to your jewelry with enamel! Fired glass can be added to fabricated, cast, or even metal clay jewelry. It's fun, easy, and the results are stunning!
Make for yourself or a gift for someone.
This three hour class will give you a taste of how fun and easy enameling can be! You will experiment with stamping, stencils, and decals. All base materials will be provided including gift boxes.
Instructor: Karin Lee Luvaas is a local Bainbridge Island artist and jeweler. With an art degree in encaustics, painting and metal sculpture, Karin has studied under acclaimed enameling jewelry masters Linda Darty, Keith Lewis, Heejoo Kim, and Aurélie Guillaume and achieved Graduate Jeweler status under Alan Revere of the world renowned Revere Academy of San Francisco, California. Karin is also a GIA certified Graduate Gemologist and holds a Jewelers of America Bench Jeweler Technician certificate.
Karin’s current work can be viewed on Instagram @karinluvaas.
This is a BARN holiday. Doors will be locked to members and non-members.
This two session class will introduce you to the art of stone cutting. Learn how to cut and polish cabochons from rough, using various cutting and polishing equipment in the process. All base materials will be provided. Students will have an opportunity to purchase additional varieties of rough stones and are welcome to bring any stones of their own that they have questions about or want to try cutting.
Instructor: Karin Lee Luvaas is a local Bainbridge Island artist and jeweler. With an art degree in encaustics, painting and metal sculpture, Karin has studied under acclaimed jewelry masters Michael Boyd, Kent Raible, Petra Class, and Sarah Graham and achieved Graduate Jeweler status under Alan Revere of the world renowned Revere Academy of San Francisco, California. Karin is also a GIA certified Graduate Gemologist and holds a Jewelers of America Bench Jeweler Technician certificate.
Middle Schoolers: join us for creative time after school this winter! In this six-week class, students will be introduced to jewelry studio tools and equipment the first three weeks, followed by three weeks of guided project time to practice and build on their newly-learned skills. Students with all levels of experience are welcome!
Tools, equipment and content covered in this class will start with an introduction to basic use of jeweler tools of the trade, sawing, bench shear, step shear, guillotine, circle and shape cutters, dapping tools, stamping tools, rolling mill, flex shaft, introduction to metals, studio guidelines safety and policies.
Come see what you can create in the BARN Jewelry Studio!
In this two session class we will cover metal fabrication techniques for ring making. Using the Rolling Mill to “mill” wire for making rings (aka - shank stock) in copper will be covered. Simple stacking rings will be made to use in simulated “repair” procedures. Cast jeweler’s bronze rings will also be used for sizing and re-pronging practice. Students who may have past projects that they feel could be saved with a bit of repair, are encouraged to bring them to this class. Repair specific sawing, filing, sanding and polishing will be focused on and practiced.
This is a skill building class. You will not have time during class to complete a finished project, but can do so in Open Studio with your newly acquired skills. Competent independent soldering is required to keep up with the pace of instruction.
Starting from one flat sheet of metal, you can create three-dimensional geometric designs and figurative drawings using chasing and repoussé techniques.
In this class, you’ll learn methods for transferring a line drawing onto sheet metal. Then, following the pattern or drawing on your metal, you’ll create dimension by “pushing” the raised portions of your design from the back of the metal using repoussé punches. From the front side, you’ll complete the design by refining the shapes, and adding texture and detail using chasing tools.
Pen, notebook, fine-point Sharpie or other pen that writes on metal 6” metal ruler If you want to work in silver, please bring your own 24 or 22 gauge sterling sheet at least 2” x 4” (if you have a larger piece, don’t cut it)
Instructor: Joan Hammond began working in metal in 1994, when she started taking metalsmithing classes as an antidote to documenting computer software. What she discovered was a medium that not only utilized her previous training in painting, printmaking, and ceramics, but also opened the possibilities of creating art that can be worn. Family artifacts and history, plants and animals, and the textiles and jewelry of non-Western cultures inspire her current work, which Hammond executes using the techniques of chasing and repoussé. Her long-time interest in Asian art, which deepened when she studied calligraphy and tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan, continues to influence her aesthetics and sense of design.
Hammond exhibits locally and nationally, and her work has been published in Metalsmith magazine’s Exhibition in Print. She is a member of the Seattle Metals Guild; has served on the Board of Northwest Designer craftsmen; and co-chaired a national conference for the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
In this class you will learn some basic drawing and painting skills to enhance your jewelry designs. If you already have drawing and painting experience, this class will build on your skill set.
No need for enameling experience, bring your ideas and learn how to turn your artwork into wearable jewelry!
Liquid enamels provide endless possibilities when applied to metal. In this class we will use torch and kiln fired enamels. You will be introduced to graphite pencils, watercolors, acrylic, and oil paints.
