Jewelry Metalsmithing Fundamentals: Working with Wire

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. Open to ages 18 and up.  |  $315 ($265 tuition + $50 materials)  |  8 weeks

Instructor: Laura D. 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.