Current & Upcoming classes

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• Forged Wearables: Jewelry-Scale Blacksmithing

  • Start
    Wed, April 08, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Wed, May 06, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Blacksmithing is not all swords and armor! It can also include making small forged objects that you can wear. In this class, we'll explore designing unique jewelry pieces, from bracelets and earrings to whatever you can imagine. You can expect to create at least three steel and/or copper jewelry projects. These projects will vary in size (from small to extremely small), allowing you to practice and gain skills in forging fine and detailed objects with a hammer and anvil. We'll practice delicate tapering, twisting, punching holes, chisel work, and finishes. Along with these traditional blacksmithing techniques, this class has a strong focus on learning problem solving, creative thinking, challenging perfectionism, and developing healthy posture and form while swinging your hammer.

  *Some* blacksmithing experience is recommended, but we can accommodate beginners.

  $260 ($225 tuition + $35 materials)  |  5 sessions
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Pete Gierzynski 

  
  

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• Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Working with Wire

  • Start
    Mon, May 04, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Mon, June 29, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  One of the most common components of jewelry is wire, whether you are making chain, closures, or settings. This foundational course will introduce you to some of the many ways wire is used in jewelry-making and you'll start building an essential skill set.

  We'll begin by learning about bench setup, safety in the jewelry studio, and commonly used tools and equipment. We'll discuss different types of soldering and then focus on pick soldering throughout the class. We'll also cover sawing, hammering textures, annealing metal, and polishing, with time to practice these skills. You'll work with different gauges of wire and can expect to complete a jewelry piece of your choice (necklace, bracelet, earring, ring) or possibly more depending on size and your proficiency. You'll work primarily with copper and a small amount of sterling silver.

  No prior experience is required for this fundamental course. 

  $410 ($360 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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• Jewelry Fundamentals: Red Sand Casting

  • Start
    Fri, May 08, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Fri, June 05, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    2

  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.

   $225 ($180 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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• Open Jewelry Studio: Bench Time

  • When
    Sat, May 09, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  Open Jewelry Studio is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a bench jewelry class at CAFAC.

  Open Studio is your opportunity to get more time on the torch, get advice, and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the materials and consumables and CAFAC will supply the tools and equipment. We have space for up to eight, so sign up today to reserve your bench spot.

  Note: this Open Studio is available for working with red sand casting but doesn't include working with precious metal clay.  

  $45

  Instructor: Laura Juul

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

  • When
    Sat, May 16, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
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  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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• Silver Clay Sampler: Make It in Metal

  • When
    Sun, May 17, 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
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    0

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  Ever dreamed of making your own jewelry from real silver? In this lively, no-pressure evening workshop, you’ll start to explore the fascinating world of silver metal clay — a soft, moldable material that transforms into 100% pure silver when fired.

  Using our wide selection of design molds and textures, you'll create a small pendant, keychain, or pair of earrings. The magic happens as your creation is fired in the kiln, transforming from clay into solid silver. Once cooled, you’ll hand-polish and patina your art, leaving class with a sparkling, ready-to-wear treasure you made yourself.

  It’s part science, part art, and entirely fun! We supply all the materials and tools you will need.

  $95 ($70 tuition + $25 materials) 
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Laura Juul 

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• Porcelain Enameling on Steel Sampler

  • When
    Wed, May 20, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    8

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  Learn the time-honored techniques of creating artwork with porcelain enamel. In this workshop, you'll learn to create a simple shape in enameling steel and then to safely apply rich color and create imagery by fusing porcelain enamel to the surface. We'll work with thin gauge enameling steel as our base, onto which we'll add kiln-fired illustrative imagery using porcelain glass enamels creating jewelry-scale works of art. You'll also have the option to add findings such as jump rings and chain to create jewelry pieces. Skills covered in this course include:

  • Basic shaping techniques used with enameling steel
  • Application methods including sgraffito, painting, sifting, and stenciling
  • Kiln firing safety and operation
  • Basic techniques for adding findings

  This workshop is aimed at beginners to porcelain enameling. You can expect to make one to three jewelry-scale pieces.

  $90 ($70 tuition + $20 materials)
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Jess Night

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• Advanced Silversmithing: Inspired by the Garden with Nicole Ringgold

  • Start
    Fri, May 22, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Tue, May 26, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  We're thrilled to welcome Nicole Ringgold to the CAFAC jewelry studio for a 5-day intensive workshop!

