Workshop List

You will learn how to make a basic pendant using any size of cabochon and then how to embellish it with a variety of beads. Once you learn this technique you will be able to create a pendant using any size or shape of cabochon and you will be able to vary your design by adding or subtracting beads or crystals in a number of ways. Learn about wire temper, wire shapes, and gauges as well as tools. You will learn how to measure enough wire, how to straighten wire, how to bind your bundle of wire, how to make a bail, how to embellish a basic design and how to make an attractive pendant. Inasmuch as all tools are provided during the workshop, all you need to bring is a willingness to learn! Materials fee includes your choice of one of Merilou’s handmade dichroic glass cabochons, sterling silver wire, your choice of a variety of beads, a jeweler’s polishing cloth, a fleece work surface and a copy of her 12 page instruction book featuring complete instructions with color step by step photographs, all of which is yours to take home. She will also provide all tools for you to use in class so it is not necessary for you to bring anything. Class size is limited to 6 so register early!

You may have learned how to wrap a cabochon but now you can take it to the next level – you can learn how to do free form sculpting with wire to create elegant and distinctive pieces of jewelry. The final piece can be stand alone as a stunning pendant or you can go on to incorporate it into a necklace for a truly spectacular effect. The results will always be different depending upon the stone you use, the type of wire you use as well as the different sculptural effects you can incorporate into your piece. Learn about wire temper, wire gauges and wire shapes as well as all about the necessary tools. Come and have fun! Class is limited to 6 so sign up early.

There are many different kinds of wire bracelets but this one is quite delicate looking and very attractive. You will be using square wire and adding 3mm beads of your choice (either14KGF or sterling silver). You will learn how to adjust the size for any size wrist. Learn about wire temper, gauges, and shapes as well as the proper tool to use. You will learn how to measure enough wire, how to straighten wire, how to create a clasp and how to bind your bundle of wire. Inasmuch as all tools are provided during the workshop, all you need to bring is a willingness to learn! Class size is limited to 12 so register early!

In this class, you will learn how to create a bezel set gemstone pendant in silver using just a butane torch--simple equipment you can safely use at home. This class is a full six hours so that a small group (enrollment is limited to eight) of students can be carefully and calmly coached through a simple series of steps that combine to create a sophisticated piece of jewelry. We will take a short break at a mutually agreed upon time in the middle of the day. Once you have chosen your gemstone from a selection made available in class, you will create this entire pendant, including the bezel, the background texture, and the bail. You may supply your own gemstone, but it must be a flat back cabochon stone, and it should not be too big or too fragile. I do reserve the right to suggest your use of a class gemstone for learning! You will construct the pendant from sheet and wire using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as soldering, texturing, filing, granulation, stone setting, and polishing. All tools are provided, but will be affordable and approachable options for the home jeweler. Using a custom fabricated bezel, you will also add a cabochon gem to your pendant, and finally you will learn to make your own bail and to suspend your pendant kinetically from its chain using a heat riveting technique. You will receive comprehensive illustrated handouts for the class. My teaching style and goal is for all my students to see a successful conclusion in a safe and fun learning environment. If you have any questions before enrolling, please email me at studiominerock@gmail.com . Things to bring with you to class: any magnification you might need for close up work, plus a battery operated task light if you want it—the classrooms at the show can be a little dimly lit! No cancellations or refunds can be made less than a week before class due to travel and shipping logistics. If the class is full, please send me an email. I will put you on a cancellation notification list.

Charoite is a rare silicate mineral, first described in 1978 and named for the Chara River and has been found only in Siberia, Russia. The “DD” in the title refers to one of my former students who came up with this design, hence the name “DD” (for Dexter Design)! Learn about wire temper, gauges, and shapes as well as tools. You will learn about shapes of wire, how to measure enough wire, how to straighten wire, how to bind your bundle of wire, how to make a bale and how to add embellishment to any pendant (or earrings if you worked smaller).

In this class, you will learn how to create a tube set gemstone ring in silver using just a butane torch-- simple equipment you can safely use at home. Once you have chosen your gemstone from a selection made available in class, you will create this entire ring. Using a purchased tube setting, you will also add a faceted gem to your ring, and finally you will learn to polish your completed jewelry using affordable and approachable tools and techniques. You may supply your own gemstone, but it must be a calibrated 5 mm round stone, and it should not be too fragile. I do reserve the right to suggest your use of a class gemstone for learning! You will construct the ring from sheet and wire using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as soldering, texturing, filing, stone setting, and polishing. You will learn how to measure your metal precisely for an accurate ring size—and how to adjust if your plans go awry! All tools are provided, but will be affordable and approachable options for the home jeweler. You will receive comprehensive illustrated handouts for the class and a list of tools for purchase if you choose. My teaching style and goal is for all my students to see a successful conclusion in a safe and fun learning environment. If you have any questions before enrolling, please email me at studiominerock@gmail.com . Things to bring with you to class: any magnification you might need for close up work, plus a battery operated task light if you want it—the classrooms at the show can be a little dimly lit! No cancellations or refunds can be made less than a week before class due to travel and shipping logistics. If the class is full, please send me an email. I will put you on a cancellation notification list.

Although these earring look complicated, they can be done by those with little or no wire wrapping experience. Beginners and accomplished wire workers will both enjoy these earrings. The earrings are fairly light so they do not pull on your earlobes but they have a dazzling effect! With a little know-how, you can enlarge the pattern to make a similar bracelet or even a choker. You can re-create these stunning earrings in different sizes by utilizing larger Swarovski cubes. They can also be created using all 14KGF or copper or any combination thereof. Learn about wire temper, wire gauges and wire shapes as well as all about the necessary tools. You will learn how to measure enough wire, how to create a bundle of wire and how to bind the bundle of wire. Class is limited to 6 so register early!

In this class, you will learn how to create a gemstone necklace using a commercial silver chain as the starting point. Once you have chosen your gemstone from a selection made available in class, you will make a silver ring, attach it to your chain, add a bezel cup for a small gemstone, and finally you will learn to polish your completed jewelry using affordable and approachable tools and techniques. Soldering attachments to a fine chain is an art, and you will learn techniques to control the solder flow and to protect your chain from the heat of the torch. You may supply your own gemstone, but it must be a calibrated 5 mm flat back cabochon stone, and it should not be too fragile. I do reserve the right to suggest your use of a class gemstone for learning! You will construct the necklace from chain and wire using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as soldering, texturing, filing, stone setting, and polishing. All tools are provided, but will be affordable and approachable options for the home jeweler. You will receive comprehensive illustrated handouts for the class. My teaching style and goal is for all my students to see a successful conclusion in a safe and fun learning environment. If you have any questions before enrolling, please email me at studiominerock@gmail.com . Things to bring with you to class: any magnification you might need for close up work, plus a battery operated task light if you want it—the classrooms at the show can be a little dimly lit! No cancellations or refunds can be made less than a week before class due to travel and shipping logistics. If the class is full, please send me an email. I will put you on a cancellation notification list.