April 23 - 25

Forged Wire Jewelry

CLASS CANCELLED

April 30 - May 2
Introduction to Silversmithing
Robert Riffe • Beginner to Intermediate • $210
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $40
This workshop will focus on basic silversmith skills and techniques to create a silver and stone pendant. Silver soldering, sawing, bezel setting, polishing, design concepts and materials, use of tools and studio equipment will be covered.  Students may work on other jewelry projects as time, creativity and skills allow.  More experienced students are welcome to expand on existing skills and create wearable art in Touchstone's Jewelry studio.
Robert's Instructor Page

May 14 - 16
Basic Precious Metal Clay Techniques
Cheryl Robertson • All Levels • $210

CLASS CANCELLED

May 21 - 23      
Hollow Forms in PMC
Donna Penoyer • All Levels • $215

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $95 or market value

Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is an amazing form of fine silver that is malleable and worked like a clay, then dried and fired to pure silver with a torch or kiln. When constructing hollow forms with PMC, the possibilities are endless. Learn how to make pure silver jewelry by building PMC walls and components and pasting them together, utilizing a variety of removable armatures to explore shape and volume. Try cylinders, 2-sided lentils, 4-sided pillows, 5-sided triangle pendants, or free-form shapes. Make beads, pendants, earrings, or even a small tabletop box. Beginners are welcome!
Donna's Instructor Page

June 6 - 12
Chasing A-Z: A Comprehensive Survey of Techniques
Liza Nechamkin-Glasser • All Levels • $430
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $29
This class will use a foundation in jewelry scale work to cover most aspects of chasing and repoussé. Students are also welcome to explore small hollowware or decorative panels. Emphasis will be placed on comprehension of process but students can complete projects if desired. Techniques covered will be: Safely working with pitch, preparing a pitch bowl, correct use of tools, design transfer to metal, chasing decorative line, moderately high and low relief direct and indirect repoussé.  Tool making will be thoroughly covered and students will make 2 or more well formed chasing tools to keep. Repoussé on hollowware will be demonstrated through use of snarling irons which students may opt to try using on instructor provided vessels. Although quantities will be limited, some hammers, pitch, pitch bowls, tool sets and extra tool blanks will be available for purchase during class, allowing students to go away with a basic supply kit.
Liza's Instructor Page

June 13 - 15
Introduction to Stone Setting: Bezels & Tube Setting
Wayne Werner • Beginner to Intermediate • $200
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $30
This class will provide students with the necessary tools and vocabulary to begin setting stones. Students will be introduced to bezel rockers, pushers, burnishers, and other tools relevant to setting stones successfully. Different types of bezels will be explored including: thick, thin, stepped, and open back. Advanced students can challenge their ability by setting more difficult shapes such as tall, angular, and sharp cornered stones. With the use of setting burs students will experience setting round faced stones in tubes. Advanced students are welcome to try to set square faced stones in tubes.
Wayne's Instructor Page

June 16 - 19
Intermediate Stone Setting: Flush, Pave, & Prong Setting
Wayne Werner • Intermediate to Advanced • $300
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $35
Part two in a comprehensive study of stone setting. This class introduces the student to the more challenging aspects of stone setting. We will also discuss the in depth te parts of a faceted stone and the terms used to describe them. Flush setting is demonstrated in three different approaches; flaring out, key holding in, and setting from behind. Pave setting will be demonstrated as; star cut, inside out, and cluster setting. Finally, students will set a 6.5mm faceted stone in a four prong solitary style ring. A discussion of the difference between diamond cut and colored stone cuts will also be covered. We will discuss the difference in hardness in stones and how that should affect our designing or setting style. Consideration will also be taken as to the hardness of the metal we are setting in. Students are encouraged to bring in stones and discuss ways best suited to set them. Instructor will provide faceted stones, burs, and settings. Students will also receive stone setters shellac, a wood block for set up, a pick-up stick with sticky wax for handling stones.
Wayne's Instructor Page

June 20 - 26
Introduction to Goldsmithing
Wayne Werner • Intermediate to Advanced • $450
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $75-$100
Learn the art of Goldsmithing. View gold in its natural state (nuggets, dendrites, flake and ore) and transform the gold from its crystalline form to liquid and back to crystalline to become the material with which we work. Watch the alloying process and discuss the different purities of gold, the kareting system and the benefits and problems encountered with each. With the use of acids, learn how to test gold to find its purity. Students will understand how to keep scrap separate and reuse it for other projects. Soldering and polishing will be demonstrated as well as designing to achieve the maximum results from their investment in gold. Students are encouraged to bring in some pure gold to alloy as well as old gold from jewelry to be tested and recycled into useable material. This class is designed for people who have a firm grasp on silver soldering and fabricating and want to explore the option of working with gold. We will literally alloy our own gold, form it into sheet or wire, and each student will get a small amount to work with in the class.
Wayne's Instructor Page

