Crystals, Shells, and Bottles Oh my!

Cathleen Leveque, Instructor
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10:00-3:00p
Class Fee: $85.00

Cathleen Leveque is a Laguna Beach local who has been making soldered bottles for many years. A seasoned artist who is inspired by the past, present and future, Cathleen transforms vintage bottles, blown glass, crystals, shells and more into beautiful one of a kind art bottles. Come learn under her direction and let her inspire you to create beautiful things as well. While our bottles won't be as elaborate as those shown here, you will have the option of working with supplied crystals and shells in a variety of basic designs. Think outside of the box and bring a few lone earrings, necklaces, brass or copper filigree pieces, ornament, or perhaps an old brooch. Cathleen will be happy to show you how these can be incorporated into your work. 

Supplies & Tools:

one or two bottles under 10 inches in height, soldering iron & solder, scissors, an old cookie sheet to work on, an old hand towel or two, and any special elements you want to add

All class fees are prepaid, and non-refundable. Contact class manager Dede Warren at 714-757-0558 to reserve your place in this class. You may also reserve your place in person at the store by check, cash or credit card, or via phone with your credit card at 714-680-8893. Call us if you need assistance...we'll be happy to help!

Pas De Deux

Connie Freedman & Dede Warren, Instructors
Saturday, May 11, 2013, 10:00-4:00p
Class Fee: $85.00

Connie Freedman and Dede Warren have been friends for years and both have a love of vintage elements and handmade jewelry. We are so excited to offer this much requested class with a focus on jewelry design. With an amazing eye for design, Connie will share her process in working with vintage and new elements, as she helps each of you designing a necklace using the pieces you've collected. Dede will teach the basics of  jewelry construction as you connect these elements through wire-wrapping, crimp beads and wire, or simple jump rings. With two teachers and a very limited class size each of you will leave with not only a finished necklace, but also a good base for designing and assembling future works. Feel free to bring up to three focal piece and lets spend the day creating fabulous jewelry! Connie and Dede will have a generous supply kit for each of you, and Nancy will have a variety of found objects available for purchase, should you need a little something special for your piece.

Supplies & Tools:

Bring basic jewelry pliers & cutters, 1-3 focal pieces, beads, pearls or gemstones, small lengths of chain, and any special pieces you'd like to add, sterling silver wire (if desired)

All class fees are prepaid, and non-refundable. Contact class manager Dede Warren at 714-757-0558 to reserve your place in this class. You may also reserve your place in person at the store by check, cash or credit card, or via phone with your credit card at 714-680-8893. Call us if you need assistance...we'll be happy to help!

Loving the Layers!

Nancy Jamar, Instructor
Sunday, August 11, 2013, 10:00-3:00p
Class Fee: $75.00, all inclusive 

Great workshop for beginning rivet tool students who want to explore more applications for this sensational tool, or for newbies who want to try it on for size and see if they like it. You'll make this beautiful cuff bracelet, composed of a vintage brass and steel cuff bracelet paired with a beautiful crown bezel in brass, and side embellishments from Gilding's inventory of pewter and brass. You'll complete two bracelet bases during class, and then we'll send them off for plating in rich sterling. Our sample is shown gently aged with our gold and silver darkener.

Choose from images from my library you can trap under glass domes, or select beautiful faceted German rauten stones to be the centerpiece of your cuff...or do one of each! When your pieces come back from the plater, you'll pick them up at the store and finish them by setting your focals and crimping the bezels.

Tools and supplies: Bring basic jewelry tools to class that include pliers (flat and round nose) and cutters. If you have shaping pliers or a rivet tool, please bring them, too. We'll be using two sizes of shaping pliers to size the cuffs, and will try to have all these, including the rivet tools and supplies, on sale that day at class. We can also take orders for the rivet tools and supplies.

Your class includes: Two cuff bases, two bezels, four embellishment pieces, and your choice of glass domes and images and/or faceted cabochons, and plating of your items, which should take 1-2 weeks to complete. We will have at least two rivet tools and vises on hand to use, and your riveting supplies are also included.

All class fees are prepaid, and non-refundable. Contact class manager Dede Warren at 714-757-0558 to reserve your place in this class. You may also reserve your place in person at the store by check, cash or credit card, or via phone with your credit card at 714-680-8893. Call us if you need assistance...we'll be happy to help!