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Classes  >>  Jewelry



Our jewelry classes aim to provide the building blocks of essential skills needed to create jewelry pieces by hand. You'll learn fundamental fabrication skills for working with wire, sheet, and stones to create a wide variety of pieces. We offer classes in jewelry casting techniques, precious metal clay, wire wrapping, and other special topics.  


Click on the course name to see all class meeting dates, times, and course fee.

If you're looking for a Reheater option, select the class you'd like to Reheat and choose the appropriate fee when registering.

Please read these FAQs for details about what to bring/wear, refund policy, age requirements and more. We've also compiled a sensory rubric with more information about what to expect in a particular type of class. 

Joining a waitlist? Before you add yourself to a waitlist for a class that's full, it helps us if you're pretty certain you'll be available. If a spot becomes available, you'll be automatically registered and given about 24 hours to confirm your registration by paying. If we have a long list of folks who are no longer interested, it can be time-consuming to fill that spot. Thank you!

Upcoming classes

  • Small Things Casting with Lost Wax

    • Thu, May 01, 2025
    • Thu, June 19, 2025
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Do you have an idea for a small-size sculpture or jewelry piece that you'd like to make in cast silver or bronze? This comprehensive class will immerse you in the process of lost wax casting in miniature form. You'll learn to carve wax, make molds, and cast small art objects or jewelry, using the vacuum assist casting method. The class will cover safety protocols, the tools used for wax carving, techniques for pouring metal, and basic finishing of cast artworks. Our focus will be on wax carving to create patterns for casting, but not silicone/rubber molding or inclusion of stones. Questions about whether your project is suitable for this class? Get in touch with the instructor at jess.night@cafac.org. Class fee includes 1.5 troy ounces of silver and up to a half-pound of bronze. 

    No prior experience is required for this fundamental course. 

    $380 ($310 tuition + $70 materials)  |  8 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18. 

    Instructor: Jess Night 

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  • Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Starting with Sheet

    • Mon, May 05, 2025
    • Mon, June 30, 2025
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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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  • Metal Clay Exploration

    • Tue, May 13, 2025
    • Tue, June 17, 2025
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    In this class you'll learn the sculpting and forming techniques used to create simple pendants, beads and rings out of 100% pure silver metal clay. Once the basic skills are covered we'll discuss setting synthetic stones into your pieces before learning about firing and finishing the objects you make.

    This class is designed for anyone who has an interest in creating pure silver jewelry or works of art while sitting at your kitchen table. No experience needed.

    $285 ($235 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Laura Juul 

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  • Old to New: Reusing & Recycling Metals for Jewelry-Making

    • Thu, May 22, 2025
    • Thu, June 12, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Have you been holding onto your grandmother’s silver spoon or jewelry? Or have clean scrap sterling silver? Learn to recycle precious metals and add environmentally-friendly techniques to your jewelry-making! This class covers the fundamentals of hallmarking to identify sterling from plated base metals, plus highlights various karat golds. Explore melting metal and pouring it into ingots that can be rolled or milled to make useful material like wire and sheet. Once that step is complete you'll work at the jeweler's bench using a variety of hand tools to texture and shape metal, and a torch to solder to make a band ring. Basic jewelry finishing will also be covered.

    All skill levels are welcome! You'll need to supply or source your own sterling silver scrap or objects to melt for this class.

    $200 ($180 tuition + $20 materials)  |  4 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Linda Seebauer Hansen 

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  • Jewelry Project Shop: River Rocks & Sea Glass

    • Wed, May 28, 2025
    • Wed, June 04, 2025
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Calling all beachcombers! Turn your river rocks and sea glass into one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. This workshop will focus on building your skill with the drill. All you need is the correct drill bits and some patience. You'll be able to drill two to three pieces and then get to use a variety of findings and beads to create a pendant, earrings, or a key chain.

    Bring your own river rock or sea glass. If you don’t have any we will have a variety of both to choose from.

    $100 ($80 tuition + $20 materials)  |  2 day

    Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Laura Juul 

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  • Jewelry Skill Session: Flex Shaft 101

    • Sat, June 14, 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    The flex shaft is an essential tool at a jeweler’s workbench—so useful that you might even wish you had two at once! This skill-building workshop is designed for anyone looking to go beyond just drilling holes and unlock the full potential of the flex shaft.

    We’ll start by breaking down the tool’s components, how it works,  and best practices for safe and effective use. From there, you’ll get hands-on experience using it for a variety of techniques, including drilling, grinding, cutting, texturing, polishing, shaping, and carving.  You’ll also explore the vast array of attachment bits—burs, brushes, drill bits, grinders, sanders, felt pads, and more. 

    You're encouraged to bring their own finished or unfinished projects to experiment with the techniques learned in class. As you explore different tools and approaches, you'll build confidence and proficiency with this versatile tool. Plus, you'll receive a “Bitz Set” of essential bits to take home—giving you a great start in building your own collection of flex shaft tools.

    $110 ($80 tuition + $30 materials)  
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Laura Juul

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  • Soft Soldering: Low-Heat Techniques for Jewelry

    • Wed, July 09, 2025
    • Wed, July 30, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register
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  • Copper Enamel Jewelry 1: Exploratory Approaches and Designs

    • Fri, July 18, 2025
    • Sat, July 26, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    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

    • Fri, July 18, 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    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

    • Sat, July 26, 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register
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  • Jewelry Fundamentals: Red Sand Casting

    • Mon, August 04, 2025
    • Mon, August 25, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    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

    • Thu, August 07, 2025
    • Thu, August 28, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    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

    • Sat, August 16, 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    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

    • Sat, September 20, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    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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CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

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