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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Silvera Jewelry School

Silvera Jewelry School teaches professional jewelry techniques with tools and equipment that can be

At Silvera Jewelry School and studio we specialize in classes in jewelry techniques like soldering, enameling, stone setting, and lost wax casting. Workshops are taught at our fully equipped jewelry school in Berkeley where each student has a bench of their own and tools to use during class. Class fees include materials for the projects and all techniques are slanted towards home studio friendly tools and materials so that you can continue to practice your new skills after class.

Operating as usual

11/30/2023

Photographing your jewelry is the untold skill that all professional jewelers need to acquire, (unless you can hire a photographer). That said, photographing metal and getting a perfect white background is no simple task. Enter Jenn Parnell Kirkpatrick! In this class, Starting your Jewelry Business: Photography and Social Media, you will learn to photograph your jewelry for jury images, social media images, in progress shots, as well as model shots. We will be covering photo editing both on your phone/tablet as well as on a laptop. Cell phone and DSLR photography will be covered.

In addtion to learning how to shoot your jewelry well and professionally, you will also learn about utilizing various social media apps to promote your work as well as website builders and how to design a jewelry-focused website and web presence.

Starting your Jewelry Business: Photography and Social Media teaches the following:
• Photography- DSLR camera, cell phone, tablet
• Making a light box for better images
• Lighting and composition
• Jury images, social media images, process shots, model shots
• Website development
• Photo editing - with mobile devices and on desktop/laptop
• How to promote your work on social media

In-Person or Online
Tuesdays, January 9 - January 30
6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
To register, follow the link in our FB Intro or visit silverajewery.com

11/29/2023

Bloomin' brilliance at the Round Rose Micromosaic Class with Janice Peacock! Students unleashed their creativity through the delicate art of micromosaics, each pendant a joyful bloom in their personal gardens of self-expression. Thank you to all of our students who participated in this class. It was a pleasure!

Photos from Silvera Jewelry School's post

11/29/2023

During the 1940s-1960s there was a renaissance in American jewelry making. The aesthetic, techniques, and artist vs craft link are all iconic and foundational to our current aesthetic and style.

From Sam Kramer to Art Smith, Margaret De Patta to Alexander Calder and Albert Paley, we look at how pieces were made as well as identifying the design hallmarks of the time. We will also learn about why this era came about and talk about how it still relates to our work today.

What’s covered in this class?
History of jewelry in the United States 1940-1970
What materials were used during this period and why? How did they differ from previous eras?
Forging and wire work
Aesthetics of the period
Brooch back and catch
Modernist design principles and hallmarks
Piercing and filing
Sweat soldering
Riveting
Bar link chain
Bezel setting for cabochon
Heat patinas

In-Person or Online
Weekend Class
December 9 - 10
10:00AM - 5:00PM PT

https://www.silverajewelry.com/classes/w/ID/542/eventID/6958/details.asp

11/27/2023

Bedazzle your arms with gemstones set textured and beautiful bangles. In Bangles with Stones, you will learn how to size, solder and forge several bangles in copper, brass and sterling. You'll also add stone settings and even learn how to solder a bangle with stones in place! This is a great class for beginners to stretch their skills with soldering, setting and fabrication.

Techniques taught:
• How to measure a bangle blank�
• Forming bangles�
• Soldering bangles�
• Twisting metal�
• Light forging
• Solder on bezel settings
• Solder bangles with stones, like beads, in place
• Polishing

In-Person or Online
Saturday, January 6
10:00AM - 5:00PM PT

To register, follow the link in our FB Intro or visit silverajewelry.com

Bangles with Stones Decorate your arms with textured and beautiful bangles. This is a great class for beginners to stretch their skills with soldering, setting and fabrication. Students will learn how to size, solder and forge several bangles in copper, brass and sterling. We'll add stone settings and even learn how t...

11/27/2023

Color blending or hombre is an awesome way to create depth and dynamism to your polymer clay creations. Join Bonnie Bishoff as she shows you how to construct 4 different color blends (also known as Skinner blends) by working together in a step-by-step process. Students will then learn how to construct a variety of canes using these blended sheets. Bead and component construction using blended canes will also be demonstrated.

