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Jewelry & Metalsmithing I
The primary goal of this class is to provide students with a grounded understanding in jewelry and metalsmithing studio practices and the foundational hand skills necessary for working successfully with non-ferrous metals. Students who complete this course will be ready to confidently move forward to a level 2 class or a technique-focused workshop.
Skills covered in the first half of the semester include sawing, filing, texturing, soldering and other heat treatment of metals, and basic hammer-work. Work produced in these first weeks will focus on samples in brass/copper, allowing students a chance to confidently hone their techniques and ultimately contribute to a successful blueprint for project pieces made in sterling silver. These most important skills will be used throughout the semester to allow students to truly develop a dexterity with the relevant tools/techniques. Ample class time will also be devoted to the practical aspects of adorning jewelry with cabochon stones, including bezel construction and setting.
Class time in the latter half of the semester will be focused on producing a successful set of designs for jewelry pieces utilizing Jewelry 1 skill sets and executing these designs in sterling silver. Secondary techniques to be covered in this time will include an introduction to finishing using the flex shaft, patination, and the use of wire.
Students will finish the class with at least two pieces of sterling silver or mixed-metals jewelry, and a number of process pieces in base metal, that will serve them as reminders of the knowledge they acquired, to be tapped in their future projects. This class assumes no prior experience working in the jewelry medium – we will embrace each success or mistake thankfully, as a special opportunity to recognize what we have gained from our metalsmithing endeavors!
*No Class: October 12th (Indigenous People’s Day)*
**Class WILL be held the Monday of Thanksgiving week.**
Please be advised: Due to the need to order supplies, we customarily close registration for our on-site offerings one week before the start date. If you wish to join the class after registration closes, please contact us at [email protected] or 781-891-3854.
Meet the instructor
David Baird has been making jewelry for nearly four decades. He received his bachelor's degree at the Evergreen State College, and his MFA from The School of the American Craftsman at Rochester Institute of Technology. He also has a GG (Graduate Gemology certificate) from the GIA.
David sells his work nationally and has taught classes and workshops for at least 30 years around New England including Metalwerx, DeCordova Museum School, and Lexington Arts and Crafts Center. More recently he has been developing specialized jigs to make bench processes easier for his students. The Directed Open Studio courses at Metalwerx are led by David because of his vast knowledge about the many facets of metalworking.
Over the past 15 years, David has expanded his repertoire to include lapidary cabbing and carving. He now devotes his time between two studios, both lapidary and jewelry, taking on commissions by request. His studio is located at the Waltham Mill Buildings, near Metalwerx where still he teaches regularly.
Materials & Tools
There is a $108 materials fee for this class that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes copper (18-ga) and brass (20-ga) sheet; silver (18-ga, 22-ga) sheet; copper, brass, and sterling silver wire; fine silver bezel wire; several cabochon stones; scribe; saw blades; and sandpaper. This fee also covers the cost of various other communal studio supplies needed to complete exercises and projects.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the unpredictable cost of precious metals, starting in Fall 2026, Metalwerx will no longer provide unlimited solder for use in the studio. Your instructor will order the amount needed for use during class.
Note: Metalwerx has available all that you will need, but these tools and supplies need to be shared, and are not always in "mint" condition. Be sure to clearly mark any tools you bring from your home studio so they are easily identifiable.
Closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
Personal PPE (dust mask/respirator, eye protection, gloves, earplugs, apron, etc.)
Shop towel
Ultra-fine point sharpie marker - black
Notebook/Sketchbook
Pen or Pencil
Optional:
Favorite hand tools - clearly labeled or marked
Vision Aid (readers or Optivisor, etc.)
Snacks or beverages (Metalwerx has a fridge, toaster oven, and microwave)