From Bead to Jewelry: Metalsmithing for Flameworkers

Class Description

Taught by madie maier

4 week course (meets once a week for 3 hours)

This introductory course will teach students to transform their flameworked glass beads into finished jewelry. The class is designed for glass artists looking to add metalsmithing techniques to their skillset. By creating a pendant and a pair of earrings, students will explore hammering, forming, and soldering sterling silver wire. We will use varying gauges of wire to hold and complement both soft and borosilicate glass beads. We will also discuss the material considerations of how metal and glass successfully come together as an essential aspect of harmonious jewelry design. Students should bring their own glass beads to class, as they will not be provided. Please bring at least five beads, including at least one pair, for our planned projects. Additional beads are encouraged for exploration.

This course is a collaboration with Urban Glass and The Bead Goes On: From Beads to Wearables. Students are required to have previous glass experience and must bring their own fabricated glass beads for class projects. No previous metalsmithing experience is required.

Class Size 4-12 students.

All students enrolled in this multi-session course will receive free punch cards to support their coursework outside of class time. punch card amounts are dependent on the length of the class session, see our chart here. These hours can be used during Open Studio and are valid for the duration of the course. Additionally, students have access to discounted hourly student rates and 12-hour bench cards.

Refunds & Credit

Please email us at info@bkmetalworks.com to withdraw from class. Withdrawals from class more than 7 days prior to the start of the class will receive a full refund for the class minus a 10% processing fee. If cancellation occurs 3-6 days prior to the class, we will provide a 50% refund. Cancellations 48 hours or less receive a 25% refund. Refunds will not be provided for no-shows or same-day cancellations.

We do not refund tuition for classes that students miss due to their own circumstances. There will be no refunds once the class begins in any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to a later semester. Students enrolled in multi-session studio courses (excluding workshops and intensives) may make-up missed class sessions during open studio hours through the duration of the session.

We reserve the right to cancel or discontinue any class, in which case you may choose to receive a refund, apply the class credit towards a different course, or receive a tuition credit for future use. Tuition credits are valid for up to one year. Refunds will be issued within 30 days.