Instructor: Karin Lee Luvaas is a local Bainbridge Island artist and jeweler. With a fine arts degree in encaustics, painting and metal sculpture, Karin has studied under acclaimed enameling jewelry masters Linda Darty, Keith Lewis, Heejoo Kim, and Aurélie Guillaume and achieved Graduate Jeweler status under Alan Revere of the world renowned Revere Academy of San Francisco, California. Karin is also a GIA certified Graduate Gemologist and holds a Jewelers of America Bench Jeweler Technician certificate.
By drilling and sawing through (copper or sterling) sheet metal we will create beautiful shapes. When these shapes or patterns are soldered to a backing, the cut out patterns can read as lights and darks when oxidized. We will be drilling, sawing, filing, soldering, pickling, sanding and do some finishing if there is time. People taking this class should have some experience with soldering. We will cover basic sweat soldering, drilling with the flex shaft, sawing techniques, filing, and sanding.
Instructor: Jody Lyle is a goldsmith with over 25 years of experience designing and making jewelry. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas where she studied with world-renowned enamel artist Harlan Butt. She has continued here education over the years with apprenticeships, trade school training, and skill building classes. She believes in learning by doing, and continues to home her skills, practicing and acquiring new techniques from other jewelers and is continually expanding the definition of her jewelry.
There are many simple approaches to designing and working in wax that can be applied to many forms of jewelry, wearable art, and functional objects. Learn how to carve wax for your purposes with precision. Challenge yourself to improve your skills in wax by tackling complex designs and patterns while incorporating stones as either a focus or accent component. We will use primarily carving waxes to create models. Learn tips and tricks used by the pros to create accurate patterns for waxes to be potentially cast in any metal.
We will focus on designs, tools, tips, tricks and setting stones in wax models.
Wax models can be cast with the casting club or sent to a casting service.
Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse’s a jewelry artist, sculptor and educator. She has made her home and studio in Seattle, Washington for the past 20 years. She has been teaching art and jewelry classes, workshops, lectured and exhibited throughout U.S. and Mexico for over 25 years. Jennifer is currently in the process of researching for a book she is writing on the History, Timeline, and Technology of Jewelry Casting, and is the current president of the Seattle Metals Guild.
Recognized as an outstanding educator and known expert in the arena of jewelry casting, Jennifer has more recently teaching at the college and adult continuing education levels. Currently, Jennifer works as a production jeweler for Baleen, teaches jewelry classes and workshops.
Education: MFA – University of Wisconsin – Madison, BFA – University of New Mexico 1989
Graduate Print making Internship – Tamarind Institute / UNM 1989
In this six session (4 hours each session) beginner skills class held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will be introduced to basic studio tools and equipment with instructor demonstration and lots of student hands on experience time. The class is designed for the curious, the hobbyist, or a new jewelry/metal artist. Also suitable as a refresher class for artists looking to get reacquainted and familiar with the studio.
Tools, equipment and content covered in this class will start with an introduction to basic use of jeweler tools such as: sawing, filing, bench shear, step shear, rolling mill, hammers, soldering, torches, pickling, flex shaft, circle and shape cutters, dapping tools, introduction to metals, how to order your own supplies, studio guidelines safety and policies.
By the end of this 3-week class students should feel comfortable working independently and practicing their skills in the jewelry studio during open studio times and ready to take specialized project classes.
For tuition assistance click here to complete the online application form. If you have any questions about the tuition assistance application process, please contact our Program Manager Jess Henderson at jessh@bainbridgebarn.org or call (206) 842-4475 x221.
Ongoing casting for Certificate of Craft Program Students Only.
What To Expect:
Session 1, we will be investing, so come with your pieces sprued, weighed (don't forget to record your wax weight & bring it) and attached to the sprue base, so we can jump right in. Don’t plan on there being time to sprue your work during this time. If you have any concerns or would like some advice on spruing, come to open studio on Monday or Friday. We have set aside a locker where you can leave your sprued flask if you so choose. During investing, we’ll have time to make some last minute adjustments and weigh our metals. When everyone's done investing we’ll clean up and figure out the pouring order for the next morning. You're welcome to stay to help load the kiln for its’ overnight burn.
Session 2, come with appropriate casting wear (& hair up). After a review of the days plan we will get everything ready for the pour. Teams of 2 people will take turns casting until we finish. When all of the flasks are poured everyone can help clean up and show off their work!!
In this two session class, we will cover simple gemstone identification. Using basic information about gemstones like hardness, optical properties, fractures, and luster, this class will help students begin to identify some popular gemstones, while learning the tell tale traits of classic gem imitations. Gemstone families, cutting styles, facet names, and how to use a jeweler’s loupe will be covered. The origins of birthstones, famous gemstone myths and ancient gem lore will be discussed.
