New York—Don’t have time to go South of the Border to learn Mexican stamp and tool-making techniques? Can’t afford flying to Germany to learn delicate filigree or Venice to master colorful micro-mosaics?
Luckily, aspiring jewelry designers (and existing ones that want to learn new techniques), can check out some local classes in New York. We particularly like the summer lineup at the 92nd Street Y, as they all have an international flair. Here’s the lineup. Check the website for fees:
Mon-Fri, May 14-18, 10 am-4 pm
MICHAEL GOOD: ANTICLASTIC RAISING
Learn the technique developed by world-renowned artist Michael Good, whose work is found in stores, galleries, museums and private collections, to manipulate flat sheet metal into nondefinitive forms. Good demonstrates and gives exercises. Tool kits provided for the duration of the class.
Fri & Sun, Jun 1 & 3, 10 am-4 pm
CÓILÍN Ó DUBHGHAILL: JAPANESE ALLOYS
Learn about traditional, exquisite Japanese alloys such as shakudo and shibuichi and how to patinate them with the niito process. Ó Dubhghaill studied traditional Japanese metalsmithing in Tokyo and his work can be found in the Goldsmiths’ Company in London, the Marzee Collection in the Netherlands and the National Museum of Ireland. He’ll demonstrate how to make multi-colored metalwork through inlay and overlay techniques using a palette of patinated metals.
Fri & Sun, Jun 15 & 17, 10 am-4 pm
MICKI LIPPE: NIELLO
Learn the basics of niello, a deep black, soft metal alloy used to fill the recesses as decoration on gold, silver and bronze. Because the finest engraved line or texture can be filled with niello, you can create very complex designs with a black pattern against the metal base. Lippe has been a studio jeweler for almost 40 years, crafting both production and one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Fri & Sun, Jun 22 & 24, 10 am-4 pm
SUSANNE MATSCHÉ: FILIGREE
Gain a technical knowledge of the ancient and beautiful technique of filigree, which makes everything around it look even more precious. Matsché, who studied in Austria, Germany and Russia, has exhibited her work throughout Europe, Japan and the U.S. With her guidance, you’ll complete at least one small filigree piece.
Fri & Sun, Jul 13 and 15, 10 am-4 pm
JESSE BERT: MEXICAN STAMP AND TOOL MAKING
Explore the attributes of carbon steel to create unique and exciting tools like the ones artisans and jewelers have used in Mexico for generations. Look at some traditional forms and shapes from Mexico and create your own stamps and tools to personalize your jewelry or metalwork. Bert, who uses repurposed and found objects to create sculptural jewelry, teaches and lives in Mexico.
Mon-Thu, Jul 9-12, 10 am-4 pm
RUSSELL O. JONES: RENDERING
Rendering plays a key role in jewelry design and manufacturing, helping convey ideas and allow experimentation without commitment. Jones is the principal designer for Russell Jones Jewelry and his designs are carried in stores across the country. Jones will teach you the basic technical skills required for hand-drawn and painted design renderings and also show slides of the historical archives of great jewelry designers and companies like Vedura, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier.
Fri & Sun, Jul 20 & 22, 10 am-4 pm
REBECCA HANNON: PLASTIC LAMINATE INTENSIVE
Bring vibrant, long-wearing pops of color into your jewelry. Learn how to alter and connect colored sheet plastics. Create Venetian-inspired micro-mosaics with ColoreCore sheet, saw and rivet bold Formica elements and dye, bend and engrave Plexiglas. Hannon has won first prize in Munich’s Danner Competition and a Fulbright Grant in 2001. Her work has appeared internationally and in 500 Earrings, 500 Necklaces, 500 Bracelets and 500 Pendants and Lockets, among other publications.
Mon-Fri, Jul 23-27, 10 am-4 pm
HELEN BRITTON: RT BLANKING
Learn the basic technical elements of the RT Blanker along with the exciting and complex possibilities of this tool. Use the blanker to make identical cuts of sheet metal and create at least one finished piece that stretches your practical and conceptual boundaries. Britton’s work is in the National Gallery of Australia, the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the Schmuck Museum in Pforzheim and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, among others.
