Sept 26th - Oct 10th 2024 : Jewelry Making Introductory Course (afternoon)

3 WEEK CLASS, MEETING ONCE WEEKLY 
*all classes meet at Katie's jewelry studio in Greenville, South Carolina
*shorter condensed 3 week class with 4 hour meeting times
*same overall instruction time as 4 week courses that meet for 3 hours

THURSDAYS 1-5 PM
Sept 26th, Oct 3rd, Oct 10th (2024)

Bezel Set Gemstone Double Band Ring 
During this multi-week jewelry making class, students will learn the basics of silversmithing and will each make their own bezel set ring with textured band.  Techniques covered will include: 

• Textured metal finishes and mark-making on metal: students will practice hammer and stamp texturing across both projects, and Katie will demonstrate creating twisted wire from stock (two ways!).  Students can choose from a variety of textures for their bands.
• Sawing:  students will become familiar with piercing (cutting) using the jeweler's saw and drilling with a flexible shaft
• Basic Soldering:  students will learn how to solder a ring in three parts, utilizing all 3 basic silver soldering temperatures, and will get an introduction to soldering strategies
• Basic Bezel Setting:  students will learn to bezel set a stone of their choosing using wire bezel.  
• Accuracy in Ring Sizing:  students will learn to make bands that fit exact ring sizes.

Students may work in copper and/or brass, but are encouraged to work in sterling silver as it's the best choice for rings for wearability reasons. 

The class fee includes instruction only.  Cost of silver and gemstones is additional.  Sterling is sold to each student individually and the cost is weight based, so each student's fee is different depending on how much silver their projects utilize.  Typical costs for a student average around $20-$60 per class, but can increase if students prefer to work large or select a particularly expensive gemstone.   
A selection of inexpensive semi-precious cabochon stones will be offered for students to choose from during class (moonstone, amethyst, labrodorite, tourmilated quartz, carnelian, etc).  

*students are welcome to bring their own stone for setting if they'd like, but it must be a cabochon and it must not have points (round or oval are best).  Katie doesn't recommend anything extremely large or extremely small for beginners.   
*Intermediate students who have made bezels before may elect to try stones with points!

Prerequisite: None! This class is designed for those without prior experience.
After completing this level one course, students can continue level one courses with different topics, or may be ready to move to level two (depending on the course).  

*Intermediate students welcome -- Katie can guide you to more challenging projects.  

Workshop Cancellation Policy:

Student Cancellation:
Due to the small class sizes and demand for each seat, if you are unable to attend a class for any reason, please notify Katie as soon as possible to allow another student to register for the class. 

Please note, we cannot offer refunds for student cancellations, but we can offer credit to be applied toward a future workshop based on the time frame in which you have notified us of your cancellation.

• Please notify us at least 72 hours prior to the workshop date and time for full credit towards another workshop.
• Less than 72 hours notice from class date and time, you will receive a 50% credit towards another workshop.
• If cancelled within 24 hours of workshop or if you are a no-show to class, we cannot offer any refund or class credit.  

*While extenuating circumstances happen from time to time and will be overlooked -- Katie reserves the right to unenroll and/or prevent future enrollments from any student that exhibits repeated cancellations.  Students who habitually enroll and then cancel, particularly at the last minute, may not be allowed to enroll in future classes, as this creates scheduling problems for everyone and often results in total cancellation of a class.  


Low-Enrollment Cancellation:
Workshop cancellations are decided three days before the start date. In the rare event that Katie must cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment, currently enrolled students will have the option to have the entire class fee refunded or held as credit for future workshops.

Age limitation:
This class is appropriate for students aged 16+, however students aged 9-16 may be permitted if a parent is also taking the class.