In this class you will learn several techniques on how to set a stone on another stone. You will learn how to drill a hole in stone, how to make bezel and set a stone, and how to set a faceted stone in a tube. (tube setting) We will also learn how to make some essential tools to finish this project and use at your bench in your everyday creations.
This is an action packed class! Bring your notebook and be ready to get hands on.
This workshop has prerequisites. Please see below.
Students will increase their design vocabulary through a series of exercises using paper, metal and found objects. There will be one-on-one guidance from the instructor. Each student will bring samples of their work to share with the class and one piece that they are willing to exchange with another student. Challenge yourself out of your comfort zone. You’ll learn how to confidently resolve your "I’ve been thinking about this but I’m not sure where to take it" moments, and leave with an increased ability to design the jewelry you want to make.
Instructor: Micki Lippe, currently living in Seattle, received a BFA from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1965. For the past 40 years her jewelry has been exhibited throughout the United States. Micki's work was a part of the 2010 Tacoma Art Museum Biennial and the 2017 metals exhibition at Bellevue Arts Museum. Her jewelry has been shown in many books - including Adorn and the 500 Earrings book. In 2010 she was awarded the Alumni of Distinction from Washington University, her alma mater. In 2015 Micki was the recipient of the Seattle Metals Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. Micki has taught jewelry classes in Seattle and other cities for many years.
She served as founder and president of the Seattle Metals Guild, on the board of Pratt Fine Arts Center and as president of the Society of North American Goldsmiths. With the Guild she currently runs The Women's Shelter Jewelry Program and is chair of the Symposium Committee.
This class is for beginners or intermediate students and is designed to teach you how to work with the Hardinge lathe. It is geared toward beginners who have an interest in making tools and accessories for jewelry making. You will be also producing a small cylindrical lidded container.
Please wear closed-toe shoes in our studio. Tie back long hair, avoid loose-fitting clothing and jewelry and roll up sleeves. Wear hearing protectors when warranted and safety glasses; bring your own or use BARN's.
Chris Stanley is a professional model maker and educator. He has done work for IBM, NASA, the Smithsonian, and many other companies. He has taught many an industrial design student how to bring their creations to life in the machine shop. For questions please contact the instructor at cstanley3@mac.com
Learning how to form metal using the hydraulic press opens new possibilities for your work! In this class, you’ll learn how to create multiples of the same shape, which you can turn into beads, pendants, and components for earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. If you’re using textured metal, you won’t lose any detail as you form the components.
Students will learn how to:
Students will be able to produce a bead, a pair of earring dangles, or a pendant. They will also have time to create samples of each forming technique.
Pen, notebook, fine-point Sharpie or other pen that writes on metal, 6” metal ruler
Optional: texturing punches, textures to run through the rolling mill
If you want to work in silver, please bring your own 24 or 22 gauge sterling sheet at least 2” x 4” (if you have a larger piece, don’t cut it)
This workshop has prerequisites. Please see below. This workshop is designed to help you overcome problems you have been having while soldering and learn to use the Smith Little Torch. We will focus on the individual needs of each participant.
In this class you will learn to solder hollow forms, wire structures, and findings. In addition you may bring in pieces that have been making your life difficult and move into new soldering territory.
There will be demonstrations and exercises. Students will solder a series of samples. Finished work will be optional.
Valentines Day inspired enamel pendants:
This three hour class will give you a taste of how fun and easy enameling can be! You will experiment with stamping, stencils, and embellishments. All base materials will be provided including gift boxes.
Ever want to get a second chance with a piece, or want two or more of the same item? We will be making silicon molds that can be injected with wax to make duplicates. The waxes can then be cast in one of our casting classes or our casing club if you are approved to attend. Please bring several small pieces of your own original work, carved waxes, non copy written object, or piece of nature you might want to mold. (no rubber or hollow objects) Bring options to choose from. We will Sprue the object, mix and pour the RTV material on day one. On day two, we will cut the molds and inject them with wax.
Kumihimo braiding is a relaxing way of making beautiful and innovative jewelry. This class will introduce you to the basic tools and supplies specific to this technique and get you started on your first gorgeous braided cord bracelet. Ending techniques and addition of beads will also be covered. A perfect lightweight and compact project for travelers!
Instructor: Chris Eisenberg discovered beading while recovering from an accident and the resulting traumatic brain injury. Beading was her therapy and credits it for helping her become whole again. Chris has a doctorate in classical piano performance from the University of Northern Colorado and am a performance coach and collaborator at Central Washington University. She has previously taught workshops at the Autumn Artist Retreat and in the Iron Mountain Arts studio near Port Gamble.
