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• Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Starting with Sheet

  • Start
    Mon, May 05, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Mon, June 30, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Many jewelry pieces start with a basic building block: a sheet of metal. In this course you'll explore the many ways sheet is used in jewelry-making and start building an essential skill set.

  We will start by learning about bench setup, safety in the jewelry studio, and commonly used tools and equipment. We'll discuss different metals (copper, brass, sterling silver, gold), as well as gauges and which are best for different applications. We'll discuss different types of soldering and then focus on pick soldering throughout the class. You'll create a sterling pendant with a simple pierced design and a round, bezel-set cabochon stone. Along the way, learn and practice essential skills including sawing, filing, texturing, finishing and polishing.

  No prior experience is required for this fundamental course.

  $360 ($310 tuition + $50 materials)  |  8 weeks
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Laura D. Juul

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• Soft Soldering: Low-Heat Techniques for Jewelry

  • Start
    Wed, July 09, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wed, July 30, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Delve into the captivating art of soft soldering in this beginner-level jewelry class. You'll choose from an array of projects, creating personalized pieces such as rings, pendants, or earrings. You'll practice a variety of low heat techniques with a soldering iron and be encouraged to explore your creativity with soldering.

  The workshop will provide guidance through the entire process, from working with base metals to provide structure to polishing your work and adding any finishing touches. Along the way, we'll explore ways to create visual interest with beads and other findings, use soldering techniques to sculpt pieces, and apply patina to add color and depth to the metals. Each session will build upon the previous session, providing the opportunity to learn a variety of different techniques as the class progresses or focus on specific ones you'd like to cultivate.

  No experience required! Whether you have a passion for jewelry, a curiosity about soldering, or simply a desire to acquire a new skill, join us on an artistic journey and leave with one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that reflect your individual style and artistic expression.

  $185 ($155 tuition + $30 materials)  
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Annemarie Hines

  
  

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• Copper Enamel Jewelry 1: Exploratory Approaches and Designs

  • Start
    Fri, July 18, 2025
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  • End
    Sat, July 26, 2025
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  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  

  Do you want to bring your creative vision to life with basic metal manipulation and a rich palette of enamels? Copper enameling is a world of ancient techniques that meet contemporary experimental approaches of today.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  In this class you'll learn:

  • how to cut, file and sand basic shapes from copper sheet metal
  • general metal preparation for enameling
  • kiln-fired and torch-fired basic enameling approaches
  • dry enameling techniques such as; sifting, lump and thread, transparent enamels over wire and hammering effects, drawing and the use of negative space over enamel, etc.
  • basic jewelry finding techniques to bring your copper enamel pieces together

  We'll explore cold metal manipulation as well as enamel on copper approaches using temperatures between 1300 - 1500 degrees. You'll walk away from this course with a new excitement for working with color and metal, several one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, and practical skills and tips to continue exploring these techniques on your own. No experience required.  

  $280 ($235 tuition + $45 materials)  |  6 sessions
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Crystal Celeste 

  
  

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• Copper Enamel Jewelry Sampler

  • When
    Fri, July 18, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  

  Manifest your creative vision by creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces colored with a rich palette of enamels. In this sampler style class, we'll explore basic copper enamel techniques using pre-fabricated copper shapes. You will walk away from this course with a new excitement for working with glass, color and metal.

  In this workshop you will learn:

  • kiln-fired and torch-fired enameling
  • at least three dry enameling techniques including sifting, fade, lump & thread, and more
  • basic jewelry finding connection techniques to bring your copper enamel pieces together

  $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials) 
  Open to ages 16 and up.
  

  Instructor: Crystal Celeste 

  
  

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• Open Copper Enamel Studio

  • When
    Sat, July 26, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  Open Copper Enamel Studio is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) the Copper Enamel Sampler or Copper Enamel Jewelry I class at CAFAC.