Bonnie will share her favorite color blends and tackle the theory and practice of this technique. Record keeping with repeatable diagrams as well as color density will be discussed.

Online
Mondays, December 4 - 11
2:30PM - 6:00PM PT

To register, follow the link in our Fb Intro or visit silverajewelry.com

11/24/2023

Rings are one of the most fundamental forms of jewelry and ideal for learning to solder. But learning to solder while making a stack ring with a set bezel? Even better! Sample several soldering techniques in this 3 hour workshop, Intro to Soldering - Stack Rings, by Joe Silvera, the author of Soldering Made Simple: Easy Techniques for Kitchen Table Jewelers and Soldering Beyond the Basics.

You'll learn how to make soldered connections using simplified, professional techniques, an easy to use butane torch and a simple home setup. This class will cover soldering tools, materials, fueling and lighting your torch, and more as students solder sterling stack rings with bezel stone settings.

No previous experience required. Open to students of any level.

In-Person
Thursday, January 18
10:30AM - 1:30PM PT

Intro to Soldering - Stack Rings Want to learn how to solder your jewelry? Sample several soldering techniques in this 3 hour workshop by Joe Silvera, the author of Soldering Made Simple: Easy Techniques for Kitchen Table Jewelers and Soldering Beyond the Basics. You'll learn how to make soldered connections using simplified, pr...

11/23/2023

🌟 Heartfelt Gratitude from Silvera Jewelry School! 🌟 To our incredible students, you are the soul of our school! Teaching you is not just a job for us; it's a passion-filled journey that gets better with every class. Your creativity, dedication, and unique perspectives inspire us daily. Being part of your artistic growth is an absolute joy, and we're grateful for the fun-filled moments we share in every workshop. Your energy fuels the vibrant atmosphere of our school, and we can't wait for the exciting learning adventures that lie ahead. Here's to the amazing community of artists at Silvera Jewelry School! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ~Jenn, Anat and Joe

11/21/2023

Free JewelryTalk: the Healthy and Green Studio. Join Joe Silvera, for an enlightening discussion about how to make a healthy and environmentally friendly jewelry studio. Even just a small, home set up can expose you to toxins that over time can cause you harm. We’ll talk about what you have to watch out for and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

Topics covered:
Identifying toxins and safety issues in the studio: chemicals, metals, fumes, dust, and gasses

Safer choices - choose healthier materials and techniques

Simple studio modifications to make a safer workplace

Your studio and the environment - how not to poison your world

We hope you will join Joe for this talk. If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the recording, and share it with your jeweler friends. Let’s make our studios safer together!

Online
Saturday, January 20
12:00PM - 1:30PM PT

Free JewelryTalk: the Healthy and Green Studio Join me, Joe Silvera, for an enlightening discussion about how to make a healthy and environmentally friendly jewelry studio. When I studied jewelry in university and as an apprentice, back in the 80s and 90s, there was some information about toxicity and health hazards, but almost nothing about h...

11/20/2023

Surprise! We’ve extended our sale of 15% off all Silvera Jewelry School Classes one more day! We have workshops scheduled through April so there's plenty of time to plan, but not much time to save. So check out our Class Calendar and get ready to learn something exciting and new! Follow the link in our FB Info section or visit silverajewelry.com

Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, Silvera offers classes that can help you expand your skills as a jewelry artist. We teach everything from basic jewelry fabrication, casting and stone setting to enameling and repurposing of scrap metals to jewelry history courses. Not a metalsmith? We also teach metal clay and polymer clay techniques. Most classes are taught In-Person or Online and many of the techniques are taught to be home friendly. So, yes, you can have a kitchen crucible!

11/20/2023

Today is the last day to save 15% off of all Silvera Jewelry School Classes! Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, Silvera offers classes that can help you expand your skills as a jewelry artist. We teach everything from basic jewelry fabrication, casting and stone setting to enameling and repurposing of scrap metals to jewelry history courses. Not a metalsmith? We also teach metal clay and polymer clay techniques. Most classes are taught In-Person or Online and many of the techniques are taught to be home friendly. So, yes, you can have a kitchen crucible!

