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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!

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

Upcoming classes

  • Forged Wearables: Jewelry-Scale Blacksmithing

    • Thu, April 04, 2024
    • Thu, May 02, 2024
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    Register

    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, including pendants and earrings. You can expect to create at least of three steel 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. *Some* blacksmithing experience is recommended, but we can accommodate beginners.

    $230 ($195 tuition + $35 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Pete Gierzynski 


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  • Ring Setting Basics: Bezel Set 1

    • Thu, April 04, 2024
    • Thu, May 09, 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Love stones? Want to know how to make jewelry with them? This is your chance! In this 6-week course we'll start with basic silversmithing skills and learn to use a jeweler's saw, files, dual fuel torch and more. Each week you'll add to and combine your skills as we work towards making two completely hand fabricated rings, one with a round cabochon and another with a shape that offers more complexity. To maximize learning and success for everyone, your projects will allow some creative expression while also following some specifications.

    Beginners are welcome in this class, but it will be best if you've taken Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals or have some experience with making jewelry or similar crafts. It's also a great review for smiths with some experience who want to learn how to fabricate bezels.

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

    Instructor: Tai Salisbury 


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  • Copper Enamel Jewelry Sampler

    • Sat, April 20, 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
    • 1
    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 


    Show details

  • Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Starting with Sheet

    • Mon, April 22, 2024
    • Mon, June 17, 2024
    • 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

    Show details

  • Soft Soldering: Low-Heat Techniques for Jewelry

    • Sat, April 27, 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    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.

    $90 ($70 tuition + $20 materials)  
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 16-17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Annemarie Hines

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  • Jewelry Project Shop: Water Casting

    • Sat, April 27, 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    This might be the simplest form of casting ever: heat up metal, pour it into water, and see what takes shape. It's also the most fun you will ever have playing in a bucket. Water casting offers little to no control over the outcome, but a great deal of instant gratification and creativity fodder. It's a fun and easy way to create completely unique and organic forms to add to other jewelry pieces. The workshop will include discussions of design possibilities with your new castings. Bring any clean silver scraps you have for extra fun.

    $70 ($55 tuition + $15 materials)  
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Tai Salisbury

    Show details

  • Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Working with Wire

    • Sat, May 04, 2024
    • Sat, June 29, 2024
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

    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. 

    $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

    Show details

  • Jewelry to Jewelry: Reuse, Recycle, Rethink

    • Fri, May 10, 2024
    • Fri, June 14, 2024
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    These three Rs not only help conserve landfill space and natural resources, but can also spark creativity. The jewelry industry has evolved through countless types and styles - from luxury brands to commercial markets - and is experiencing its own ethical and environmental challenges. In this weekend workshop, we'll explore working with readily available, existing industry or mass produced jewelry items to create new jewelry pieces.

    You'll work from a kit of curated material pieces, parts, or multiples as inspiration, and you're welcome to bring your own collections too. You'll be encouraged to create your pieces from reused materials as much as possible, but there will also be a selection of copper, bronze, and sterling silver sheet and wire. The objectives are to follow your aesthetic instincts, challenge your design or metalworking skills, and become more aware and feel good about reusing materials to create new jewelry. Discussions and demonstrations include additive or subtractive principles, hot and cold connections, fabricating findings, shaping, pattern development, and finishing. Jewelry experience is required, at advanced beginner to intermediate level. 

    $220 ($195 tuition + $25 materials)  |  5 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Linda Seebauer Hansen holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BFA from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She received an Individual Fellowship Award from the Wisconsin Arts Board, was an active member of MetalPeople Studio in Madison, WI, and taught at UW-Whitewater and Madison, and Milwaukee Area Technical College. She served as Metals Department Head at the Worcester Center for MA, where she was presented with the Barrett Morgan Award for exemplary leadership and teaching. To be closer to aging parents, Linda moved to Minnesota and for seven years directed a comprehensive education program for a non-profit arts organization. She has since returned to her studio practice, while teaching at a variety of venues over the years including Women's Art Institute at St. Catherine University, Penland School of Crafts, Quench Jewelry Arts, and Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Her artwork is exhibited and collected nationally. 

