Name: Beginning Metalsmithing (Metals 1 and 2): August 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:00-2:00
Brand: Silver Peak Jewelry Arts
Price: 375.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Enter the world of metalsmithing gemstone jewelry with this metalsmithing workshop in stone setting in our professional metalsmithing jewelry school in Lafayette, CO! This combined Metals 1 and 2 class will teach you the fundamentals in silversmithing. At the end of the 4-week session, you will have a completed a sterling silver ring with a custom bezel setting for your cabochon (polished stone with a flat bottom).

We will cover:

Studio safety and ergonomics
Sawing techniques
Hammer texturing and stamping
Filing and sanding
Ring sizing
Basics of soldering
Texturing metal with a rolling mill and hammers
How to use a flex-shaft
How to create a comfort-fit ring
Polishing
Bezel sizing and fitting
Bezel soldering
Soldering settings to a ring
Stone setting in a custom bezel
Patina options and finish work

Details:

4 Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 10:00-2:00. You must be able to attend both sessions as no makeups will be given.
8 contact hours, ages 14+ at Silver Peak Jewelry Arts 100 E. Cleveland St. Lafayette 80026
# students: 3 minimum, 6 maximum
Materials kit fee is $30 + silver used for stone setting which will be weighed at $4/gram. You may also bring your own round or oval cabochon (Polished stone with a flat bottom) and we will have ones for sale (starting at $20). Materials fee will be due by the end of class via cash, check, or Venmo.
Each student will work at their own dedicated jeweler's bench.
Prerequisite: none

The last day to cancel your class registration for a refund or transfer ($25 admin fee applies) is July 21, 2026.

By registering for this workshop, you agree to our cancellation policy, dress code, and studio rules.

About the instructor, John Sullivan

With a BFA in Metals and Jewelry from CSU-Fort Collins and a MFA in Metalsmithing from SUNY-New Paltz, John was most recently an Affiliate Instructor of Metalsmithing and Jewelry and a Studio Technician at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado. John serves on the board of directors of the Colorado Metalsmithing Association.

While studying at CSU, he was an apprentice to artist Ira Sherman and an assistant to artist Nilda Getty. John has been a guest speaker and given demonstrations at events hosted by the Colorado Metalsmithing Association. As an educator, John has taught as a substitute art teacher at the private institute Kent, Denver, and as a Teaching Assistant at SUNY New Paltz, teaching Basic Metal in both a traditional setting, online, and hybrid classroom. After receiving his Masters, John taught Metalsmithing and Jewelry for the Highschool Summer Sessions at Snowfarm, The New England Craft Program.

John has exhibited work at several national and international venues, as well as having been published in numerous domestic and foreign publications.