Jewelry & Metalsmithing
Offered for a variety of skill levels, jewelry-making classes at the FAC begin with the basics of sawing sheet metal, filing, silver soldering, texturing, and forming and progress to more advanced techniques such as surface embellishment, stone setting, and polishing. Students will use these skills to learn how to make jewelry by hand, from raw metal to a finished work of art.
Learn more details about our Jewelry and Metalsmithing classes below!
8 WEEK CLASSES
Class Resources
Spring 2026
Jewelry Making Techniques - Mixed Levels, Morning (PDF)
Jewelry Making Techniques - Mixed Levels, Evening (PDF)
Summer 2026
Jewelry Making Techniques - Mixed Level, Morning (PDF)
Jewelry Making Techniques - Mixed Level, Evening (PDF)
Large Form Forging (PDF)
Intro to Forging - Block 1 (PDF)
Intro to Forging - Block 2 (PDF)
Jewelry and Metalsmithing Class Details
Jewelry and metalsmithing at the Firehouse Art Center serves as a hands-on introduction to working with metal as both a functional and expressive medium. Students are guided through the processes used to transform raw materials into wearable pieces, learning to balance precision and creativity while also exploring experimentation and personal design.
Class Format
Jewelry and metalsmithing classes are structured as eight-week sessions, meeting for three hours weekly in a studio setting equipped for detailed, bench-based work. Each course builds progressively, allowing students to develop skills step by step while completing a series of projects.
Classes include demonstrations of core techniques, followed by guided practice and individual work time. Beginners focus on foundational skills and simple forms, while more experienced students expand into increasingly intricate designs and multi-step projects. The pace allows students to refine their work, revisit techniques, and develop a stronger understanding of both process and craftsmanship.
Instructors
Jewelry and metalsmithing courses are led by experienced metalsmiths and jewelry artists who bring a combination of technical expertise and creative practice to the studio. Many instructors have backgrounds in fine art, fabrication, and design, and are actively engaged in their own work.
Instruction is highly hands-on, with a focus on precision, safety, and problem-solving. Instructors provide individualized guidance at the bench, helping students navigate tools, refine techniques, and translate their ideas into finished pieces. Feedback is ongoing and tailored to each student’s experience level and creative direction.
Studio, Materials, and Equipment
Students work in a dedicated jewelry studio equipped with professional-grade tools and workstations. Classes introduce essential equipment such as jeweler’s saws, torches, files, and forming tools, along with the materials used in basic metal fabrication.
Many courses include access to shared tools and some materials, while others may require students to purchase specific supplies depending on the project. Instructors guide students through proper tool use, safety practices, and material selection, ensuring a strong foundation for working independently.
Outcomes
By the end of a jewelry and metalsmithing course, students will leave with a collection of handcrafted pieces that reflect their technical growth and personal style. They gain a clear understanding of how to work with metal safely and effectively, from initial design through final finishing and develop patience, attention to detail, and confidence in using specialized tools, skills that support continued exploration in more advanced classes or independent studio work.
Common Techniques and Areas of Focus in Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Sawing, piercing, and shaping metal
Soldering and torch techniques
Forming and texturing surfaces
Filing, sanding, and finishing
Basic stone setting and embellishment
Designing and fabricating wearable pieces
Jewelry and Metalsmithing Workshops
Jewelry and metalsmithing workshops are structured around specific techniques or small-scale projects, giving students the opportunity to work through the full fabrication process in a shorter timeframe. These sessions are well-suited for beginners looking to try jewelry-making for the first time, as well as for returning or experienced students interested in expanding their skill set.
With an emphasis on hands-on making, workshops may also highlight specialized processes or new materials while allowing students to complete a finished piece and become more familiar with tools, materials, and foundational techniques.