    
  

  This workshop is for intermediate to advanced silversmiths. We will convene for eight hours each day which includes a one-hour break for lunch.

  Throughout the workshop, you'll focus on torch control, sawing, forming, fusing, soldering, and so much more to fabricate a variety of garden-inspired pieces. Demonstrations will include the creation of leaves, a beet or radish, a flower, an insect, and other projects inspired by our creativity throughout the week. You'll create several pieces over the course of the workshop, and emerge with an understanding of what is involved in working full-time as a silversmith.

  $900 plus $240 materials* |  5-day intensive  |  Open to ages 18 and up
  Note: this workshop is not eligible for scholarship awards.

  *You may choose to provide your own materials. When you register, you'll choose whether or not you would like us to provide your materials. Sorry, materials are all-or-nothing (we provide all, or you provide all).

  Materials List

  • 1 3x3" sheet of 22 gauge sterling silver
  • 1 3x3" sheet of 24 gauge sterling silver
  • 1 5 ft 16 gauge sterling silver wire
  • 1 5 ft wire of 18 gauge sterling silver
  • 1 3 ft wire of 20 gauge sterling silver
  • Silver solder

  You are welcome to bring additional materials!
  

  All tools, equipment, and general shop consumables are provided.

    
  

  Instructor: Nicole Ringgold's work is inspired by everything she encounters in her natural surroundings -- a plant, an insect, a bird's nest, natural river rocks, a sound, a glimpse, a smell. She lives in Winthrop, Washington, situated in the North Cascade mountains. Nicole is an outdoor enthusiast, gardener, wife and mother, farmer, and world wanderer. Throughout the year she teaches master silversmithing workshops in her studio and around the globe.

  Nicole says, "My wearable art is hand fabricated. Many people assume that it is cast, dipped or electroformed. I start with silver sheets and wire, saw, solder, file, texture, form, oxidize and polish every piece. My intention is not to replicate the inspiration, but to recreate it with precious metal with as much detail as possible. My goal with every piece is to make the metal appear alive."

  This activity made possible by:

      

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

  • Start
    Thu, May 28, 2026
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  • End
    Thu, June 18, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    2

  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 hammered or milled to make create useful jewelry making 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.

  $230 ($210 tuition + $20 materials)  |  4 weeks
  Open to ages 18 and up.

  Instructor: Linda Seebauer Hansen 

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• Jewelry Project Shop: Stacker Rings

  • When
    Sat, May 30, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    4

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  Want to make some simple rings, ideal for wearing in multiples? Pick a finger or toe you'd like to adorn and learn how to make rings out of copper and sterling silver in an afternoon. Stacker rings are an easy, fun project and a great way to get a taste of silversmithing. We'll start by learning about the basic tools you’ll use, and then dive into fundamental silversmithing techniques like hammering, filing, sawing, and soldering as you work on your project.

  No prior experience is required! 

  
  

  $110 ($90 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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• Small Things Casting with Lost Wax

  • Start
    Mon, June 01, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Mon, June 29, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  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. 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. 

  $270 ($225 tuition + $45 materials)  |  5 weeks
  Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18. 

  Instructor: Jess Night 

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• Soft Soldering: Low-Heat Techniques for Jewelry

  • Start
    Wed, June 03, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Wed, June 24, 2026
  •  
  • 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. You'll leave with one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that reflect your individual style and artistic expression.

  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 discover the joy of crafting your own unique soldered jewelry pieces.

  $210 ($180 tuition + $30 materials)   |  4 sessions
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Annemarie Hines

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• Silversmithing Skill Session: Techniques for Finishes & Textures

  • When
    Sat, June 20, 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  This workshop is an ideal next step to our Stacker Rings class, and is designed for jewelers with some experience. Working in silver, you'll start by soldering, annealing, and sizing a ring band. Then we'll move on to explore a variety of finishing and texturing techniques, with a focus on safe and proper use of jewelers' tools. Based on your interest and experience, we may work with the torch, saw-blades, hammers, and the flex shaft. You'll leave having turned a simple, plain band into one of your own unique and personalized creation.

  $110 ($90 tuition + $20 materials)  
  Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

  Instructor: Sam Andre

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