beginner chain design & fabrication | 4 weeks on thursdays | Nov 7 - Dec 5 | 6:30-8:30pm
beginner friendly, no experience necessary.
Thursdays - November 7 , 14, 21 & December 5 - (off Nov 28) - there will be 1-2 opportunities for a make-up class, date TBD between Laura & students.
Explore the creative joy of designing and making jewelry with this introduction to chain making workshop! led by Laura DePalma.
In this class, you'll learn how to create beautiful, sturdy chain of your very own design. We'll start by reviewing traditional and fancy chain styles, conceptualize your design, and translate your ideas into sketches and/or prototypes.
Learn about which variables can most influence your final design, with the opportunity to troubleshoot and play with your creative vision. Watch your design come to life as you form and solder the links, then assemble them using traditional chain making methods to achieve your desired result. Finish off your bracelet or necklace with your own handmade toggle clasp, and learn about other ways to elaborate on basic chain designs.
Nov 7 - Lesson 1: Conceptualizing Your Chain Design
Nov 14 - Lesson 2: Soldering skills to Achieve Your Design
Nov 21 - Lesson 3: Finishing Your Bracelet: Clasps + Closures
Dec 5 - Lesson 4: Finish Work and Accents
Note: some students will need more time than allotted for the class if they want to make a necklace or more complex chain design. join us for open studio membership after the workshop if you’d like some extra time to finish your projects or keep playing with our tools.
Studio will provide copper and brass. If you would like to make a silver chain, we have an optional wire kit available starting at $30 depending on materials needed for your design. payable via cash, venmo, or paypal directly to Laura during the workshop.
beginner friendly, no experience necessary.
Thursdays - November 7 , 14, 21 & December 5 - (off Nov 28) - there will be 1-2 opportunities for a make-up class, date TBD between Laura & students.
Explore the creative joy of designing and making jewelry with this introduction to chain making workshop! led by Laura DePalma.
In this class, you'll learn how to create beautiful, sturdy chain of your very own design. We'll start by reviewing traditional and fancy chain styles, conceptualize your design, and translate your ideas into sketches and/or prototypes.
Learn about which variables can most influence your final design, with the opportunity to troubleshoot and play with your creative vision. Watch your design come to life as you form and solder the links, then assemble them using traditional chain making methods to achieve your desired result. Finish off your bracelet or necklace with your own handmade toggle clasp, and learn about other ways to elaborate on basic chain designs.
Nov 7 - Lesson 1: Conceptualizing Your Chain Design
Nov 14 - Lesson 2: Soldering skills to Achieve Your Design
Nov 21 - Lesson 3: Finishing Your Bracelet: Clasps + Closures
Dec 5 - Lesson 4: Finish Work and Accents
Note: some students will need more time than allotted for the class if they want to make a necklace or more complex chain design. join us for open studio membership after the workshop if you’d like some extra time to finish your projects or keep playing with our tools.
Studio will provide copper and brass. If you would like to make a silver chain, we have an optional wire kit available starting at $30 depending on materials needed for your design. payable via cash, venmo, or paypal directly to Laura during the workshop.
beginner friendly, no experience necessary.
Thursdays - November 7 , 14, 21 & December 5 - (off Nov 28) - there will be 1-2 opportunities for a make-up class, date TBD between Laura & students.
Explore the creative joy of designing and making jewelry with this introduction to chain making workshop! led by Laura DePalma.
In this class, you'll learn how to create beautiful, sturdy chain of your very own design. We'll start by reviewing traditional and fancy chain styles, conceptualize your design, and translate your ideas into sketches and/or prototypes.
Learn about which variables can most influence your final design, with the opportunity to troubleshoot and play with your creative vision. Watch your design come to life as you form and solder the links, then assemble them using traditional chain making methods to achieve your desired result. Finish off your bracelet or necklace with your own handmade toggle clasp, and learn about other ways to elaborate on basic chain designs.
Nov 7 - Lesson 1: Conceptualizing Your Chain Design
Nov 14 - Lesson 2: Soldering skills to Achieve Your Design
Nov 21 - Lesson 3: Finishing Your Bracelet: Clasps + Closures
Dec 5 - Lesson 4: Finish Work and Accents
Note: some students will need more time than allotted for the class if they want to make a necklace or more complex chain design. join us for open studio membership after the workshop if you’d like some extra time to finish your projects or keep playing with our tools.
Studio will provide copper and brass. If you would like to make a silver chain, we have an optional wire kit available starting at $30 depending on materials needed for your design. payable via cash, venmo, or paypal directly to Laura during the workshop.
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Lesson 1: Conceptualizing Your Chain Design
Review of chain styles and variables to consider when designing your chain (wire gauge, size of links, shape of links, width, etc.)
Concept sketching and prototyping your design (playing with how to form different link shapes and sizes, planning your tools to create the shapes you want)
Basic soldering overview
Lesson 2: Skills to Achieve Your Design
Learn to form and solder links for your chain (wire wrapping, sawing, hand tools)
Practice soldering individual and grouped links
Begin your chain assembly
Design options for closures – review of closures including sneak peek of handmade clasps
Lesson 3: Finishing Your Bracelet: Clasps + Closures
Finalizing chain assembly
Fabricate a toggle closure and add it to your workpiece
Begin finish work (cleanup and polishing)
Lesson 4: Finish Work and Accents
Final finish work on your chain project
Add a hallmark or small charm from premade cutouts
Sneak peek of charm design ideas
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metalsmithing is an inherently dangerous craft by the nature of the tools we’re using, but there’s nothing to worry about! studio safety information will be shared at the beginning of class to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience.
to fully participate in the workshop, please anticipate bringing a hair tie if you have long hair, closed-toe shoes and well fitting clothing that you don't mind getting dirty are also recommended. On day 2 we will use a K95 mask for dust when polishing, and any safety goggles (or prescription/blue light glasses) to protect your eyes from dust.
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optionally, you could bring the following items to enhance your experience: a notebook and pencil if you’re a note-taker, an apron to protect your clothes, your favorite rings for sizing reference, and any simple jewelry design inspirations you'd like to explore together (no promises, some things are beyond the realm of our tools but we’ll try anyway!)
reading glasses with magnification or a magnifying glass are extra helpful if you have trouble seeing small objects.
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The studio is located at 4800 Airport Way S.
Be careful not to park in the numbered spots in the lot. You may be towed - and not by us! There is street parking across the street and down the road on s alaska street, right past the fedex, which is where we'd recommend parking.
You'll want to enter through door #1, walk through the doors to the left, then up the stairs to the right! Class will be held in our loft. We have a small space, so it's pretty easy to navigate :)
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all metalsmith class sales are final.
with these offerings being so limited, it’s nearly impossible to accommodate make-ups. please only sign up for a class if you are sure to attend all classes in the session.
we recognize that things come up - please reach out directly to metal@oftheearthcollective.com
have a question? submit it here or reach out to metal@oftheearthcollective.com
