2024 Metals & Jewelry Workshops

Workshop enrollment happens on a first-come, first-served basis. Many fill to capacity quickly and have waitlists months in advance. It’s best to register as early as possible – don’t delay! Registrations for onsite workshops should be made no later than 15 days ahead of the workshop start date so that we can include you when we’re making workshop determinations, ordering materials, etc. Touchstone’s onsite workshop determinations (running vs cancelling) are made 14 days in advance of their scheduled start dates, primarily based on the number of participants registered at that time.

  • A processing fee of $25 will be added to 2-5 day onsite workshops.
  • All workshop participants must be at least 18 years of age, unless otherwise noted.
  • Remember: Materials and studio fees are separate from tuition fees and are to be paid in full once finalized (typically two weeks prior to the workshop).

To view a full listing of the Terms and Conditions as part of your enrollment, download the 2024 Participant Guide. Please review our updated Health & Safety Guidelines* and Cancellation Policy* prior to registering for any workshop.

 

*Subject to change based on health regulations and best practices. Registered participants will be notified if changes are made.

HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS (AGES 14 AND OLDER): JUN 8TH & AUG 25TH

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at working in a craft medium? In these exciting half-day (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) workshops for ages 14 and older, you will learn new techniques and processes while creating hands-on projects in the medium of your choosing. Projects vary and may utilize different materials and techniques per session/instructor.

 

Projects examples may include:

  • Blacksmithing – forged steel hooks, leaves, or bottle openers
  • Ceramics* – wheel thrown (June 8) or handbuilt (August 25) clay mugs, tiles, or small sculptures
  • Glass* – marbles, beads, or small objects/sculptures created with flameworking/fused glass techniques (not glass blowing)
  • Metals & Jewelry – making metal rings, pendants, or keychains
  • Painting & Drawing – sketching/drawing using colored pencils or different paints for still lifes, portraits, or scenery

*Some projects in ceramics or glass may require that you pick your items up at a later date due to the need for kiln firing.

JUN 8 | SATURDAY (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Try It!

All Levels - No Experience Needed! (Ages 14+)
$140 Tuition Plus $10 Nonrefundable Processing Fee
Materials Fees Included

REGISTER NOW

AUG 25 | SUNDAY (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Try It!

All Levels - No Experience Needed! (Ages 14+)
$140 Tuition Plus $10 Nonrefundable Processing Fee
Materials Fees Included

REGISTER NOW

Dress appropriately as you will likely get messy! We recommend all participants wear closed-toe shoes, restrain long hair, and avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling jewelry. If you try Blacksmithing or glass, wear cotton or denim clothing (avoid cuffs) and closed-toe shoes are required (no flip-flops or sandals). We will provide safety glasses and ear plugs where necessary.

 

Please check in at Blaney Lodge between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Workshops begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. within their designated studios.

5 DAY WORKSHOPS: JUN 10-14 THROUGH AUG 19-23

JUN 10-14 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Jewelry & Small Sculpture with Repurposed Materials
Instructor: Jan Loney

*Pre-approved for Act 48 Credit by PAEA

All Levels
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$20-$70 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Find inspiration and hone your creative problem solving skills as we take repurposed materials to new heights in wearable jewelry and small sculpture. You will learn basic metalsmithing skills and create pieces that express your unique style and include a variety of found objects and materials. Ordinary and mundane items will be transformed as we work to create one-of-a-kind pieces to adorn your body and home.

JUN 17-21 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Caution: Moving Parts
Instructor: Adam Atkinson

All Levels
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$60-$120 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Learn the basics and beyond to create beautiful mechanisms in your work. Mechanical connections and movable parts make jewelry wearable and functional, but in this workshop, you'll also learn how to add a little flair to your designs. Pin mechanisms for brooches, necklace findings, basic hollow forms, and hinges will be covered. Participants will leave with a series of small samples and finished work using the demonstrated techniques. Experience with basic soldering is helpful, but not required.

JUN 24-28 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Mokume Gane Boxes: Patterning to Patinas
Instructor: Anne Wolf

No Experience-Intermediate
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$175-$225 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Mokume gane is an ancient Japanese technique that uses fused layers of different metals to form organic patterns. Starting with pre-fused mokume gane billets, participants will dive into the versatile metamorphic method of patterning, creating multiple samples. Participants will then fabricate their uniquely patterned sheet into soldered hollow-form boxes. Skills covered include patterning mokume gane, box design, forging, texturing, fabrication, soldering with precise temperature control, finishing and patination. Multiple box design ideas will be shown, with options for different levels of experience.

JUL 8-12 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
5 Verbs Over 5 Days
Instructor: Maya Kini

*Pre-approved for Act 48 Credit by PAEA

No Experience-Beginner
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$175-$225 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

In this workshop, we will use language as our guiding principle to object making. Hammer, link, rivet, print, form will be our prompts as we dive into surface techniques in metal. Participants can expect to investigate materials and create samples that will inform more resolved pieces. Our emphasis will be on drawing connections through daily writing prompts and freeing our hands to discover new ways of making surfaces.

