Jewelry & Metals   

Learn the fundamental techniques and tools used to create unique jewelry and small metal sculptures as you work through a series of projects focused not only on technique, but also on encouraging individual expression. Techniques covered will include sawing, basic forming, surface textures, silver-soldering, riveting, ring-making, and surface finishes. Note: Tool kits and some supplies included; see *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE and see link below or website for a materials list and links to sources.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

Learn the fundamental techniques and tools used to create unique jewelry and small metal sculptures as you work through a series of projects focused not only on technique, but also on encouraging individual expression. Techniques covered will include sawing, basic forming, surface textures, silver-soldering, riveting, ring-making, and surface finishes. Note: Tool kits and some supplies included; see *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE and see link below or website for a materials list and links to sources.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

In this class, students will learn to form and hammer metal to create one-of-a-kind earrings.  Begin by focusing on forming and forging copper wire that can be hammered and shaped in a variety of ways.  Students will also learn how to make findings such as ear wires and jump rings, as well as focus on cutting and forming sheet metal using hammers, stakes, and the hydraulic press. Surface patinas and finishing will also be covered in this course. See *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE. Please bring a bag lunch.

*METAL SUPPLIES NOTE: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment. Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted. Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for supply lists.

Jewelry & Metals Open Studio: Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class

This class will focus on learning the fundamentals and basics of working with metal clay. Metal clay is a soft malleable material composed of metal particles in a bonding agent that can be rolled, shaped, and formed to create dimensional jewelry forms before firing and sintering the metal clay in the kiln. Students will learn how to roll and shape the clay, carve and add texture the clay prior to firing, as well as surface finishing once fired to create one-of-a-kind works. Discuss on kiln and firing schedules will be reviewed to provide full understanding of the firing of metal clay. Bilingual instruction is available. NOTE: Students will need to purchase some materials including ProjectX Bronze Metal clay prior to the first class; *see Metals Supplies Note and website for a materials list and links to sources.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio: Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

In this class, hone your fabrication and soldering skills to create a one-of-a-kind hollow form ring. We will cover everything you need—from paper design concept to cutting the design out in sheet metal—students will learn the ins and outs of metalsmithing hand tools and specific soldering skills used to make 3D forms. Each student will walk away with a completed hollow form ring and samples. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Basic Metal Skills.1 is recommended but not required.  Students will purchase their sheet metal of choice (brass or silver); see *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE and see link below or website for a materials list and links to sources.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio: Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

This class explores simple means of jewelry construction using metal wire as the main means of fabricating wearable pieces; no torchwork required and simple forming makes it a great approach for any home practice.  Students will gain an understanding of working and manipulating different gauges (thicknesses) of wire, how wire can be utilized to create loops for chains, wrap beads for inclusions, as well as other forming means and basic forging techniques to create necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  Students will be encouraged to bring in gathered trinkets, old jewelry, beads, and other items to incorporate in projects.

What does it take to make a ring? Construction of handmade rings will be the focus of this two-day course in metal. Students will be introduced to the basic techniques of working with non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, and silver), basic hand tools, forging, forming, silver-soldering using a torch, surface embellishment, and finishing techniques. In two days, students should expect to walk away with at least two finished projects. NOTE: Please bring a bag lunch. Bilingual instruction is available. Includes a materials kit for simple projects covered in class; see *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

For the advanced student wishing to pursue a new or continued topic of metalworking and/or jewelry-making or to create a small body of work. Although projects are self-directed, the instructor will work with each student to assist with design, aesthetic, and/or technical decisions. Prerequisite: Students must contact Jill Sortore at jillian.sortore@utsa.edu for prior approval before registering and should have successfully completed of at least three metals courses or equivalent intermediate metals experience. See *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio: Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

For the advanced student wishing to pursue a new or continued topic of metalworking and/or jewelry-making or to create a small body of work. Although projects are self-directed, the instructor will work with each student to assist with design, aesthetic, and/or technical decisions. Prerequisite: Students must contact Jill Sortore at jillian.sortore@utsa.edu for prior approval before registering and should have successfully completed of at least three metals courses or equivalent intermediate metals experience. See *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio: Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

This class takes the cost of silver in consideration by inviting students to reuse their own silver scrap to create new sheets and wire, while also expanding beyond traditional precious metals by fostering curiosity, problem-solving, and thoughtful material choices. Recycling silver is a slow, hands-on process that requires patience and care, and it becomes an opportunity to better understand cycle of material and its value. Alongside this, students will explore sustainable approaches to jewelry-making through creative material experimentation; the reuse of found and everyday objects will be encouraged to source, test, and manipulate alternative materials. Students will also have the option to sandcast found objects. Includes some materials, however students will purchase their sheet metal of choice (brass or silver); *see *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE and see link below or website for a materials list and links to sources.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio: Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.