June 27 - July 3
Metal Jewelry Made Easy
Jan Loney • Beginner to Intermediate • $430
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $45 plus silver based on market value
This is a great course for those interested in learning the basics or improving existing basic skills to make jewelry with style.  Based on the instructor’s new book published in 2009, this course will cover basic fabrication techniques including design, layout, tools and supplies, piercing, stamping, forging chain making, bezel settings, reticulation, soldering, and casting.  Projects based on the book as well as those designed by participants are all encouraged.  Leave this class with a solid foundation for making jewelry and several completed projects.
Jan's Instructor Page

July 4 - 10
The Found Object Sandwich: The Photo Assemblage Brooch
Thomas Mann • All Levels • $625
Materials Fee Payable to Touchstone: $45-$55
This workshop offers the opportunity to explore the design concepts and fabrication techniques important to an assemblage approach to personal wearable object making. Mann will lead workshop participants in the creation of their own found object creations and in the process learn critical metalsmithing skills and engineering. This workshop covers the basic cold-connection techniques as well as explorations of other processes including etching, die-forming, soldering, etc. Students are encouraged to bring photographs (old, new or magazine) and found objects such as buttons, heirloom jewelry or stuff they find in the street or in nature, industrial materials (chain, electronic parts, etc.) to incorporate in the design and fabrication of a personal wearable expression.
Thomas' Instructor Page

July 11 - 17
Crocheting with Fine Wire
Joan Dulla • All Levels • $420
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $125
In this workshop, students will learn the basic to advanced techniques of crocheting with wire, from the single stitch tubular form, from which you can make chains for necklaces or pendants, to the more advanced free form, from which you can go sculptural. Using this method of knitting using crochet hook with silver, copper wire and niobium wire, the class will consist of an introduction of the knitting technique and demonstrations of the single stitch, double stitch, chain making and bead forms. Also included will be the addition of beads to your work, plus demonstrations of anodizing niobium. The material fee cost includes Joan’s new book, DVD, and all basic materials for this class. Students may bring their own wire.
Joan's Instructor Page

July 11- 17
Enameling without Boundaries
Linda Darty • All Levels • $475
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: To be decided
Explore personal approaches to working with glass on metal to create jewelry or small objects. A variety of techniques will be covered and students can focus on those that interest them most. This class is designed for all levels, allowing both beginners, and those with experience to pursue and develop at their own level. Use of opaques, transparents, foils, sifting, and painting techniques,cloisonné, champlevé, liquid enamels, and experiemental explorations will be covered. Soldering and metal fabrication as related to enameling will be included. Some metal experience is helpful, but is not required. 

*This class has an optional add on weekend where students will learn how to set their enameled pieces. The course information is below.
Linda's Instructor Page

July 17 - 18
Setting Enamels: Beyond Basic Bezels
Linda Darty • Basic sawing & soldering skills recommended • $225
During this two day workshop, students will learn how to set enamels in innovative ways to create jewelry or other objects. Possibilities include frames, prongs, tabs, rivets, and other cold connections. Basic sawing and soldering skills are recommended. First priority will be given to students who have taken the Enameling without Boundaries class. Others must bring finished enamels ready to be set.
Linda's Instructor Page

July 18 - 24
Paper & Epoxy Jewelry
James Thurman • All Levels • $430
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $50
For almost 10 years, James Thurman has been experimenting with a material he has named "Mokume-Kami" (by putting together the Japanese words for "wood grain" and "paper"), where layers of paper are epoxied together to create a block of material that can be shaped like plastic or wood.  As material is removed, patterns similar to wood grain are exposed. Mokume-Kami is as versatile as wood but far more colorful!  Through the design and creation of a variety of wearables, such as rings, bracelets, pendants, and pins, we will cover a range of traditional and non-traditional jewelry-making techniques and materials.  Interested students should have a creative spirit fused with a passion for details but not necessarily prior metalsmithing experience, although advanced students are encouraged to challenge themselves in this workshop as well.
James' Instructor Page

July 25 - 31
Mechanical Concepts: Enhancing Work with Creative Mechanisms
Tom Muir • Basic sawing, filing, & soldering skills required • $430
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $25 
This hands-on workshop will focus on hinges, catches and mechanisms that are creatively integrated into the participant’s work. Through technical demonstrations, discussions, visual images and an examination of various samples, special emphasis will be placed on problem-solving and creative applications useful to a variety of formats and approaches. Engineering principles of mechanisms will be discussed, along with useful soldering and fabrication strategies, which can be applied to numerous procedures in the jeweler’s and metal smith’s studios.

