Jewelry Classes - September 2009
Learn something new this year...
This is a six-week course - Beginners, Wax Carving, Casting, and Model Making classes.
Learn in a small group with experienced jewelers. Discount on supplies for our students. We also have a drawing on the last night for a free Jewelers Bench and a gift certificate. Limited number of spaces available, so sign up early.
Course I Beginners
Course designed to provide the beginner with basic jewelry skills. Students become comfortable with hand tools and the studio equipment and have the option to work in silver or gold. Beginners will focus on:
- The proper uses of hand tools, findings, supplies and the jeweler's bench
- Torch systems, different types of flames and their uses, and soldering techniques
- Sawing, drilling and filing
- Application of various surface textures
- Jewelry cleaning, including polishing, buffing, lapping and use of different compounds
- Important safety skills and considerations
Open to all beginners and professionals, for more info contact James Burick at 301-588-7296.
Course II: Intermediate I
Class focusing on ring sizing and gemstone setting. Completion of class prepares students to assume duties and responsibilities in the jewelry business.
Students learn:
- Ring sizing, including sizing up & down, ring stretching & shrinking, replacing half shanks
- Intermediate setting methods with a round gemstone including prong, bead, bezel and bar setting
- Chain soldering
- Sterling silver and synthetic gemstones are supplied for the class project, which students may take home
Open to all beginners and professionals, for more info contact James Burick at 301-588-7296.
Course III: Intermediate II
Class focusing on advanced gemstone setting and learning the art of fine repair and restoration. Completion of class prepares students to assume advanced responsibilities in the jewelry business.
Students learn:
- Setting different gemstone shapes such as marquise, oval, princess, pear and baguette
- Advanced setting techniques including channel, gypsy and introduction to pave
- Take the 3-stone head challenge
- Retipping and replacing prongs
- Fabrication and repair of hinges
- Electroplating techniques
- Sterling silver and synthetic gemstones are supplied for the class project. Students may choose 1 of their class projects to take home.
Open to all beginners and professionals, for more info contact James Burick at 301-588-7296.
Course IV: Wax Casting and Mold Making
Course designed for beginners and professionals who wish to expand their services in custom jewelry making and jewelry reproduction. Students create pieces of jewelry in wax and reproduce them in lost wax castings. Castings can be done in silver and gold.
Study focuses on:
- Wax carving tools & waxes and their applications
- How to make rubber molds and methods of wax injection
- Wax spruing, plaster investing and wax burnout procedures
- The history of casting
- Different melting and flowing points of metal and their various molten characteristics
- Vacuum and centrifugal casting
- Methods of cleaning up rough castings
Open to all beginners and professionals, for more info contact James Burick at 301-588-7296.