We have workshops scheduled through April so there's plenty of time to plan, but not much time to save. So check out our Class Calendar and get ready to learn something exciting and new! Follow the link in our FB Info section or visit silverajewelry.com

11/19/2023

The rich vibrance of enamel is one of the most evocative tools a jeweler can use when creating a story with their jewelry. It is eye catching and alluring. Champlevé enamel is an incredible skill because it is extremely versatile in its application. Whether you etch, are interested in wire work, pierce out design and sweat solder layers, or work with dyes, the intricate details and vibrant colors you can get with champlevé gives your pieces a unique and timeless charm. You will also learn to torch fire your work, so you don't need a kiln, although kiln firing will also be covered.

In this class, Enameling: Champleve, every step is covered, from your imagination and design to your finished piece, with many adaptations along the way. You will work with etched, die struck, saw and solder for the champleve technique, while bringing color to your work!

Take advantage of our 15% off class sale from now until Nov 19 and enjoy this incredible new skill as we move into the new year!

To register, follow the ink in our FB Intro or visit silverajewelry.com

In-Person or Online
Tuesdays, November 28 - December 19
10:00AM - 1:00PM PT

11/17/2023

At 12 am tonight, all Silvera Classes are 15%. It’s a weekend sale, November 18 - 19! We teach everything from basic jewelry fabrication, casting and stone setting to enameling and repurposing of scrap metals to jewelry history courses. Most classes are taught In-Person or Online and many of the techniques are taught to be home friendly. So, yes, you can have a kitchen crucible!

We have workshops scheduled through April so there's plenty of time to plan, but not much time to save. So get ready for the weekend because the sale is on!

To find classes, follow the link in our FB Intro or visit silverajewelry.com

11/17/2023

Lost wax casting is a great technique for making your own custom jewelry with the ability to easily reproduce it. You can cast it yourself with a centrifuge, vacuum assisted or have someone else do all the casting and polishing! You get finished pieces that are ready to use.

The main focus of this class is to learn how to make good wax models. Wax work is easy to set up in a home studio and lets you be creative with your designs in a way that is different from fabrication and soldering. It’s more fluid and sculptural. In later classes, you can learn how to save and reproduce your designs with molds, and how to create stone settings in your wax models.

What would you make with wax models? Let us know in the comments!

In-Person or Online
December 15 - 17
10:00AM - 5:00PM PT
To register, follow the link in our bio or visit silverajewelry.com

https://www.silverajewelry.com/classes/w/ID/538/eventID/7013/details.asp

Lost Wax Casting 1 - Basics Lost wax casting is a great technique for making your own custom jewelry, or parts for a line, or to set your work apart - and have someone else do all the casting and polishing! You get finished pieces that are ready to use. This course is available as an in-person workshop or live online class....

11/16/2023

All Silvera Classes are 15% off this weekend, November 18 - 19! We teach everything from basic jewelry fabrication, casting and stone setting to enameling and repurposing of scrap metals. Most classes are taught In-Person or Online and many of the techniques are taught to be home friendly. So, yes, you can enamel jewelry in your kitchen! (For example).

We have workshops scheduled through April so there's plenty of time to plan, but not much time to save. So get ready for the weekend because the sale is on!

To find more classes, follow the link in our FB Intro or visit silverajewelry.com

11/15/2023

Gold-filled is an affordable alternative for more expensive gold alloys, but working with filled metals requires careful fabrication and soldering to avoid exposing the base metal core. In this 1 day workshop, Gold Filled Jewelry, you will work with 14/20 gold-filled material. This class introduces intermediate techniques like using firescale retardant fluxes, mixing metals, using gold solder, precision soldering and polishing tips for protecting the top layer of gold.