    Show details

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

    • Sun, May 12, 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    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


    Show details

  • Jewelry Fundamentals: Lost Wax Casting

    • Thu, May 16, 2024
    • Thu, June 20, 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Lost wax casting is a technique that has been around for ages. The jewelry manufacturing industry has embraced CAD and 3D printers to streamline the process, but there will always be a place for hand carved wax models. This class will focus on creating those wax models using multiple techniques and and the factors that make a model more likely to cast well. We will cover wax types, tools to use, exercises to build skill, and create a basic ring. At the end of class you will have the option to cast one or two of your pieces in silver.

     $285 ($235 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Tai Salisbury

    Show details

  • Jewelry Project Shop: River Rocks & Sea Glass

    • Tue, May 28, 2024
    • Tue, June 04, 2024
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    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 is a jewelry artist, teacher, and crafter that has been making silver jewelry for more than thirty 30 years. She has been teaching in the Minneapolis area for 20 years, with a focus on PMC and fused glass.  As an instructor she loves to share her knowledge but also learns a tremendous amount from the folks who take her classes. Laura has also participated in several Minnesota art fairs over the years, including Powderhorn, Loring Park, and Grand Marais. After spending many years in retail as a visual merchandiser, she's returning to her roots in traditional silversmithing and making teaching her full-time endeavor, including helping with the launch of the new jewelry program at CAFAC.

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  • Jewelry Project Shop: Silver Fusing

    • Wed, May 29, 2024
    • Wed, June 05, 2024
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Fusing is connecting metals by melting them together. No solder, no chemicals, easy set up, and very little clean up makes it ideal for total beginners who want an easy way to get into metal work. It's also one of the best ways to improve your soldering skills if you are already on that path, because it will give you so much practice observing metal as it goes through its heat stages. This a great class to invite a curious friend or family member to, and share the joy of making jewelry together. You'll work on making a single piece, such as a pendant. 

    $100 ($80 tuition + $20 materials)  
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Tai Salisbury

    Show details

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

    • Sun, June 09, 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
    • 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


    Show details

  • Jewelry Project Shop: Stacker Rings

    • Tue, June 11, 2024
    • Tue, June 18, 2024
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    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 

    Show details

  • Pour and Ingot: Reuse, Recycle + More for Jewelers

    • Fri, June 21, 2024
    • Fri, July 19, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Do you have some clean scrap sterling silver? Learn to recycle this material and make your own sheet and a variety of gauges of wire. Together,  we'll explore how to test questionable metals, the melting and pouring processes, and altering the ingot shape through milling, forging or drawing to produce a useful product. Instead of buying new metal this course gives you the confidence to pour and create your own! Japanese alloys will also be introduced to add to your palette of metal choices.

    All are welcome, but it is helpful to have some jewelry experience. You'll need to supply or source their own sterling silver scrap or objects for the class.

    $180 ($155 tuition + $25 materials)  |  4 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Linda Seebauer Hansen holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BFA from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She received an Individual Fellowship Award from the Wisconsin Arts Board, was an active member of MetalPeople Studio in Madison, WI, and taught at UW-Whitewater and Madison, and Milwaukee Area Technical College. She served as Metals Department Head at the Worcester Center for MA, where she was presented with the Barrett Morgan Award for exemplary leadership and teaching. To be closer to aging parents, Linda moved to Minnesota and for seven years directed a comprehensive education program for a non-profit arts organization. She has since returned to her studio practice, while teaching at a variety of venues over the years including Women's Art Institute at St. Catherine University, Penland School of Crafts, Quench Jewelry Arts, and Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Her artwork is exhibited and collected nationally. 

    Show details

  • Copper Enamel Jewelry Sampler

    • Sun, June 30, 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    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 


    Show details

CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

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