silver, glass & jewelry
Sterling Silver and Copper Earrings with Sandy Thompson
Date: Friday, October 30, 2009
Class 1
Time: 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Class 2
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: October 16, 2009
A woman can never have enough earrings to match the occasion and mood of the day! You can add to your collection by creating your own earrings. No experience needed! You will learn many new techniques, including forming, cutting and closing jump rings, texturing metal (the “hammered” look is popular), wire wrapping, and the use of a dapping block and a cutting die. Emphasis will be on completing 4 different pairs of earrings using silver and copper and an introduction to accomplishing well-finished results. With these processes, you will be able to create unique combinations of shapes, and time permitting, a creation of your own design. Come and have fun...and you will leave with unique styles of earrings to wear or to give as gifts (Christmas is coming...). No previous experience needed.
Tuition: member $50 non-member $65
Supplies: $40-45 depending on silver prices
Click here to register.
Read Sandy Thompson's bio.
Sterling Silver Chain-link Bracelet in Columbus Pattern with Sandy Thompson
CLASS FULL
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: October 16, 2009
Add to your chain-making repertoire with this classic COLUMBUS pattern. It is exceptionally comfortable, as well as a beautiful bracelet, and you will find you will wear it with dress or casual wear. Sandy has developed a new technique that makes this difficult pattern easy to follow and you complete it in the course of a day. Wear it home and get compliments galore! This class requires the basic chain-making class or previous chain-making experience.
Tuition: member $60 non-member $75
Supplies: approximately $35-40 depending on silver prices
Click here to register.
Read Sandy Thompson's bio.
Silversmithing, beginning with Tom Johnson
Date:
Class 1: Friday through Sunday May 7, 8 & 9
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Class 2: Friday through Sunday May 14, 15 & 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: May 1
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.
Click here to register.
Read Tom Johnson's bio.
Silversmithing, advanced with Tom Johnson
CLASS FULL
Date: Friday through Sunday
May 21, 22, & 23
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: May 1
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.
Click here to register.
Read Tom Johnson's bio.
Making Silver Bracelets with Tom Johnson
CLASS FULL
Date:
Class 1: Thursday, May 13
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Class 2: Monday, May 17
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Registration deadline: May 1
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.
Click here to register.
Read Tom Johnson's bio.
Norwegian Silver Spoon with Gene Tokheim
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday,
January 15, 16, & 17
Time: Friday & Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: January 1
Starting with sheet silver and silver wire, students will raise, form, cut, twist and solder to end up with two or three lovely Norwegian sugar or demitasse spoons of different shape and design. Silver spoons play a part in weddings, confirmations and other special occasions in Norwegian tradition and whether Norwegian or not, these spoons are a treasure to have and to have made.
Tuition: member $160 non-member $175
Supplies: $110 depending on silver prices
For questions, please call Gene Tokheim at 320-769-2142.
Click here to register.
Read Gene Tokheim's bio.
Saami Friendship Bracelet with Liz Bucheit
Date: Friday, May 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: May 14
Envision the harsh but beautiful landscape of northern Scandinavia above the Arctic circle, the land of the midnight sun and the northern lights. This is the home of the Saami, a nomadic group that follow the migration of the reindeer. Students will use traditional materials used by the Saami incorporating coiled metal thread, leather, and horn to create a unique bracelet.
Tuition: member $125 non-member $140
Supplies: $95
Click here to register.
Read Liz Bucheit's bio.
Thor’s Velvet Hammer – An Introduction to Anticlastic Raising with Liz Bucheit & Michael Seiler
Date: Saturday & Sunday, May 29 & 30
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: May 14
Experience the softer side of Molnar the Hammer in this ‘hammer song’ of a class! Students will
learn the fine points of forging a sensuous cuff style bracelet worthy of Freya’s wrist. “Anticlastic Raising is a technique of metal forming whereby sheet metal is formed directly with a hammer on a sinusoidal (snake-like) stake. A flat sheet of metal is shaped by compressing its edges and stretching the center so that the surface develops two curves at right angles to each other.” Ancient Scandinavian goldsmiths actually used deer antlers as forms for creating beautiful Viking “ribbon” torque necklaces.
Techniques will include cutting, annealing, anticlastic forging and polishing. Previous metalworking experience is recommended. All tools and materials will be provided.
Tuition: member $185 non-member $200
Supplies: $95
Click here to register.
Read Liz Bucheit's bio.
Read Michael Seiler's bio.
Introduction to Lampworking (glassblowing) with Dan Neff
Date:
Class 1: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Registration deadline: October 9
Class 2: Saturday, April 3
Registration deadline: March 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lampworking is a form of glassblowing utilizing a torch to melt the glass. This class is designed for those who are curious about lampworking. The class will focus on borosilicate glass, which has a higher melting point than regular window glass. Students will learn a brief history of glassblowing, safety issues, tool and equipment use and beginner techniques that will allow students to leave the class with small projects such as beads, icicles and marbles. Highly detailed demonstrations and explanations will be given as well as individual attention to troubleshooting. Glassblowing has remained secretive for centuries. This is your chance to experience first hand the art of glassblowing.
Dan will offer extra classes on Sunday for students who wish to practice more.
Tuition: member $80 non-member $95
Supplies: $25
Click here to register.
Read Dan Neff's bio.
Precious Metal Clay (PMC): A New Art Medium with Kim Bakken-Parr, PMC Certified
Date: Saturday and Sunday, January 9 & 10
Time: Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1
Learn the basics of working with precious Precious Metal Clay and how easy it is to design and create beautiful fine silver earrings, pendants and even how to set stones with this new art medium. Bring ideas for your original creations. PMC is silver particles in an organic binder, which after being fired in a kiln is 99.9% pure silver. If you can work with Play Doh, you can do this!
Age/level: Adults, teens, beginners and beyond
Tuition: member $90 non-members $105
Supplies: $40
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr's bio.
Fused Glass & Fine Silver with Lee Parr & Kim Bakken-Parr
Date: Saturday & Sunday, Feb 27 & 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration deadline: February 12
Learn how to fuse glass and make beautiful cabachons (this term refers to the shape of the polished stone: it has a flat back and a polished domed top) to set into Precious Metal Clay. What is COE? How important is it when fusing glass? What is frit? This is just some of the information you will learn while you create one of a kind glass cabachons. On the first day of class, students will create glass pieces. Design and create pieces of jewelry incorporating the cabachon and then polish and patina the pieces on the second day.
Tuition: member $120 non-member $135
Supplies: $50
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr's bio.