Wire Wrapping Cabochons: June 7 from 2:00-5:00

In this class, you will learn how to create a copper (or sterling silver*) wire-wrapped pendant, using square and half-round wires. This class is perfect for beginner students or students who have minimal wire wrapping experience. We will discuss the basic tools and materials used to create wire jewelry. This design can be adapted to many different styles of cabochons and offers a great foundation to launch your creativity!

At the end of class, you will have created 1 pendant with a cabochon and copper (or sterling silver*) wire. There is an option for you to bring your own sterling silver wire, see materials details below.

We will cover:

• Stone selection
• Wire selection
• Tool selection
• Elements of design
• Basics of wire wrapping

Details:

• Saturday, June 7 from 2:00-5:00
• 3 contact hours, ages 13+ located at the Silver Peak Gallery Classroom 100 E. Cleveland, Lafayette 80026
• # students: 3 minimum, 6 maximum
• Tools are provided
• Materials kit fee is $15 and includes enough copper wire for 1 pendant. 
• *If you wish to use sterling silver, you should order the following at least 2 weeks in advance: 7 feet of 20 gauge half-hard square wire and 4 feet of 20 gauge half-hard half-round wire.) 
• Cabochons will be for sale for an additional $15 each (starting price). If you wish to bring your own cabochons, ovals tend to work best for beginners, but rectangles and teardrops could also work. Preferably 20-25mm or larger. Smaller and asymmetrical shapes are often much harder for beginners.  Materials fee is payable at the beginning of class to instructor via cash, check, or Venmo
• Prerequisite: none

The last day to cancel your registration for a refund or transfer ($25 transfer fee applies) is April 20, 2025.

By registering for a class at Silver Peak Studio, you agree to our cancellation policy, dress code for class, and studio rules.

Instructor: Michael Neff

Michael started his journey with metal smithing in middle school when he was gifted a jeweler’s saw. This was after being inspired by the precision of a jeweler he met that was doing saw piercing work and removing the background in coins. In 2010 he took a jewelry class at New Vista High School and learned basic soldering, stone setting and wire wrapping. While doing a glass blowing apprenticeship in 2012 he became enamored with wire wrapping and started studying wire wrapping techniques and the work of other wire wrappers and jewelers. The endless possibilities with different techniques, settings, flows and styles created a passion for the art form and pulled Michael in the world of jewelry, crystals and gems. 

His pursuit of metal smithing led him to take classes at the Denver School of Metal Arts, BOMA, online pavé classes through JIA, and online engraving classes through Sam Alfano. Michael started working as a bench jeweler at Anspach’s Jewelry in 2023 and has had the opportunity to learn more about jewelry repair, stone setting, fabrication and custom work. 

Since 2012 Michael has been making jewelry regularly and working with clients to create custom pieces as well as his own designs. Nature, geometry, balance and harmony have always been a large source of inspiration in his work. He is the owner of Michael J Neff Designs LLC and his work can seen on Facebook and Instagram through @michaelneffart