During the hands-on segment of the workshop, at least two hinges(standard and integral) and up to three mechanisms (may include universal joint, key catch, and/or bayonet catch with stainless steel spring) will be produced by each student. Additional mechanisms that will be examined including: Hinges: universal joint, cradle, offset; Catches: tube, box, tension, threaded, and offset along with stainless steel springs, swivel devices and threading. Other mechanisms: swivels, gears, springs and pin stems.
Tom's Instructor Page

August 1- 7
Small Scale Sculpture Design & Fabrication
Charles Pinckney • All Levels • $450
In this workshop, we will explore design and the concept of  “art as oral tradition” using traditional metals and surface embellishment techniques as a foundation for combining metals with natural materials to fabricate medium scale objects. Participants will learn through discussion, demonstration, and hands-on experience and will leave the workshop with several designs and at least one piece that is close to being completed! We will work with your design book and sketches. The list of potential materials includes sterling, titanium, copper, bronze, steel, paper, iron, wood, stone, bone, and found objects. 
Charles' Instructor Page 

August 8 - 14
Some Assembly Required
Ken Bova • All Levels • $460
In this lively hand-on workshop, students learn to put together a variety of techniques and elements to create jewelry, from simple to sophisticated. Learn to make and use some cool tools and cold connections to create colorful and personal collage and assemblage jewelry that showcases your unique touch. You’ll learn quick and effective fabrication and connecting processes along with ways to generate idea and find inspiration for new work. We cover a variety of techniques including bending, folding, riveting, bolting, tying, stitching, linking, pinning, and setting mechanics. Coloring processes and texturing techniques will also be covered to provide a technical and visual vocabulary you can use to fashion your personal one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Ken's Instructor Page

August 15 - 21
Torch Fired Enamel and Jewelry- A Perfect Pairing
Tricia Harding • Basic sawing and soldering skills required • $450
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $35
Interested in adding color to your jewelry repertoire? Learn the basics of enameling and how to incorporate them into your own jewelry in this two-part intensive workshop. The first component will cover essential enameling techniques (sifting, layering, sgraffito, stencils, and wet packing of powdered enamel) using the torch-fired method – no kiln required! We will also experiment with foils, separation enamel, and graphite drawing.  The second component will explore the multiple options associated with a tab style setting – perfect for fragile enamel elements. Students can expect to take lots of notes, and to create a finished piece or many samples, depending upon specific interests.  Basic jewelry and soldering skills are required, however no enameling experience is necessary.
Tricia's Instructor Page

August 15 - 21
Bronze, Copper, and Beyond
Christopher Darway • All Levels • $450
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $25
This workshop will encompass PMC© silver clay, Aura 22 , and the new Bronzclay™ and Copprclay™ materials. All are water based non toxic powdered metals .The PMC products are fine silver while the bronze and Aura 22 are two element alloys .Both clays are fired in existing PMC kilns while we touch fire Aura 22 .This class will cover the similarities and differences of the materials .Most of the techniques we use with silver clay will work with the bronze .Bronze is much stronger because it is and alloy and has a wider range of possible patinas since it is copper based. We will combine the metal clay with glass, Titanium and other materials .Jewelry and small sculpture projects will be made during the workshop. Simple mold making using RTV silicon rubber and plaster molds will be included. Even though this is a beginner’s workshop people who have worked with silver metal clay will be learning new techniques and honing their existing skills. Students will purchase tool kit and metal clay prior to course.
Christopher's Instructor Page

September 10 - 12
PMC and Clay: Exploring New Techniques
Cheryl Robertson • All Levels • $215
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $35
In this workshop students will explore how to combine precious metal clay and ceramics to create original jewelry. During the first part of this workshop class participants will create original pendants, focal beads, and pins using stoneware clay. These pieces will be decorated with ceramic underglazes using sgraffito techniques. During the second part of this workshop students will learn various techniques to apply metal clay to their ceramic creations. The results are truly unique. Technical aspects will be discussed and students will learn the firing processes for combining ceramic beads and metal clay. Prior experience with PMC is helpful, but not necessary. All levels are welcome. Students will purchase metal clay prior to class. Supply and vendor list will be provided.
Cheryl's Instructor Page

September 17 - 19
PMC Nature Jewelry
Donna Penoyer • All Levels • $215
Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $95 or market value
Metal clay is wonderful for reproducing natural objects in fine silver, capturing the subtlest of details beautifully. Teacher demos will present various approaches, including covering leaves, flowers, or pods with PMC paste; taking molds of natural objects such as stones, acorns, twigs, and flowers; and impressing PMC clay directly with leaves, etc., to create a base for beautiful jewelry. Students will choose which approach appeals to them most and start from there. Plenty of individual attention will assure that beginners receive the basic instruction they need and that more experienced students may explore their own design ideas.
Donna's Instructor Page