Techniques covered:
• Fabricating with Filled Metals
• Sizing and making a ring with forged texture
• Minimizing clean up after soldering and protecting metals from scale
• Measuring and fabricating a bangle

In-Person or Online
Friday, December 1
10:00AM - 5:00PM PT

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Gold-Filled Jewelry The warm luster of gold is synonymous with the beauty of jewelry. But working in gold can be intimidating. Gold-filled is affordable and durable enough to solder, roll in a mill, texture, etc. Take the leap with our helpful guidance and fabricate bangles, pendant and a ring in gold-filled. In this w...

11/13/2023

American Modernist Jewelry During the 1940s-1960s there was a renaissance in jewelry making in America. This time was the beginning of what we have today. The aesthetic, techniques, and artist/craft link are all iconic and foundational to each of us as jewelers currently. In this class we dive into this period, examining desi...

11/12/2023

Do you have a box of scrap metal taking up space in your studio? Part of what is amazing about working in metal is that you can melt down your scrap and start over! In this class, Jewelry 4: Ingots, Forging and Hollow Forms, you will learn how to sort your metals, then learn home-friendly techniques for melting them down into ingots, and forge them back into jewelry.

Creating volume without weight is a key skill for designing all forms of jewelry. Students will learn how to make hollow form earrings and how to create a setting for pearls.

Techniques covered include:
• Cast an ingot with home studio friendly techniques �
• Forging wedges, tapers, and more
• How to use a draw plate to draw wire�
• How to use a rolling mill to make sheet and wire
• Fabricating hollow forms�
• Making earrings�
• Make a setting for a pearl

To register, follow the link in our FB Intro or visit silverajewelry.com
In-Person or Online
Thursdays, January 18 - February 8
6:00PM - 9:00PM PT

11/10/2023

Join Janice Peacock for this exciting class on creating small and colorfully wearable micromosaics!

In this workshop, you'll learn the basics of working with micromosaics, including how to slice the glass canes, and secure them into a bezel setting. Using filati, which are pre-made glass components imported from Italy, you'll learn about the various tools and supplies used in micromosaics, and learn how to work with the special design challenges that you'll face working on this scale. By the time class is finished, you'll have completed a mosaic pendant.

Techniques covered:
Designing a micromosaic pendant
Cutting filati into slices
Arranging the filati to create patterns
Securing the filati in place
Terminology for micromosaics
Tools and materials for creating further micromosaics

In-Person or Online
Friday, Nov 17
10:00AM - 1:30PM PT

To register, follow the link in our FB Info or visit silverajewery.com

11/09/2023

Accepting applications: Shibumi/Grabowski Opal Scholarship Opportunity

Silvera is pleased to announce 2 scholarship opportunities for early 2024! One scholarship is for Jewelry 1 and Stone Setting: Tube, Flush, and Prong, the other is for Jewelry 1 and Lost Wax 1: Basics. These scholarships are brought to you in partnership with Shibumi Gallery and the Grabowskis, and are aimed towards giving people who are interested in making jewelry the opportunity to get started and to learn 2 techniques dear to Bob Grabowski- stone setting and lost wax casting.

To apply for the scholarships, please send the following to [email protected] by midnight Pacific time December 8, 2023. Winners will be enrolled in classes starting in January 2024.
* Statement of financial need
* How would this opportunity allow you to achieve a goal or dream of yours?
* Tell us a little of your interest in jewelry making
* If you have been making jewelry, images of pieces you have made (in focus cell phone images are fine)
* Email, and Instagram or phone number to contact you.

11/08/2023

Color blending polymer clay creates luminescence, enables contrast and can create depth to your design . In this class, Polymer Clay Luminosity: Introduction to Color Blends, you will learn the challenging, dynamic, and essential technique that takes polymer clay to another level unlike any other mediums- color blending!

Join Bonnie Bishoff as she shows you how to construct 4 different color blends (also known as Skinner blends) by working together in a step-by-step process. Students will then learn how to construct a variety of canes using these blended sheets. Bead and component construction using blended canes will also be demonstrated.

Bonnie will share her favorite color blends and tackle the theory and practice of this technique. Record keeping with repeatable diagrams as well as color density will be discussed.

Online
Mondays, December 4 - 11
2:30PM - 6:00PM PT

To register, follow the link in our FB Intro or visit silverajewelry.com