Welcome to the wonderful world of jewelry making and metalsmithing!
More classes coming soon!
- Loops, Links, & Hooks: Wire Strategies for Clasps
- 5-Strand Bangle Bracelet
- Mokume Gane: Wood Grain Pattern in Metal with visiting artist Eric Burris
- Organic Scrap Metal Casting
- Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing Weekend Intensive - June 2022
- Wire Wrapped Cabochons
- Wire Wrapped Prong Settings
- Budding Vine Ring
- Gallery Wire Embellished Ring Shanks
- Faceted Stone Setting Theory and Applications: Round Stones with visiting artist Kirk Lang
- Faceted Stone Setting Theory and Applications: Fancy Stones with visiting artist Kirk Lang
- Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing Weekend Intensive - July 2022
- Mentored Independent Study
Loops, Links, & Hooks: Wire Strategies for Clasps (session 3 of Exploring Wire Wrapping- 6 classes to build your wire working skills)
Do you want to make custom clasps for your jewelry? Join us to explore the possibilities of closures and connectors using simple wire wrapping techniques. We will learn to form 3 styles of hooks and 2 types of loops. One of the hook and loop sets we will be using in our next session to finish our bangle bracelets. The other 2 types are great for use with chains for pendants or bracelets. Students start practicing with copper wire, then move into sterling wire to make at least two hook and loop sets. This class is limited to eight students. Tools will be available for use.
June 4, 2022 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
All levels are welcome, some wire working experience can be helpful but not required. (Ages 18 and up)
Class Fee: $75 Materials fee: $20 payable to the instructor
Instructor: Michele Stoffan
***This is session 3 of "Exploring Wire Wrapping- 6 classes to build your wire working skills". If you would like to register for the whole series of 6 classes click here for details and savings.
5-Strand Bangle Bracelet (Session 4 of Exploring Wire Wrapping- 6 classes to build your wire working skills)
This session we begin using two new wire shapes, square and half round. (See Which Wire When for more information). We will learn to create a bundle of square wire, bind them together with half round wire and shape the bundle to form a bracelet using a mandrel or found objects. We’ll use one of the hooks we learned to make in Loops, Links, & Hooks to finish the bracelet. This class is limited to eight students. Tools will be available for use.
June 4, 2022 2:00 – 5:00 pm
All levels are welcome, some wire working experience can be helpful but not required. (Ages 18 and up)
Class Fee: $75 Materials fee: $30 payable to the instructor
Instructor: Michele Stoffan
***This is session 4 of "Exploring Wire Wrapping- 6 classes to build your wire working skills". If you would like to register for the whole series of 6 classes click here for details and savings.
Mokume Gane: Wood Grain Pattern in Metal with visiting artist Eric Burris
Mokume Gane: Wood Grain Pattern in Metal Mokume Gane, or wood grain metal, is a traditional Japanese technique in which two or more different metals are meticulously cleaned, alternately stacked, compressed and heated to a high temperature. The result is the fusing of all layers into a solid block or billet. The billet can be made into sheet metal with a variety of patterns by repeatedly carving through layers and reducing the thickness. Ring stock can be made by twisting a thick piece to rearrange the layers and removing material to reveal a hidden pattern.
Participants will learn a low tech, low cost, but efficient method to make Mokume Gane-using a refractory brick mini furnace and soldering torch to fire the billet. Participants will start by making their own copper and sterling silver billet and finish with a seamless forged band ring. In between are several technical demonstrations, so beginning metals & jewelry skills are needed to be successful in this workshop. This 3 day workshop is limited to only eight students. Tools will be available for use, and consumable materials are included.
Friday, June 10 – Sunday, June 12 10:00 am – 6:00 pm each day
Basic metalsmithing skills and comfort with a torch is required. (Ages 18 & up)
Class Fee: $650
Materials Kit Fee: $130 payable to the instructor.* Includes the following:
- 6”x2” 22 gauge sterling silver,
- 6”x2” 20 gauge copper sheet
- 3”x.5” 24 gauge sterling sheet
- set of steel torque plates w/ hardware
- wood & brass cleaning jig
- cleaning blocks w/ scotch-brite pads
- 320 sandpaper
- lint free towels
- 2oz. fine pumice powder
Students are required to bring: safety glasses, ear protection, closed toe shoes (leather preferred), leather work gloves, notebook & pen/ pencil, ultra-fine pont sharpie marker.
Students will be given the opportunity to purchase the following items to fire Mokume Gane at home:
- Refractory brick mini furnace $70
- Steel Compression plates $30-50
- forging hammer $25
- forging tongs $30
Instructor: *visiting artist* Eric Burris
Please note our*visiting artist* registration policy for this workshop.
*Due to the volatility of the metals market, all material/ supply fees are subject to change. If there is a significant change of cost for materials or supplies, students will be notified in advance and are required to pay for the difference in cost when they arrive at the class or workshop.
Organic Scrap Metal Casting
Do you have old silver jewelry or scrap you want to recycle? Join us in this fun workshop learn how easy it is to transform your silver into beautiful and organic one-of-a-kind elements to add to your jewelry. Bring your own sterling silver scraps (or pre-order silver from the studio) and melt them to create unique design components. Using a crucible, a torch, and some household materials, we will create several organic components. Students will learn broom, water, bean and salt casting. Your favorite component may be made into a piece of jewelry as time allows, but you will have several components to take home. Students required to bring scrap silver, or may be preordered before class. All levels are welcome, and no metalworking experience is required.
