List of Courses
Lapidary Courses
Scheduled
Unscheduled – Coming soon
Flint Knapping
Learn to make arrowheads. This course is beginner level, meaning you will be making an arrowhead from a pre-form. Once aptitude is shown on the preform, and if time permits, you will be taught to make an arrowhead point from a spall.
Cabochon Cutting – Beginner
Cabochon cutting is really the best way to introduce someone to lapidary. Lapidary is “the art of working with stone”. Cutting cabs helps teach you how to identify good rocks for cutting, and how to navigate through flaws. You’ll learn how to slice and prepare a gem, then get into shaping and forming. Sanding and polishing ensue as you learn to remove scratches and create a gloss finish on your stone.
Carving Gemstones
This course combines theory and hands-on practice, using a variety of example pieces to illustrate techniques. Rather than focusing on figurines or realistic forms, the emphasis will be on mastering burr shapes, their applications, and creating freeform designs. You’ll practice line weights, linear curves, and shaping, with the goal of crafting a single piece from a blank of your choice.
Slab Polishing
High-Speed Slab Polishing: Dry Sanding Techniques This interactive demonstration introduces high-speed slab polishing using a Richardson sander—a modified motor mount equipped with a high-speed motor and floor sander. The instructor will showcase machine modifications and upgrades that improve efficiency, followed by a hands-on session where students can take turns using the equipment. The course also covers a comparative analysis between dry sanding at high speed and vibratory slab polishers,…
Reverse Intaglio: An Introduction to Glyptic Carving
Step into the art of reverse intaglio—the intricate technique of carving designs into the back of transparent gemstones to create a striking three-dimensional effect. This beginner-friendly course is designed for novice carvers looking to explore this traditional craft with hands-on guidance and expert instruction. Students will be provided with one practice quartz blank and two working blanks, with additional blanks and premium stone varieties available for purchase during the course. The wor…
Stone Drilling
Learn to put a hole in a rock. These skills are transferable to glass, ceramic and shell. You will learn to use the drill press, as well as hanging mill to put a hole in thin, as well as thick stones.
Rock Tumbling
This will be a demo with Q & A. The tumbling process, including that for soft and niche materials such as obsidian will be covered. Rotary & Vibratory tumblers will be discussed and the applications of each.
Small Animal Soapstone Carving
This workshop is a hands-on introduction to soapstone carving and 3D sculpture, perfect for beginners ages 9 and up! We start with a pre-cut soapstone silhouette of a North American animal and bring it to life using hand tools. You will learn and practice a variety of carving techniques as you shape, refine, and add your personal touch to your unique sculpture.
Metalsmithing
Scheduled
Unscheduled – Coming soon
Wire Wrapping
Learn to set a cabochon in a precious metal frame, bound with fine metal thread. The process of wire wrapping uses minimal tools, weaving and binding metal in cold connection techniques. You will make a Pendant in this course, learning how to cinch a stone in place and create a bail to suspend the stone from. This course is meant to take beginners away from the “Champagne bottle top” style of wrapping, and lay the foundations to understand fine weaving and binding patterns.
Relief Casting
Relief casting is the art of pouring molten metal over various surfaces to capture intricate textures and impressions. This introductory course focuses on classic texture techniques, including broom, salt, bean, and water casting, each producing unique organic patterns that add depth and character to your work. These textured metal forms can be used in fabrication, soldered into larger designs, or transformed directly into jewelry with simple modifications like drilling and adding jump rings. Wh…
Wax & Organics Modeling
Wax Modeling & Carving: The Art of Jewelry Prototyping Discover the art of wax modeling and carving—a foundational skill in jewelry design that allows for intricate, sculptural, and highly customized creations. In this course, you’ll learn to carve wax models from scratch, using an array of specialized tools, including rotary tools with burrs, wood whittling knives, dental picks, and sculpting tools. We’ll explore the full spectrum of wax varieties, from soft, pliable forms to hard, brittle to…
ARTS & CRAFTS
Scheduled
Unscheduled – Coming soon
Geode Ring Boxes: Cut, Craft, and Create!
Unlock the beauty hidden inside a geode and transform it into a one-of-a-kind keepsake! In this hands-on workshop, students will start with uncut geodes and learn how to identify the best ones based on external indicators—before breaking them open to reveal their sparkling interiors. Once their geodes are opened, participants will shape and refine the halves to create a functional ring box or small container. With instructor guidance, they’ll learn how to attach hinges, smooth edges, and ens…
Painting Rocks: A Fun & Creative Workshop for Kids!
Unleash your creativity and bring rocks to life with paint! This engaging and hands-on class is designed for kids who love art, rocks, or both! With a focus on fun and self-expression, participants will receive all the materials they need—including a variety of smooth stones, eco-friendly, kid-safe paints, and brushes—to create their own colorful masterpieces.
Treble Clef Ring
This course is designed for children but open to everyone! Students will start by creating practice pieces in copper, learning the basics with simple tools. Once they’re comfortable, they’ll have the opportunity to craft a piece in silver. The class is completely safe, using only pliers—no torches or heavy equipment required. It’s a fun and hands-on introduction to jewelry-making for all ages!