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Metal and Art Classes Available
Congratulations! You found the best solution to taking a craft class in the Philly! These classes are available in Private Lesson form!
Learn a great deal more in a shorter amount of time with your own private teacher. No waiting to ask a question or sitting through information you already know!
Don't have time for a whole course to fit into your schedule? Don't worry! All classes are scheduled by the student to fit their schedule!
Work along side a professional artist in a professional metals studio. Classes are held in beautifully historic West Philadelphia. Experience working in a professional art studio, The Cedar Works
Jewelry Classes: Techniques and Concepts
JC001- Intro to Jewelry Making: Jewelry Concepts
*This class is included in any first time beginner class
Where to begin; the main barrier that confronts all of us with the intent to learn something new and create. This is a short discussion on the history, function, and concept of ornimentation. Begin at the beginning!
The Message of Ornamentation
- Representation
Functional Considerations in Jewelry
- Weight
- Balance
- Size
- Flexibility
Jewel Support Systems
- Hanging/Tying
- Pressure
- Clasps
- Piercing/Studs
- Sewing
Materials
- Metal choices/Contents/Benefits
SH101- Introduction to Sheet Metal (Level I)
*Any skill level welcome
*This course includes JC001- Intro to Jewelry Making: Jewelry Concepts
*Rolling mill pictured is not accurate size. (Ours is much smaller:))
Almost all hand fabricated jewelry starts with sheet and wire. This intro to sheet metal working will give you what you need to start manipulating a flat sheet in the areas of shape, form and texture. Student will have a clear understanding of how sheet metal is made, measured, and manipulated and begin making there own simple custom jewelry like the pieces shown.
Using a rolling mill
- Changing dimension of metal
- Rolling sheet/wire
- Rolling techniques
- Texture transfer
Cutting Sheet
- Measuring/marking tools
- Design transfer
- Cutting tools
- Sawing
Cold Working
- Methods of cold bending
- Piercing
- Filing tools/techniques
- Basic milling: Tools/Technique
Intro to Sheet Metal Class $375
This is a two day class. Each class is 2.5 hours long and you choose your dates/times. Tool rental and materials included. Silver available on hand for purchase.
WW-101 Introduction to Wire Working (Level I)
*Any skill level welcome
*This course includes JC001- Intro to Jewelry Making: Jewelry Concepts
Wire is arguably the foundation of jewelry making. You will be given the ability to make your own earring hooks, free form shapes and mechanical construction. Learn how to apply what you learn in constructing your own jewelry.
Wire Manipulation
- Creating shapes with wire
- Changing the sectional shape of wire
- Spiral making
- Twisting wire
- Cutting
- Surface texturing wire
- Wire manipulation tools
Making Chain: Integrating interlinked, inter-looped, flexible systems
- Creating links
- General chain types
- Working with commercial chain
- *single/double loop chain
- *Chain mail
*special group classes offered
Intro to Wire Working Class $375
This is a two day class. Each class is 2.5 hours long and you choose your dates/times. Tool rental and materials included. Silver available on hand for purchase.
Intermediate Jewelry Classes (Level II)
SH-202 Intermediate Sheet Metal Manipulation (Level II)
*Prerequisites: Level I: Processing Sheet Metal
Take your sheet metal skills a step further with this intermediate sheet metal class. Learn how to make more intricate forms in sheet and create your own unique relief design in metal using the ancient techniques of repoussage.
Sheet Metal Manipulation
- Structural Distortion through deformation
- Annealing
- Doming: Making a hemisphere
Repoussage and Chasing: Creating a hollow relief
from sheet
- Repoussage metal and Chasing work surface
- Metals used in Repoussage
- Annealing
- Tools and applications
This Intermediate Sheet Metal Class is available as a private class for $550
This is a three day class. Each class is 2.5 hours long and you choose your dates/times. Tool rental and materials included. Silver available on hand for purchase.
WW-202 Intermediate Wire Working Classes (Level II)
*Prerequisites: Level I: Basic Wire Working Techniques
There is a world of knowledge when it comes to wire working techniques. In this intermediate class learn more complex ways of using wire to form stone settings, hinges, and findings. Bonus stone cutting demo with techniques on how to use the grooved stone in order to make stone wire working many times easier while offering many more design options.
Using Stones in Wire Work
- Creating settings
- Attachment techniques using stone beads
- Loose stone wrapping techniques and applications: rings, pendants, bracelet
- Prong settings with wire using cabochons
- Setting agate slices
Cutting Stones for Wire Work
- Using diamond disks to cut grooves in stone
- Stone setting techniques using grooved stones
Leather Working Class: Make A Belt!
Submit the form above if interested or call 215-316-1309
Learn how to hand fabricate your own personal leather belt straight from the hide! Students will go through the whole process of making a belt, from cutting a leather strip to tooling a design and dying. Learn the process of belt making while creating your own personal belt and gaining the skills used to make many other leather works!
In this class students will:
- Learn about leather hides
- Cut strips
- Bevel and slick leather edges
- Learn leather tooling, burning, and carving
- Learn how to set snaps, grommets, and studs
- Dye
Custom Class
Build your own course!
A rare find! Participants will have 100% of the teacher's attention and will be guided in precisely what the student needs to learn. This custom class is perfect for someone who has a specific project they'd like guidance on or maybe even has no idea how to go about physically creating their idea. This is strictly a one on one class, offering instruction in skills such as:
- Metal Fabrication
- Brass Brazing
- Silver wire and sheet making
- Silver Soldering
- Ingot Making
- Leather working
- Basic Woodworking
- Lapidary, stone carving, and polishing
- Sculpture ( Traditional Fine Art [Figure Sculpting] and Mixed Media)
- Layout, design, composition
- Drawing
- Wedding Bands
Take advantage of this unique offer and hire your own personal art instructor for the day! Work in a professional studio freely and be inspired by the tools, skills and experience being offered to you at your finger tips!
Classes are $200 for 4 hours. Prices and times are custom tailored to fit the needs of the specific person and their needs.
Class cards are available for a discounted rate!
3-Class Card= $540 Savings of $60!
4-Class Card= $720 Savings of $80!
Group rates also available.
For more information or to schedule a class, fill out the form below or call 215-316-1309 :
Testimonials
Lia designed and made her own leather belt with leather she brought in.
“Totally Amazing One on the Best classes I've every experienced. Michele is so knowledgeable, great teacher, and super patient. I'll be taking another class. More than 5stars!!!!!!!!”
-Lia (West Philly)
Michael brought in two handmade knives and made custom leather knife sheaths.
"Michele's custom class allowed me to transform my ideas into works of art. Her knowledge of art is amazing and the studio has every tool and material to make art happen. I will continue to take classes to learn and make things I am proud of."
-Michael (Bucks County)
Carly learned to cut this amethyst crystal to fit into her belt buckle design!
Custom watch band made by student for his SmartWatch.
Silver hoops made by first time silver smithing student.
Student-made engagement ring made for his girlfriend; a lover of science.