silver & metals
Sterling Silver Tiffany Bracelet with Sandy Thompson
Level: Previous chain making experience suggested
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration deadline: October 8, 2011
Location: Milan Village Arts School
This chain link bracelet was alleged to have been worn by Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's and was thus named. It is one of my favorite bracelets as it is very striking and never fails to attract attention. Made with a larger gauge and both round and half round sterling wire, it goes together quite easily and can be completed in one session. Be prepared to receive rave reviews when worn, and you can say "I made it myself!"
Tuition: member $75 non-member $90?
Supplies: Equipment use and silver materials:
$90 depending on silver prices. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Sandy Thompson's bio.
Copper, Copper, Copper: Earrings and Pendant with Sandy Thompson
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Friday, October 14, 2011
Class 1
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Class 2
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: October 8, 2011
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Learn the technique of Metal Form Folding to create unique copper jewelry pieces in various shapes, using hammers and a vise. Also optional is the use of the acetylene torch to further color the copper to your desired end result. You will make various pairs of earrings with this technique and also with the use of the roller mill for textured earrings in copper. Earrings will be completed with Sterling silver ear wires. A small or larger copper pendant (you choose) will be the final piece of the class with a sealant used to prevent further oxidation. For students who like free form shapes of jewelry and appreciate the beauty and malleability of copper, this class will be especially exciting for you!
Tuition: member $50 non-member $65
Supplies: $40. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Sandy Thompson's bio.
Silversmithing: Beginning with Tom Johnson
Level: Beginner
Date: Friday through Sunday
Class 1: May 4, 5 & 6, 2012
Class 2: May 11, 12 & 13, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: May 1, 2012
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Beginning silversmith students will learn how to make a ring and bracelet, set stones, design and make a pin, and other basic silver working skills. Each student will learn to solder, twist silver, and use various polishing devices and techniques that will produce professional looking jewelry. Tom has an ample supply of materials, including semi-precious stones and you will get lots of support to complete your projects.
Tuition: member $150 non-member $165
Supplies: Based on supplies used. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Tom Johnson's bio.
Silversmithing: Advanced with Tom Johnson
Level: Either Silversmithing: Beginning class or prior silversmithing experience needed
Dates: Friday through Sunday, May 25, 26 & 27, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: May 1, 2012
Location: Milan Village Arts School
This is a course designed for anyone who has taken Tom's beginning class or who has already been introduced to the basics of silversmithing. In this class, students will experiment with inlay work, different techniques of chain weaving, and other projects according to interest and time. Take your silversmithing to the next level!
Tuition: member $150 non-member $165
Supplies: Based on supplies used. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Tom Johnson's bio.
Making Silver Bracelets with Tom Johnson
Level: Beginner and above
Class 1: Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Class 2: Date: Monday, May 14, 2012
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Registration deadline: May 1, 2012
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Making bracelets is a perfect place for the novice silversmith to begin. Always popular and fun, these sterling bracelets are very attractive and Tom will offer several styles for you to learn. You will leave with a bracelet for yourself and bracelets for gifts as well. We predict this will be only the beginning and you will be back for more silver classes! Sign up early, as this class will fill quickly.
Tuition: member $50 non-member $65
Supplies: Based on supplies used. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Tom Johnson's bio.
Bronze Clay Boot Camp with Kim Bakken-Parr, PMC Certified
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Saturday, January 7 & 8, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2012
Location: Milan Village Arts school
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to make great bronze creations! We will start by reviewing the tear-away technique for those individuals who were not able to make it to the class on September 24. Also, if you have some original black and white designs created by you, your kids or grandkids, bring them to class. Everyone will make their own texture plates to use.
In the afternoon we will start working with bronze clay, learning the similarities and differences between it and silver clay. Bronze clay can be rolled, cut, shaped, molded, textured, sculpted or even carved. When fired at high temperatures you can create pure bronze jewelry and even small scuptural art pieces.
Learn how to join bronze links into a chain and then fire. You could also make a small bowl or piece of hollow sculpture. Since bronze is considerably less than silver it gives you the freedom to create larger pieces.
Day two students have the option to incorporate copper clay with the bronze clay. Pieces will be fired both days of class.