  This is your opportunity to get into the studio to work on projects or keep practicing your skills. You'll work independently with an instructor on hand if you have questions. CAFAC will supply the tools and equipment, along with scrap copper and some enamels (enough for 3-4 smaller pieces). You are also welcome to bring your own copper and enamels, if you'd like to make larger or more pieces. 

  $50 ($40 tuition + $10 materials)

  Instructor: Crystal Celeste Price

  
  

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• Jewelry Fundamentals: Red Sand Casting

  • Start
    Mon, August 04, 2025
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  • End
    Mon, August 25, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  In this class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of small scale sand casting using a special blend of delft clay and red sand. You will be guided to prepare and pack a two-part mold, working to capture fine detail, and safely pour molten metal to create your own unique design.

  Feel free to bring your own small charm or object to cast or you can pick from our curated selection of found objects. you’ll practice embedding, carving, and venting techniques to produce clean, detailed castings. You'll work with both bronze and sterling silver to create two or three finished pieces, depending on the size and complexity of your designs. Once cooled and removed from the mold, you’ll learn basic finishing and polishing techniques to complete your cast project.

  No experience is necessary—all tools, materials and safety equipment are provided. Whether you're exploring metalworking for the first time or beginning your journey into jewelry or sculpture, this class offers a fun and approachable introduction to sand casting.

   $200 ($155 tuition + $45 materials)  |  4 weeks
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Laura Juul

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• Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Roll & Rivet

  • Start
    Thu, August 07, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thu, August 28, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  In this fun and hands-on class, you'll learn two exciting jewelry-making techniques: rolling mill texturing and basic riveting.

  We'll start by discovering how to use a rolling mill to imprint custom textures onto copper sheet metal. Experiment with a variety of materials to create your own unique patterns, using items like sponges, wire, cardboard, paper cutouts, lace, and sandpaper. In the second half of the class, we'll dive into basic riveting—a technique that allows you to connect multiple metal pieces, creating layered, inventive designs. You'll experiment with copper, brass, and aluminum rivets.

  Throughout the class you'll learn shop safety and get comfortable with basic jewelry hand tools, including saws, files, and hammers, as well as a rotary drill flex shaft. We'll also cover how to anneal metal to get the best impression, explore simple oxidation techniques, and finish your pieces by hand using steel wool and sandpaper to get a lovely satin glow.

  This class is open to beginners, as well as anyone interested in learning to use a rolling mill.

  $185 ($155 tuition + $30 materials)  |  4 sessions
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Laura D. Juul

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• Jewelry Project Shop: Stacker Rings

  • When
    Sat, August 16, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    7

  Register

  Want to make some simple, cute stacker rings? Pick a finger or toe you'd like to adorn with some little sterling and copper rings and learn how to make them in an afternoon. Stacker rings are an easy, fun project and a great way to get a taste of silversmithing. In this workshop, we'll start by learning about the basic tools you’ll need. Then, you'll dive into some basic silversmithing techniques like hammering, filing, sawing, and soldering as you work on your project.
  

  No prior experience is required for this fundamental course. 

  $100 ($80 tuition + $20 materials)  
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Laura D. Juul 

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• Photos & Fire: Intro To Torch-Fired Enameling With Photo Decals

  • When
    Sat, September 20, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  Join us for a fun introduction to vitreous enameling that is perfect for makers of all experience levels, from total first-timers to more experienced artists.

  After an overview of tools, materials and safety, you'll be guided through the process of torch-firing enamels and photo decals onto a copper substrate to create unique wearable or decorative keepsakes. You'll be introduced to the use of dry-sifted vitreous enamel, paintable enamel, and black and white photo decals. We will explore the design possibilities of combining and layering different photo elements with both opaque and transparent enamels to create pendants, earrings, keychains, or component pieces that can be incorporated into other larger works.

  If you have a personal photo you'd like to incorporate into an enameled piece, please email it to the instructor after you register. Otherwise, you'll be able to choose from provided image decals.

  $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials) 
  Open to ages 18 and up.
  

  Instructor: Erin Proctor

  
  

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