All classes are scheduled for one night per week for three hours per night from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, or one morning per week for three hours per morning from 9:30 am to 12:30 PM. If it is a one weekend class, they are usually held from 9:00 am to 5:00 PM on Saturday and from 9:00 am to 4:00 PM on Sunday. All classes cost $150.00, and this includes all silver, supplies, tools and equipment. Students will not to bring anything to the class. Exceptions are the Opal and Gold class, which is $200.00. There may be a material charge in the mold making classes and the pewter casting classes, if projects are chosen that are larger than the planned projects.

A beginning class that teaches all the basic techniques of silversmithing, beginning with a comprehensive look at metals and their melting points. All necessary tools, supplies, silver and a stone are supplied to design and finish a ring. After some design principles are discussed each student learns how to make a bezel, use twisted wire rope, and design a ring. An emphasis is placed on using the torch for soldering.

In the Advanced Silversmithing class, students will design and make two major projects: 1. a three band cuff bracelet and 2. a solid band ring. If time permits some students will be able to finish a third project with a faceted stone.

Students learn the lost wax process of casting silver. Some wax carving is taught, but limited. Students can cast as many projects as they would like. Four ounces of silver are provided during the class, but students can bring in more silver if they choose to do so. Students will learn how to inject wax into molds. spurring, investing, centrifugal casting, vacuum casting, cleaning castings and polishing castings are all covered in this class. A vulcanized mold is demonstrated, but not taught. Students may make as many wax patterns as they wish by using the many molds that are available.

All students must take the Silvercasting class before they take this class. Students will learn: how to make a kiln, caster, wax tools that can be used to cast silver and gold at home, without spending $3,000.00 for equipment. Students will cast and finish several silver projects during the class.

Students will be taught many techniques of working with wax, with an emphasis placed on carving with hand tools and a Dremel tool. Projects will be cast at the end of the class and polished.

Three types of molds will be taught and students will make one of each for their personal use. Vulcanized, RTV rubber, and "See Through Clear" mold will be taught. RTV rubber molds for casting pewter will also be demonstrated. Special emphasis will be placed on cutting the molds, including venting and special techniques that I have developed over the years.

Each student will be allowed to mold one sculpture and cast several of them. Some sculpting techniques will be taught. Casting, cleaning and polishing pewter will also be taught.

All aspects of lapidary ( the cutting and polishing of semi precious stones) will be taught. Many different types of semi precious stones will be furnished. Dopping, grinding, polishing and fine polishing will be taught using the "All U Need" diamond system. Turquoise and malachite will be two of the stones that every student will cut and polish. Free form shapes will also be covered.

Your imagination is your only limitation in this class. Any shape and design can be made with this technique. Design techniques, cutting, bending and soldering of intricate designs will be taught. The projects will then be filled with chips of turquoise, malachite, coral, jet and mother of pearl will be inlaid into the projects. Finishing and polishing techniques will also be taught.

How to shape, grind, sand and polish Australian Opal with minimal equipment will be taught. Each student will pick a piece of rough opal and then shape it using an inexpensive grinder that can be purchased at hardware stores for under $50.00. Then, they will hand sand and polish the opal. Each student will then design, solder and polish a 14k gold, 18 gauge round wire pendant to hold the opal.

The basics of wire wrapping semi precious stones and crystals will be covered in this class. Both 14k gold-filled wire and sterling silver will be used. Stones and crystals will be provided and students can bring in their own. Several projects will be made during this class.

A one night, three hour class, during which I will discuss the basics of designing jewelry that will appeal to many possible customers. I will also cover a little history of jewelry and why humans have made, collected and wore jewelry from far back as the cave man days. These very important concepts will then be studies as how it all relates to increasing your jewelry sales. Cost of this class is only $20.00.

We will make steel stamps for stamping silver and gold and we will use them on a silver project.