Cabochons (Basic)--Bernie Emery
Learn to transform a piece of rock into a shiny, well-formed cabochon. You will learn the use of the trim saw as well as basics of grinding, sanding and polishing. Slabs are provided or students may use their own with approval of the instructor. Please bring an apron and safety glasses.
2-day class offered 1st semester. No prior experience necessary.
2-day class offered 1st semester. No prior experience necessary.
Cabochons (Intermediate)--Bernie Emery
Learn to cut different shapes and the techniques needed to do so. Please bring an apron and safety glasses. Slabs are provided or students may use their own with approval of the instructor. Please bring an apron and safety glasses. Prerequisite: Students must have prior experience with cabbing and use of the trim saw.
2-day class offered 2nd semester.
2-day class offered 2nd semester.
Copper Etching--Pat Baker
Students will learn to texture copper by etching, using several methods as a resist. This process can result in a very precise design on the metal. We will use riveting and soldering to make 2 or more finished pieces, which can include a ring, pendant, bracelet or necklace. No experience required although those with soldering experience can make more advanced projects. 2-day class offered 1st semester.
Enameling (Basic)--Mia Schulman
Learn how to apply powdered glass to copper and fine silver to create lovely earrings, pendants and pins. Find out about the many types of enamel and how to use them. Several techniques will be taught including: sifting, using stencils, wet packing, Sgraffito and Cloisonne.
4-day class. No prior experience necessary.
4-day class. No prior experience necessary.
Faceting--Steve Weinberger
Students will learn to cut and polish a 57-facet round brilliant gemstone. In addition, they will learn how to identify well-cut stones, select rough material and see whether or not they enjoy this fascinating aspect of the hobby. Students are asked to bring an Optivisor (#7 or #9 and an apron)
4-day class. No prior experience necessary.
4-day class. No prior experience necessary.
Glass Engraving & Etching--B. Jay Bowman
Students will learn the difference between engraving and etching. They will learn how to engrave using both hand and power tools. They will learn to etch using acid and sand techniques with both commercial and self-made patterns. 2-day class offered both semesters. No prior experience necessary.
Lampwork Beads--Pat Baker
Lampwork Beads: An introduction to glass bead making, this class will focus on basic bead-making techniques including shapes, surface decoration (dots, latticino, frit, metal leaf), pulling stringers and making latticino. 2-day class offered 2nd Semester. No prior experience needed.
Note: Either Lampwork beads or Loop 'n' Loop or will be taught. Whichever one receives the higher enrollment will be held and the other dropped.
Note: Either Lampwork beads or Loop 'n' Loop or will be taught. Whichever one receives the higher enrollment will be held and the other dropped.
Loop 'n' Loop--Pat Baker
Students will learn the ancient technique of fusing fine silver jump rings and weaving them together into a chain. We will explore 2 different patters and students will finish at least one fine silver bracelet. (These beautiful designs are quite different from chainmaille). 2-day class offered 2nd Semester. No prior experience is needed.
Note: Either Loop 'n' Loop or Lampwork beads will be taught. Whichever one receives the higher enrollment will be held and the other dropped.
Note: Either Loop 'n' Loop or Lampwork beads will be taught. Whichever one receives the higher enrollment will be held and the other dropped.
Silversmithing (Basic) Richard Mesler
Have fun learning the basics of working silver sheet and wire to fabricate jewelry. The projects will introduce you to annealing and bending/shaping/texturing metal, soldering, piercing and polishing.
2-day class offered 1st semester. No prior experience necessary.
2-day class offered 1st semester. No prior experience necessary.
Silversmithing (Intermediate)--Richard Mesler
Continue your education working with metals by doing a more complex project. You will learn to make a bezel and bail in which you will set a cabochon to make a pendant. Prerequisite: Basic silversmithing experience including soldering.
2-day class offered 2nd semester.
2-day class offered 2nd semester.
Wirewrapped Jewelry (Basic)--Jan Stephens
Students will learn the fundamentals of wire art jewelry. Students will create bracelets, rings and pendants of wire and incorporate natural stones, beads and/or faceted gems into various simple, yet elegant designs. 2-day class offered 1st semester. No prior experience necessary.
Wirewrapped Jewelry (Intrmd.)--Jan Stephens
Students will progress to somewhat more advanced, but still fairly easy to master wire jewelry techniques with additional rings, pendants and bracelets. Prerequisite: Basic wirewrapping skills. 2-day class offered 2nd semester.
Wildaacres "Wild"--Virginia Meador
Students will explore the beauty of the Wildacres area including its flora and some of its hidden secrets. Good walking shoes or boots with ankle support and rain gear are recommended. This is not a class for those having difficulty walking woodland trails and hills. 2-day class offered 1st semester. No prior experience necessary.
Roadside Geology & Photography--Virginia Meador
Bring your camera and join us for a roadside tour of nearby features to study the geologic history of the Blue Ridge region with an added bonus of photo ops and tips. 2-day class offered 2nd semester.