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Dates: Nov 22
Times: Sat 9am-5pm with one hour lunch
Level: Some metalsmithing experience is required
Membership Price: $196 (Members use discount code MEMBERS10 at checkout to receive 10% off)
$65 materials fee to be collected by the instructor at the beginning of class. Cash is appreciated.
Workshop Description:
This immersive, day-long workshop introduces the fundamentals of tube setting and prong setting calibrated faceted stones using commercially available settings. The morning session will include a detailed demonstration of setting techniques, followed by guided hands-on practice with stones and settings provided by the instructor.
After a midday break, the focus shifts to custom work: participants will learn how to design and fabricate settings for non-calibrated, uniquely cut stones that require a more tailored approach. Students are encouraged to bring their own stones or settings to work on during the second half of the class.
This workshop is ideal for those looking to expand their stone-setting skills and gain confidence working with both standard and non-standard gemstones.
Some metalsmithing experience is required.
About the Instructor:
Nancy Gardner received a BA in design, concentration in metalsmithing, from the University of New York at Buffalo. During the last two years of University Gardner studied in Europe where she gained a high degree of technical education, learning old world gold smithing from master craftspeople in Italy and Portugal and participating in numerous international shows. After graduating she taught jewelry/metal arts fabrication in Lisbon until 1985. Gardner later moved to Mendocino, California where she continues designing and producing hand fabricated silver and gold jewelry. In November of 2001 she opened The Mendocino Jewelry Studio, a gallery on Main street in Mendocino CA. Much of her work still reflects the European influences of fine craftsmanship and ageless elegance.
Gardner has been teaching metal smithing at the Mendocino Art Center, various community colleges and other centers for over 20 years. In September of 2023 she received a certificate of
appreciation from the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild for her time and talent in the advance of the art of Metal Smithing and related techniques.
Required Materials:
eye protection
apron
dust mask
Optional Materials:
any hand tools you may have
any setting tools that you may have