Learn How to Make Jewelry With the Lighthouse ArtCenter’s Virtual Classes

Students of all levels can follow along with the ArtCenter's jewelry making classes. 

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Sample jewelry by Lisa Johnson. Image courtesy of the Lighthouse ArtCenter.

Beginning Monday, April 27, the Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery and School of Art will expand its virtual art offerings to include interactive jewelry making and metal smithing classes, led by the Tequesta-based center’s esteemed teachers. Students can create pendants, rings, necklaces, and bracelets through demonstrations or individual instruction from the comfort of home. The handmade jewelry can be a perfect gift to commemorate upcoming Mother’s Day, graduations, and Father’s Day.

There is a small material list for each class. The classes start at $135, with proceeds used to pay the not-for-profit’s instructors and to continue the organization’s mission of connecting community through a vibrant school of art, unique exhibitions, and diverse special events. For complete details visit lighthousearts.org.

“Students of different ages, backgrounds, and experience join our jewelry classes to develop a new skill set in the arts, add something fun to their usual routine, and create their own jewelry to sell online or in galleries,” says Director of Jewelry & Textiles, Lisa Johnson. “Virtual classes present a wonderful opportunity for students to invite their friends and family from out of town to join their jewelry class community.”

In addition, the Lighthouse ArtCenter invites artists to post projects to social media and share their latest projects by tagging @lighthousearts and using the hashtags #LighthouseArtCenter #LACbettertogether on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Lisa Johnson; image courtesy of the Lighthouse ArtCenter.

Class Schedule (April 27 – May 23):

Mondays

Introduction to Jewelry and Metal Smithing, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Perfect for beginners, students will be introduced to the basic fundamentals of jewelry and metal smithing with instructor Lisa Johnson. Each student will learn to design, pierce, drill, and set a cabochon stone with tabs, and will apply riveting techniques. Students will work with sterling silver, brass, and/or copper to make rings, pendants, and necklaces or bracelets. Registration costs $135.

Seashells and Pearls! Oh My!, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students of all levels will learn the proper technique of pearl (and bead) stringing and knotting and drilling into seashells with instructor Tracey Roedl. Then students learn how to make the chain links, from wire, to connect them together into their one-of-a-kind jewelry. Registration costs $160.

Tuesdays

Independent Study, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In this class led by Maria Tritico, intermediate to advanced students bring in their own projects to complete. Tritico will tailor demonstrations and one-on-one assistance to help each student complete their pieces and learn the necessary skills to apply to future pieces. Registration costs $160.

Intermediate Jewelry and Metal Smithing, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Intermediate students will learn create more dimension in jewelry using hollow construction techniques, like scoring and bending, perforated lines, and paper models to develop pendants, rings, or bracelets. Johnson will also instruct on how to add sparkle with faceted stone, using a precise piercing method for a setting without a torch. Use of the jeweler’s saw and being familiar with drilling is necessary. Registration costs $160.

Wednesdays

Metal Smithing and Stone Setting, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Roedl will guide intermediate to advanced students through their own designs and her own using silver, gold, copper, or brass sheet and wire. Learn more about design, soldering, detailed piercing, forming, filing, and polishing metal. Class features bezel, prong, tube, and flush setting faceted and cabachon stones and pearls in a warm, inspiring group atmosphere. Registration costs $160.

Thursdays

Introduction to Jewelry and Metal Smithing, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Perfect for beginners, students will be introduced to the basic fundamentals of jewelry and metal smithing with instructor Lisa Johnson. Each student will learn to design, pierce, drill, and set a cabochon stone with tabs, and will apply riveting techniques. Students will work with sterling silver, brass, and/or copper to make rings, pendants, and necklaces or bracelets. Registration costs $160.

Basket Setting, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn how to fabricate a basket setting for a gemstone from silver wire with instructor Gustavo Hoefs. Intermediate students will learn the tricks of the trade in bending and soldering wire to fit oddly-shaped faceted stones that will not fit commercially available wire settings. Soldering skills are must for this class and a functioning solder set up equipped with a torch at home is necessary. Cotton jeans (100 percent cotton and closed-cover leather shoes are mandatory. Registration costs $160.

Fridays

Intermediate Jewelry Repair, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

During this course, Hoefs will instruct intermediate students on the steps to clean jewelry prior to repairing, size a ring larger, size a ring smaller, and repair broken chains. Knowledge of the jeweler’s saw, flex shaft, and torch are required. Students will need to obtain broken jewelry to work on, preferably gold and diamonds, which are easier than silver. Registration costs $160.

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