Click here for Registration Information and Policies
Click here to download a Registration Form
JE901 • Thu-Sat • May 28-30 • 9am-3pm
Advanced Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $290 • Non-Member $315 • plus materials fee
Michael shows you how to combine simple, easy-to-fabricate parts to create beautiful bracelets and rings. Through his guidance, you'll learn the techniques necessary to complete a bracelet in class. Among these techniques are: cutting, stone-setting, soldering, and finishing. Some experience is required for this class. You should have used a torch at least once. See Supply List
Organic forms, architecture and industrial design inspire the work of Michael Thee. He studied photography at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, graphic arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College and jewelry fabrication at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Michael has received numerous regional awards for his work, including "Best in Jewelry" at the Joliet Fine Art Festival of the Masters. His work is in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He exhibits locally at the Flying Pig in Algoma. www.michaeltheestudio.com
Hydraulic Press Skills for the Enamelist // Anne Larsen
JE902 • Mon-Wed • June 8-10 • 9am-4:30pm
Advanced Beginner • Metal, Enamel
Tuition: Member $340 • Non-Member $365 • plus materials fee
The elegant curves and shapes made with a hydraulic press lend themselves to enameling. The press makes it possible to move directly to the kiln with little added manipulation of the metal. Anne shows you how to create volume, seamless forms, folds, and textures with this safe, quick and quiet method. You'll learn several basic, versatile press processes and how they can add dimension to your designs. She'll also explain how to etch patterns into copper prior to forming and enameling, the use of the press to manipulate a microfolded sheet, and how to create perfect duplicates or a varied series. You' ll make at least one die and take away many formed pieces, ready for you to develop into richly-colored works.
Anne Larsen left her academic career in 1995 to become a full time studio metalsmith. Trained in traditional silversmithing to create functional objects, she also learned enameling and goldsmithing techniques for jewelry design and fabrication. She has taught press forming techniques to artists throughout the United States, Canada, and the UK. She curated a major competition and show for the Society of North American Goldsmiths in Denver, Colorado. Anne was responsible for funding the entire project through a grant from 3M. Her work has appeared in Metalsmith, Lapidary Journal and AJM magazines. Her new work includes pieces featuring patterned steels paired with precious metals, enamel and stones. www.deerlightstudio.com
The Finer Points of Finishing // Anne Larsen
JE903 • Thu-Sat • June 11-13 • 9am-4:30pm
Intermediate • Metal
Tuition: Member $340 • Non-Member $365 • plus materials fee
Do you have projects that are nearly finished – and have been that way for a long time? The process of completion is seldom taught and poorly understood. In this workshop, Anne leads you through finishing--physically and psychologically. You'll learn correct filing, sanding, polishing, and surface preparation, as well as techniques that prevent you from damaging a piece while you construct it. You'll also learn how to analyze the order of work for a design, set realistic standards for yourself, and maintain focus from the beginning of a project to its conclusion. On the final day, you'll bring in a stalled project to be analyzed for difficulties, determine a course of action, and apply it.
See JE902 for faculty biography.
Surface Embellishments on Metal // Joan Miller Hubbard
JE904 • Thu-Sat • June 18-20 • 9am-3pm
Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $290 • Non-Member $315 • plus materials fee
Discover how to change the surface, color, and texture of metal as Joan demonstrates the processes of reticulation, Kuem-Boo (24K gold application) and Marriage-of-Metal. You'll expand your skill set in metalsmithing as you utilize sterling silver, 24K gold, copper and brass. Samples, as well as finished pieces of jewelry, will be shown and discussed. See Supply List
Joan Miller Hubbard has exhibited hollowware and jewelry across the United States since 1975. She holds a BS from Dominican College, an MA from UW-Milwaukee and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, near Detroit, Michigan. Born and raised in Wisconsin, she continues to maintain a studio in her home state but draws inspiration from the gems and beauty of the southwest. www.artisticmetaljewelry.com
Beginning Silversmithing// Cora Acor
JE905 • Thu-Sat • June 22-24 • 9am-3pm
Novice • Metal
Tuition: Member $290 • Non-Member $315 • plus materials fee
Learn to use basic silversmithing skills to design and fabricate a pin or pendant that is distinctly your own. Cora will take you through the process of sawing, soldering, sanding and buffing sterling silver to create a unique piece of wearable art. If you have always wanted to make silver jewelry, or would like to refresh your skills, here is your chance. After three days, you'll go home with two or more pieces of jewelry to wear - and will be ready to take more advanced classes in silvermsithing. See Supply List
Cora Acor's jewelry designs are inspired by nature and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. She studied Art Education at UW-Stevens Point and has worked in metals for the past twelve years. Since her retirement from school administration, Cora has been involved with the Peninsula School of Art--first as a metalsmithing student under notable instructors like Sylvia Youell and Greg Greenwood--and then as an instructor. She exhibits her pieces at Peninsula School of Art and in the Door County Art League Gallery. Cora also teaches classes in EffectiveTeaching Skills and enjoys helping artists improve their teaching techniques.