JUL 14-19 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) | TEEN WEEK
Jewelry Jamboree
Instructor: Erika Broas

All Levels (Ages 14-17)
$750 Tuition
$100 Materials and Studio Fees

APPLY TODAY

 

The deadline for submitting applications is April 15th. Notifications will go out by May 1st.

 

Make your own jewelry and mini sculptures in this intro to metalsmithing workshop! We’ll focus on building strong foundations in jewelry and metalsmithing techniques, whilst taking lots of inspiration from the incredible land around Touchstone. You’ll learn skills such as wire wrapping, sawing, piercing, chain making, soldering, texturing metal, and incorporating alternative materials from our natural surroundings like wood, seeds, stones and flowers. Lean into your own personal style and voice, creating unique wearable pieces and sculptures that couldn’t be made by anyone else! Participants are encouraged to bring their own foraged finds from home, otherwise we’ll collect trinkets from outside to use along with provided materials.

JUL 22-26 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Crafting Color: Powder Coat for Jewelry & Metalwork
Instructor: Laritza Garcia

All Levels
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$100-$150 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Explore powder coating, an electrostatic pigment powder application process, and discover its possibilities in creating your jewelry and metalwork. We will experiment and discuss equipment. Bring your own pieces for a splash of color and texture. Suitable metals include silver, copper, steel, brass, nickel, aluminum, and more. Bring as many metal items as you'd like (up to 6" x 7" x 10" in size) to maximize the creative possibilities. You'll have access to a range of colors and finishes to make your pieces truly stand out.

JUL 29-AUG 2 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) NATURE WEEK
Exploring the Basics of Experimental Metal Weaving
Instructor: Aminata Conteh

No Experience-Beginner
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$140-$190 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Explore the basics of various weaving and basketry techniques using metal materials such as copper, nickel, steel, and silver. Participants will create a series of small woven technicals, with the week’s efforts culminating in a final project that will take the form of an object, adornment, or a mixture of both. Experimentation is a key part of this workshop. You will be encouraged to play!

AUG 5-9 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Champlevé Enamel on Fine Silver
Instructor: Sandra McEwen

All Levels
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$145-$195 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Create a champlevé pendant from start to finish. First, you will learn how to saw and fuse fine silver bases. After fabricating the foundation, you will create your own cloisonné wires and inlay them into the fine silver base and add the layers of colored enamels to complete your design.  Focus will be on achieving great transparency and clarity of color.

AUG 12-16 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Site Investigation: Find & Set Your Gems!
Instructor: Motoko Furuhashi

*Pre-approved for Act 48 Credit by PAEA

All Levels
$695 Member | $725 Non-Member
$90-$140 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Explore your surroundings to collect materials and learn various setting techniques to create one-of-a-kind jewelry. Through this process, you will gain a new perspective on how to view your surroundings and further develop your artistic interest.

WEEKEND WORKSHOPS: AUG 31-SEP 1 THROUGH SEP 28-30

AUG 31-SEP 1 | 2-DAY (SAT-SUN) | LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Weaving Wire for Rings & Chain
Instructor: Sarah Jane Sindler

No Experience-Beginner
$375 Member | $405 Non-Member
$90-$140 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Learn how to weave wire to create a ring with and without a sterling jacket using silver and copper wire. You will also learn how to make double and single woven Viking chains with silver and copper wire. These techniques require very few tools and are accessible for all makers, even ones without studios or with very few tools!

SEP 7-9 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)
Fiber Techniques in Jewelry
Instructor: Nanette Pengelley

Intermediate
$490 Member | $520 Non-Member
$55-$105 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Explore various traditional (and non-traditional!) embroidery techniques and ways to translate them into the language of jewelry making. We will begin with the kinds of fabrics we can use and ways to embellish them. The basics of hand embroidery will be demonstrated, as well as how to incorporate additions such as beads, pierced shapes, and wire work. Lastly, ways to stabilize your pieces in order to wear them, using both hot and cold connections, will be discussed.

SEP 28-30 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)
Fine Forgings
Instructor: Erika Broas

All Levels
$490 Member | $520 Non-Member
$90-$140 Materials and Studio Fees

REGISTER NOW

Learn the ins and outs of forging non-ferrous metals such as brass, copper, and silver to create a forged copper cuff and other forged jewelry pieces/components. We’ll cover different hammering techniques to draw out and taper thick wires, punching to stretch sheet and melted balls radially, using the rolling mill, using wire draw plates, simple soldering techniques, and more! Once you learn how to manipulate metal in this way, you will be able to create custom components for all your metalsmithing needs.

Touchstone Center for Crafts prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or association preference. Touchstone Center for Crafts also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to its facilities and programming.