Saturday, June 18 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Class Fee: $140
Materials Fee: $20 payable to the instructor (does not include scrap silver)
Instructor: Eva Sherman
Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing Weekend Intensive - June 2022
This introductory class is perfect for anyone who wants to learn, or refresh, the fundamental skills involved in making jewelry and metalsmithing. Working primarily in copper, nickel and brass, each student will be guided through the design and fabrication of a piece of jewelry or small metal object of their own design. Skills covered will include sawing, filing, forming, surface textures, soldering with a gas fueled torch, and bezel setting cabochons. This fun and interactive class will involve many demonstrations and lots of hands on work. This class is limited to eight students. Studio tools and equipment will be available for use.
Saturday, June 25 & Sunday, June 26 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
All levels are welcomed and no metalworking experience is required (ages 18 and up)
Class Fee: $250
Materials/Supplies: Basic materials of copper, brass, and nickel included. Silver, stones and additional materials available for purchase.
Instructor: Kim Baxter
Wire Wrapped Cabochons (Session 5 of Exploring Wire Wrapping- 6 classes to build your wire working skills)
Wire Wrapped Prong Settings (Session 6 of Exploring Wire Wrapping- 6 classes to build your wire working skills)
Budding Vine Ring
Create an embellished sterling silver ring with a unique organic pattern applique. Students will learn fusing, soldering, ring sizing and finishing. This class is limited to eight students. All tools and equipment are provided for use.
Saturday, July 16 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Previous soldering and metal working experience recommended, but adventurous beginners are welcome. (Ages 18 & up.)
Class Fee: $90
Materials Fee: $30 payable to the instructor
Instructor: Eva Sherman
Gallery Wire Embellished Ring Shanks
Use gallery wire as a design element by soldering it to a sterling silver base to create an elegant ring shank. The design possibilities are endless! Two rings may be created as time allows. Students will learn soldering, sweat soldering, ring sizing and finishing. This class is limited to eight students. All tools and equipment are provided for use.
Saturday, July 16 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Previous soldering and metal working experience recommended, but adventurous beginners are welcome. (Ages 18 & up.)
Class Fee: $90
Materials Fee: $35 payable to the instructor
Instructor: Eva Sherman
Stay the day and SAVE 10% on your class fees when you register for
- Budding Vine Ring Saturday, July 16, 2022: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Gallery Wire Embellished Ring Shanks Saturday, July 16, 2022: 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Previous soldering and metal working experience recommended, but adventurous beginners are welcome. (Ages 18 & up.)
Materials: Materials fees are payable to the instructor. Each session will include all the materials needed to complete each project.
Budding Vine Ring $30 + Gallery Wire Embellished Ring Shanks $35
Instructor: Eva Sherman
Faceted Stone Setting Theory and Applications: Round Stones with Kirk Lang
Faceted Stone Setting Theory and Applications: Fancy Stones with Kirk Lang
Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing Weekend Intensive - July 2022
This introductory class is perfect for anyone who wants to learn, or refresh, the fundamental skills involved in making jewelry and metalsmithing. Working primarily in copper, nickel and brass, each student will be guided through the design and fabrication of a piece of jewelry or small metal object of their own design. Skills covered will include sawing, filing, forming, surface textures, soldering with a gas fueled torch, and bezel setting cabochons. This fun and interactive class will involve many demonstrations and lots of hands on work. This class is limited to eight students. Studio tools and equipment will be available for use.
Saturday, July 30 & Sunday, July 31 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
All levels are welcomed and no metalworking experience is required (ages 18 and up)
Class Fee: $250
Materials/Supplies: Basic materials of copper, brass, and nickel included. Silver, stones and additional materials available for purchase.
Instructor: Kim Baxter
Friday Mentored Independent Study
According to the CDC COVID-19 County Check web page, levels of transmission for Lake County, Ohio and the surrounding counties are currently low. Wearing a mask in the studio is optional.
To protect all who are in our creative community, we are still cleaning all shared tools, equipment, furniture, etc. according to CDC and State of Ohio guidelines. We will also continue cleaning(s) of commonly used areas such as entries, exits, bathroom, front desk area and beyond. At the moment sneeze guards are still installed at the benches.
We are still encouraging students to do following:
- Washing hands upon entering the studio.
- Regular cleaning sanitizing of shared tools, equipment, and high touch areas will be done.
- Coffee & tea service is temporarily discontinued.
- Please bring only necessary tools and project supplies with you.
Flux Metal Arts is our creative home away from home. If you have a fever, are asymptomatic or sick with COVID, or showing other symptoms of COVID-19 (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea); or have been recently exposed to or are caring for a person who is ill or quarantined, please stay home. (We reserve the right to send you home if you appear to be symptomatic.)
As time passes, requirements may change. If we must cancel or reschedule a class, we will communicate important updates as need to students through email.
If you have any questions or concerns, we invite you communicate through our contact page.