Enamel Surface Effects // Leslie Perrino
JE906 • Sat • June 27 • 9am-4pm
Advanced Beginner • Enamel
Tuition: Member $115 • Non-Member $140 • plus materials fee
If you are new to enameling, or want to refine your skills, Leslie leads you through an exploration of design techniques on enameled surfaces. She'll briefly review enamel application prior to demonstrating the use of scrafitto, lumps and threads, rubber stamps, stencils, graphite, screens and more. Although most of these techniques are more easily applied to flattened surfaces, Leslie will teach you how, with some practice, they can be adapted to 3-D pieces. See Supply List
Leslie Perrino began her artistic career by studying theater, and later became interested in the visual arts. While living in Chicago, she ran the Evanston Art Center jewelry masters program. After completing her Masters in Jewelry from the Savanna College of Art and Design, she continued teaching. Leslie now lives in Racine, Wisconsin, where she maintains her home studio. She exhibits nationally and internationally, while remaining involved with many local and national metals and enameling organizations.
First Steps in Silversmithing // Sylvia Youell
JE907 • Mon-Fri • July 6-10 • 9am-Noon
Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $240 • Non-Member $265 • plus materials fee
As a beginning student, Syliva will teach you how to transform a flat sheet of silver into a finished work of art. While creating a piece of your choice, you'll learn techniques such as sawing, soldering, forming, cabochon stone setting, and polishing. Design, fundamental procedures, and handling tools will also be covered. Sylvia is open to teaching the more advanced techniques of roller printing, forging, and chasing, if desired. This workshop is a stimulating introduction to the art of silversmithing, with the interaction of the group making it a productive, enjoyable week of creativity.See Supply List
Sylvia Youell has been creating award-winning works in silver since 1966. Educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and through many workshops with nationally- known metalsmiths, she is an active member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths and the Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council. She has been working from her gallery, Sylvercroft Studio in Baileys Harbor, since 1977.
Rings: Design and Fabrication // Leslie Perrino
JE908 • Sat • July 11 • 9am-4pm
Open to All Levels • Metal
Tuition: Member $115 • Non-Member $140 • plus materials fee
Leslie will teach you how to make a sterling silver, textured band ring in the morning, then make a variety of others in the afternoon. This one-day class allows you to learn a few basic metalworking skills and to take home some original objects of beauty. If you're a more advanced student, you can learn to make different sizes with a simple setting. See Supply ListSee JE906 for faculty biography.
Glass, Metal and Fire: Enameling // Gail Nelson
JE909 • Thu-Sat • July16-18 • 9am-4pm
Open to All Levels • Metal, Enamel
Tuition: Member $
340 • Non-Member $365 • plus materials fee
Whether a beginner or pro, Gail shows you how to utilize the elements of glass, fire and metal to bring originality and color to your jewelry through the enameling process. Gail's personal attention enables you to explore traditional and experimental techniques with confidence. Incorporating your own designs, she'll show you how to screen-print enamels with PhotoEZ, a lightbox & darkroom process that can be repeated at home. See Supply List
After years of metalsmithing, Gail Nelson continues to be fascinated by the possibilities of her art. She has studied with numerous fine enamelists and metalsmiths throughout the United States--many of whom have invited her to co-teach in metalsmithing workshops. Her environmentally "green" etching method for enamelists was published in "Glass on Metal" and her work appears in Lark Books “500 Enameled Objects”. Gail is Programs Director for the Great Lakes Enameling Guild. She is represented locally by the Paint Box Gallery in Ephraim.
