Yehuda Tassa
Top, silver broach with stone
Bottom, gold filigree earrings

openstudio workshops

Spider anodized niobium color bracelet

Spring 2010 Classes: March 23 – May 29, 2010

Enrollment starts February 23, 2010 - call 510 620-6772 to register.
Early Bird Discount. Register by Mar 12 and receive a 5% discount.

Scholarships available for teens taking adult classes.
Application deadline March 12.

DROP-IN POLICY: Per day drop-ins are allowed in some adult classes with the consent of the instructor or where noted in the description. Students may drop-in ONLY 3 times before they are required to purchase a half or full class (no other fractional classes allowed), unless otherwise noted.

Please Note: Jewelry course fees include a $10 lab fee, but do not include tools and materials, which vary by class.

= teens

beginning & intermediate jewelry   

Shelly Cournoyer
Learn basic jewelry-making skills by creating rings, earrings and pendants. We will explore traditional techniques: sawing, soldering, forming, texturing, finishing and stone setting. Students will purchase their own metal, materials and certain tools. All students must attend the first class.

Class SP1J • 8 Tue, Mar 23 – May 11, 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $150 • Nonmember $175

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special topics: chasing and repousse    

Shelly Cournoyer
Chasing and repousse is an ancient technique used to achieve both depth and dimension between the foreground and background of metal forms. Begin with shaping your own set of chasing tools that will be hardened and tempered. Use and test tools on basic samples and individual projects. Materials fee paid to instructor as projects proceed.

Class SP2J • 10 Tue, Mar 23 – May 25, 1 – 3:30 pm
RAC Member $190 • Nonmember $220

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evening jewelry all levels   

Peter Ostwald
Explore basic metalsmithing and jewelry processes. Students are introduced to the handsaw to cut metal, methods of joinery, soldering, forming, fabrication and various means of surface treatment. Work with copper, brass or sterling silver to create jewelry or other small forms. All students must be present on the first day of class. A materials fee of $45 payable to the instructor on first day of class covers the price of the metal and some tools to be used.

Class SP3J • 8 Tue, Mar 23 – May 11, 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $150 • Nonmember $175

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combination techniques
metalsmithing & casting    

Wendy McDermott
Turn sheet and wire metal into intriguing wearable art and learn metal casting basics. Explore, experiment or continue ongoing projects. Basic fabrication techniques covered through a series of progressively challenging projects. Experienced students will be supported in their goals and individual help provided on as needed basis. Those with casting experience are welcome to pursue individual projects as fits RAC’s equipment. Demonstrations & hands-on assistance. $15 materials fee due to instructor. Copper and brass available for purchase. Other materials and metal are provided by the student.

Class SP4J • 8 Wed, Mar 24 – May 12, 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $150 • Nonmember $175

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enameling   

Edward Lay
Enameling is the process of fusing glass to metal. It has a long and rich history, from the ancient Egyptians through Lalique and Faberge to the recent explosion of techniques from modern masters. We will cover the basics: preparing the metal, applying the enamel, various types of patterning, firing and finishing. We will explore advanced topics based on class interest. $15 materials fee due to instructor.

Class SP5J • 9 Wed, Mar 24 – May 19, 1 – 3:30 pm
RAC Member $170 • Nonmember $195

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jewelry, stone setting & lapidary    

Ed Lay
This class will emphasize traditional assembly techniques and design. Students will explore lapidary, the process of transforming a rough stone into a finished gemstone, and will fabricate traditional jewelry using small side-stones. We will cover wire, tube and prong mounting, diamond setting, pavé and stone cutting. Prerequisite: basic fabricating skills (soldering, filing, shaping of metal and metal finishing).

Class SP6J • 10 Thu, Mar 25 – May 27, 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $190 • Nonmember $220

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copper & bronze PMC     

Hope Weiner
Learn to use copper, bronze and silver clay in a single piece of jewelry. You will make two types of pieces: one combines copper and silver clay, and another combines copper and bronze clay. Learn draping, overlay, inlay of copper in bronze and bronze in copper, wraparound, and hot riveting techniques and more. Emphasis on post-firing finishing techniques, how to achieve a smooth matte finish as well as the appearance of married metals. Tool kit will be discussed at first meeting. $60 materials fee payable to instructor. PMC experience required.

Class SP7J • 6 Thu, Mar 25 – Apr 29, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
RAC Member $135 • Nonmember $155

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drop-in jewelry studio    

Edward Lay
Want to make jewelry but can’t commit to enrolling in a class? Need to brush up on your jewelry making skills? Are you a beginning or intermediate student who wants to learn new techniques? Then this drop-in class is for you. There is no maximum number of day drop-ins for this class.

Class SP8J • 7 Sat, Mar 27 – May 22, 10 am – 12:30 pm
(no class 4/24 & 5/15)
RAC Member $130 • Nonmember $150
Day drop-in fee: RAC Member or Nonmember $25

metals supervised open studio

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Students who have completed at least one jewelry class at the Richmond Art Center and are currently enrolled in classes SP1J – SP8J (day drop-in students excluded) are entitled to 3 hours of additional studio time each week during scheduled Supervised Open Studio hours. Students may use the studio only when safety supervision is provided and must sign in upon arrival at the studio.

Thu, Mar 25 – May 27, 12:30 – 3:30 pm

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metals studio workshops

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yemenite filigree    

Yehuda Tassa
Filigree is the delicate decorative open work made from thin twisted metal wire. Yemenite filigree art is considered one of the oldest in the world. Learn the art of Yemenite filigree from a master in the field. Students learn all aspects of the process: building the structure, wire preparation, forming, inserting into a frame, soldering and finishing. Work in silver and make earrings or a lattice pendant. Apply techniques to other metals including gold. Additional topics: hinges and clasps. Samples of Yemenite filigree will be shown and traditional symbol meanings discussed. Printed notes will be provided in the workshop. Purchase materials (metal, specific tweezers and stones) from instructor day of workshop. Bring a jeweler’s saw along with a small and medium file. Beginners welcome. Limit 12 students. www.sabrajewelrydesign.com

Class SP1JW • Sat & Sun, Apr 24 & 25, 10 am – 4 pm
RAC Member $185 • Nonmember $210

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niobium – color chain   

Spider
Niobium is an eye catcher. Learn the tricks of working with niobium and making fades work correctly, how to plan color patterns and gradual fades with anodized niobium rings. Incorporate niobium rings into your chain maille creations. Make either a Byzantine or full Persian bracelet showcasing color in design. Jewelry and chain experience required but beginners are welcome if prepared to work hard. Bring pliers, plus recent chain maille projects. Materials fee due to instructor: $50 – $150 depending upon design. www.spiderchain.com

Class SP2JW • Sat & Sun • May 15 & 16, 10 am – 4:30 pm
RAC Member $145 • Nonmember $165

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