Tuition:* member $120 non-member $135
Supplies: $50. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
*Students who take both the Precious Metal Clay (PMC): Beginning & Beyond and PMC Organic classes will get a $20 discount.
member: $160 non-member: $175
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr's bio.
Precious Metal Clay (PMC): Beginning and Beyond with Kim Bakken-Parr, PMC Certified
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 14, 2012
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Learn the basics of working with Precious Metal Clay to design and create beautiful jewelry. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Corporation, Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is composed of fine silver particles, water and an organic binder. It comes in clay, paste, syringe and paper forms. There is also 24K gold PMC.
Working with PMC is like working with sticky playdough. The clay can be rolled, shaped, textured, carved, and painted on. The possibilities are endless. After being dried and kiln- or torch-fired, the result will be an object that is 99.9% pure silver.
The different types of PMC are PMC Standard, PMC+ and PMC3 each varying on the size of the silver particles. Factors that will also change based on the particle size is the shrinkage of clay, firing times and temperatures, and if you can put different inclusions like glass and gems into the piece.
Tuition:* member $90 non-member $105
Supplies: $50. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
*Students who take both the Precious Metal Clay (PMC): Beginning & Beyond and PMC Organic classes will get a $20 discount.
member: $160 non-member: $175
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr's bio.
PMC Organic: Beginning with Kim Bakken-Parr, PMC Certified
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 14, 2012
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Use organic materials, such as leaves from your favorite trees shrubs or plants, a twig, pod or seeds, and turn them into beautiful jewelry. Working with Precious Metal Clay, which is a soft, moldable clay, made up of silver suspended in a binding medium, you design and create earrings and/or charms, pendants or pins. After drying and kiln firing, the pieces are polished. A patina can be applied, if you like. No hammering is needed to create pieces of 99.9% pure silver. No previous experience is required.
Tuition:* member $90 non-member $105
Supplies: $50. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
*Students who take both the Precious Metal Clay (PMC): Beginning & Beyond and PMC Organic classes will get a $20 discount.
member: $160 non-member: $175
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr's bio.
Introduction to Blacksmith Arts with Gene Sandau
Class to be held in Madison, MN
Date & Time: To be determined by student and instructor.
The art of blacksmithing includes many methods of forming iron into art, including electric or gas welding, drilling, grinding, riveting, use of a coal forge, anvil, hammers, chisels, punches, handmade tools and other equipment. Considering all these elements, interested persons should call Gene for details and to choose which skills they would like to learn. Students are encouraged to have a project in mind that they would like to do in class and take home. Classes are not gender biased. A parent or guardian must accompany students under 18. Gene believes that "the equipment and tools are not dangerous, the misuse of them is." Nevertheless, safety measures and equipment handling will be closely monitored. Please call Gene if you have any questions.
Tuition: $200 for a one student or $300 for two on same day. Deposit: $100 or $150
Supplies: Students need cotton or leather gloves, high top shoes or boots, cotton work clothes and eye and ear protection.
For questions, please call Gene Sandau at 320-598-7858. Please send your deposit and registration to: Gene Sandau, 308 11th Street West, Madison, MN 56256
Click here to register.
Read Gene Sandau's bio.
Silver Studio
Are you a silversmith? Have you taken one of our silver classes and want to further develop your skills and explore your creativity?
The Milan Village Arts School Silver Studio is up and running. During 2011, students have been gathering on the third Tuesday of the month from 6 - 10 p.m. to network, exchange ideas, and make silver jewelry. Over the last 12 months, the school has been busy purchasing much of the basic equipment the studio requires. In the coming months we will continue to upgrade equipment and improve the facilities based on student feedback. In the not-too-distant future, it is our hope to have a fully functional silver studio that caters to the needs of all our students.
The Silver Studio is open to students who have taken one of our silver classes or can show similar experience. Traditional silversmiths, precious metal clay artists, silver wire wrappers and jewelry makers are all welcome. A facilitator is on hand to assist and help the evening run smoothly.
Participants need to be a current member of the arts school. A nominal fee is charged to cover the costs of the evening, including the facilitator, acetylene and materials. Students are responsible for their own silver supplies.
For more information, please contact the school.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council (SMAHC) and is funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.