"Tear Away" with Precious Metal Clay // Joy Kruse
JE910 • Mon-Wed • July 20-22 • 9am-4pm
Advanced Beginner • Metal, Precious Metal Clay
Tuition: Member $340 • Non-Member $365 • plus materials fee
Emboss your 2-D images onto fine silver through the "tear away" process with Precious Metal Clay (PMC). Joy will teach you how to make transfers with "clay paper" that can be used as is, or as a stamp for repeated applications. By the end of the workshop, you'll have learned intermediate PMC skills, the placement of heat-resistant stones, kiln and torch safety, and basic metal processes. If a more advanced student, Joy will cover bezel set stones and bezel shrinkage in PMC, if desired. Expect to take home a completely original image on a fine silver pendant with a hand fabricated chain and clasp. Basic knowledge of jewelry fabrication and tools, as well as basic PMC knowledge or other clay background are required. See Supply List
Joy Kruse, Casco WI, is inspired by everyday objects that evoke emotion or bring forth the possibilities for fine design. Joy has taken jewelry and metalsmithing courses through the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. She received a PMC Instructors Certification with Philadelphia University of Art Instructor, Chris Darway and learned Celia Fago's "tear away" clay papers technique from notable goldsmith Annie Morgan. She has taught basic jewelry fabrication techniques. A member of the PMC Guild, her work is represented locally by The Flying Pig, in Algoma. www.joykruse.com
Art by Accident: Inside and Outside the Box // J. Fred Woell
MM900 • Mon-Wed • July 27-29 • 9am-2pm
Open to All Levels • Found Objects, Metal, Wood
Tuition: Member $340 • Non-Member $365 • plus materials fee
Experience the role of serendipity and chance as a major influence on creativity. Using a wooden box as your platform, Fred will show you how the process of assembling found objects can impact the way you think and feel about the way you make art. Fred will demonstrate the various methods of cold connection that are instrumental in combining mixed media in 2D and 3D works. Learn practical techniques as well as how to take delight in the creative process from a master artist with a wickedly mischievous sense of humor.
J. Fred Woell received an MFA in metalwork at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MFA in sculpture at Cranbrook Academy of Art. His works have been exhibited internationally for over 40 years. He has received three NEA Grants, an American Crafts Council Award and The Society of Arts and Crafts Artist Award. His work was included in the Smithsonian “Archives of American Art.” Fred's work is displayed in prominent collections, both private and in museums--including the American Crafts Museum, Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Racine Art Museum. Fred works from his home studio in Deer Isle, Maine.
Fabrication, Soldering and Precious Metal Clay Techniques // Kay Rashka
JE911 • Thu-Sat • July 30-Aug 1 • 9am-4pm 
Beginner • Metal, Precious Metal Clay
Tuition: Member $340 • Non-Member $365 • plus materials fee
Kay encourages you to create your own designs while learning basic jewelry-making techniques with sterling and fine silver, and Precious Metal Clay (PMC). Through hands-on experience, demonstrations and Kay's success-oriented, confidence-building approach, you'll learn the skills to complete at least one piece of wearable art. Among the techniques covered are: acetylene soldering, forging wire, stamping, piercing and finishing methods. A number of small soldering projects working with PMC enable you to make small and flat, textured charms. The final project is optional, a multi-strand, sterling silver bracelet that incorporates the skills learned in the workshop. See Supply List
After 17 years as a metalsmith, Kay Rashka is still inspired by the feel of silver in her hands and the opportunity to create sculptural pieces with movement. She is schooled in metalsmithing, blacksmithing and ornamental art welding. Kay has taught metalsmithing and jewelry techniques for the past nine years throughout Wisconsin, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Education Department and the Cedarburg Cultural Arts Center. Her work is displayed in the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Museum Store. www.kayrashka.com.
