Introduction to Metalsmithing for Jewelry-Making 6-Week Class

Build a strong foundation in jewelry making in this engaging 6-week beginning metalsmithing class. Designed for complete beginners and curious creatives, this course introduces essential tools, techniques, and studio practices used by traditional metalsmiths.

Over six weeks, you’ll learn how to saw and pierce metal, file and refine edges, texture surfaces, form and shape with hammers, and safely use a torch for soldering. You’ll explore how to create clean joins, add simple design elements, and finish your work with professional polishing techniques. Along the way, you’ll gain confidence working with metals like sterling silver, copper and brass while developing an understanding of design, craftsmanship, and material behavior.

Each week builds on the last through hands-on projects—such stacking rings, stone setting and chain-making--so you can apply your new skills right away. You’ll also learn studio safety, tool care, and tips for setting up your own workspace at home.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a small collection of finished pieces and, more importantly, the skills and confidence to continue your metalsmithing journey with creativity and independence.

Beginning Metalsmithing

• Thursdays, July 2, 9,16, 23, 30 and August 6, 2026
• 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• Cost: $330
• Materials: silver sheet and wire must be purchased by student, estimated total cost $200-$400*

*All tools, equipment, and consumable materials (except for metal) are provided by the studio. The studio will provide the materials for the first project in the first day of class. The student must provide materials for the remaining projects, which will be discussed during the first class. Students may work in copper, but it is highly recommended that silver be used for the beginning class.

Here’s a general outline of what you can expect:

1. Safety Basics: Handling tools safely is crucial. The instructor will discuss how to set up a safe workspace, use protective equipment, and practice good ventilation and posture when working with metals.
2. Tools and Materials Overview: You'll learn about essential tools like saws, files, pliers, hammers, and the types of metals used in metalsmithing (such as copper, brass and silver).
3. Sawing and Filing: You'll practice sawing metal sheets and filing edges to get a smooth finish. This helps develop control and precision in shaping and refining metal pieces.
4. Soldering and Annealing: Soldering is essential for joining pieces, and annealing is used to soften metal for easier shaping. The instructor will demonstrate how to control the flame and handle the torch.
5. Forming and Shaping: Techniques like bending, hammering, and doming will be introduced to help create curved, dimensional forms. You will learn how to use mandrels and forms for shaping metal.
6. Texturing and Finishing: Adding texture to metal is often done with hammers or specialized tools. Polishing techniques, patinas, and finishes will also be introduced to give your pieces a professional look.

Fingernail Moon Jewelry Studio is located in FAVO - Faith Arts Village Orlando - a vintage 1950s era motel that has been converted into artist studios. Use the address 718 Highland Avenue to get to the first parking lot. To enter the facility, turn north on Highland from Colonial, there is a stoplight, and enter the second driveway on the left, through a black fence. You will see a sign that says "Park Lake Presbyterian Church, FAVO Art Studios". Proceed through the parking lot to the far right and rear and on through the driveway connecting to a second parking lot. You will see an L-shaped building with colorful doors - that's us! I am studio 237, second from the end upstairs on the right. Look for the moons!

Info: To start off the first class we will familiarize ourselves with the studio and studio safety. We will review what we can expect to accomplish during the course, and what will be required to purchase. Then we will tackle our first project, a stacking ring. This project will introduce us to the basics of cutting, shaping, soldering and finishing metal. If all goes well we will leave with shiny new silver rings!

Info: In the second class we start by learning how to saw. Each student will receive a saw frame, an assortment of blades, 2 sheets of copper (22 and 26 ga), and a portable bench pin to take home for practice. Sawing takes a lot of practice so everyone will need to spend some time on their own to become "friends with your saw!" Then we'll get started with our second project: bezel setting a stone for a pendant or a ring. First step will be to measure, cut an solder the bezel wire and get it ready to solder to the back plate.

Info: In this class we will continue with the bezel setting. We will hopefully get the bezel soldered to the backplate and begin finishing backplate. Design elements must be decided, prepared and added, and a bail prepared and added.

Info: Bezel set stone pendant will be completed. All remaining parts will be soldered, finishing completed, and stone set! Time permitting we will start our final project, the chain. The first step is to wrap the wire around a mandrel to make a coil. Then the coil will be cut into jump rings and the jump rings must be filed (so they can be soldered closed) before next class.

Info: We will start making our chain by soldering closed half of the jump rings. Then we will begin to connect and solder links using the pick soldering method.

Info: This is it! Last class! Time to finish our final project, the chain! We will do any last bit of soldering, then clean up and polish! And TA-DA! You are a metalsmithing WIZ!

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