Patterning Mokume-Gane for Wearable Art // Christopher Sklba
JE912 • Mon-Wed • Aug 3-5 • 9am-3pm 
Advanced Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $290 • Non-Member $315 • plus materials fee
Mokume-Gane is a Japanese term meaning wood grain or birdseye metal. In a project of your choosing, Christopher will teach you how to develope patterns in billets of sterling and copper mokume-gane. He will guide you through the techniques for: mokume-gane overlay for surface embellishment, creating a mokume-gane band ring, and mokume-gane for structural elements in fabrication. You can expect to finish a minimum of one piece in this three day workshop, depending on the difficulty of your project(s).
A jeweler for over 25 years, Christopher Sklba is the studio metals and lapidary instructor at the Racine Art Museum. He graduated with a BFA in Drawing from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. He has exhibited in many juried shows and fairs and has received numerous awards, including a "First Place" in the Wisconsin Jewelers Design Competition. Christopher is co-owner, designer and lead metalsmith at Art Metals Studio in Racine. www.artmetalsjewelry.com
Rivets, Hinges and Titanium // Noël Yovovich
JE913 • Thu-Sat • Aug 6-8 • 9am-4:30pm
Advanced Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $360 • Non-Member $385 • plus materials fee
Hinges for movement...Titanium for color...And, rivets for fastening any object without heat. Expand these creative possibilities for your jewelry with Noël. She will demonstrate the use of Titanium in three applications: brush, torch and anodizing. She encourages you to bring small found objects to add dimension to your creations, as you employ the use of rivets and hinges. See Supply List
Noël Yovovich, of Evanston, IL, draws much of her inspiration from her childhood in rural Florida, where she witnessed the colorful lives of performers in traveling circuses and carnivals. She received a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Chicago. Her highly-detailed jewelry is created with the carefully-controlled anodization of titanium, combined with sterling silver, gold, copper, and/or stones. Noël teaches metalsmithing classes at the Evanston Art Center, the Art Center in Highland Park and the Bead & Button Show.
Fold, Form and Finish // Sylvia Youell
JE914 • Mon-Fri • Aug 10-14 • 9am-Noon
Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $240 • Non-Member $265 • plus materials fee
Shape metal into more sculptural forms for adding interest to your jewelry. Syliva will guide you through the techniques of fold forming, die forming, corrugation forming, simple forging, and basic bezel setting of stones. You'll create a piece of jewelry of your choice--with a finish of your choice--be it polished, matte, darkened, or tumbled. Sylvia focuses on fine craftsmanship to produce artwork you'll be proud to wear. This class is for students with some experience in sawing and soldering. See Supply List
See JE907 for faculty biography.
Etching and Fusion of Metal // Hai-Chi Jihn
JE915 • Mon-Wed • Aug 17-19 • 9am-3pm
Advanced Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $290 • Non-Member $315 • plus materials fee
Create one-of-kind patterns on sheet metal for jewelry or small sculpture. Hai-Chi Jihn teaches you how to etch on base metal, and how to fuse on sterling silver and brass. Hai-Chi is sensitive to each student's progress and will actively promote your new knowledge of a process that includes the use of ferric chloride for etching, a laser printer, an iron and torch. You'll leave class with etched patterns on bi-metal sheets for further expression in wearable art. See Supply List
Hai-Chi Jihn's art examines her experience growing up as a Chinese American--reflecting on rites of passage, devotion and struggles. She received an MFA in Metalsmithing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has attended workshops by Fred Fenster and Martha Glowacki. An adjunct professor at Cardinal Stritch University, she has been recognized with many prestigious awards: Graduate of the Last Decade Award, UW-Milwaukee; and an Arts and Industry Residency at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Hai-Chi exibits nationally, as well as in her native Taiwan at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Her work is displayed in both public and private collections.
Hydraulic Beadmaking // Hai-Chi Jihn
JE916 • Thu-Sat • Aug 20-22 • 9am-3pm
Advanced Beginner • Metal
Tuition: Member $290 • Non-Member $315 • plus materials fee
Learn to create special bead shapes, produce chains and findings, and employ finishing techniques with this celebrated metalsmith. Hai-Chi will work with you, side-by-side, to transform the sheet metals of copper, brass, bronze, and sterling or fine silver. The hydraulic press process and conforming die making will be covered. In addition to demonstration and hands-on work, she will do a power point presentation and show some of her finished works for inspiration and discussion. See Supply List
See JE915 for faculty biography.