(From Left to Right, designs are by: Dale "Cougar" Armstrong; Mitzi McCartha; Karen Flowers)

Class Schedule:

NOTE: if you are member of the Fifty Forward Center, class fees are 50% of the non-member fees

How to read this schedule:  Example: Silver Jewelry

Experience Level - ALL means anyone can take the class   Level - ADVANCED means you must be have all the basic skills plus a little more

Class starts 01/04, a Wednesday.  It starts at 1:00 PM.  8 students are allowed in this class.  It is 6 classes for 2 hours each. (12 total hours)

If you are a member of the Center, the class fee is $25, if you are a non-member class fee is $50.

There is a $20 maintenance fee and a required kit fee of $25 that is payable to the instructor when you show up at the beginning of the class. (cash or check only)

The total cost for a Center member is $70 ($25 class fee + $20 maintenance + $25 kit fee = $70)

The total cost for a non-Center member is $95 ($50 class fee + $20 maintenance + $25 kit fee = $95)

Note: A Kit is a set of required tools/material provided by the instructor that is needed to participate in the class

Some classes do not have a set "kit" fee.  These classes do have a material costs, that cost will depend on how much you wish to spend.

Most of our classes are 6, 8 or 12 weeks in length. (Lapidary is 12, 2 hours classes or 24 hours of instruction) One/two/three day classes are special event classes.

Lapidary  Supplies $2 and up

Lapidary is the art of cutting and polishing stones.  The student will learn how to cut gemstones, using specialty saw and grinders to shape the gemstone into cabochons (cabs) that can be set into commercial jewelry, or can be used in wire wrapping or silversmithing projects.  Students will be provided with their first slab (a slice of agate or jasper).  Student may bring their own gemstone and instructors will have other slabs and gemstones available for the student to purchase.  Day and night classes are 2- 3 hours long, offered each week for the 3 month quarter.  You should cut a number of gemstones during the quarter.  Your instructor will help you learn what to look for in gemstones and how best to orient them into a beautiful design.   

Silver Jewelry   Supplies $25 and up

In this class you will learn the art of silversmithing or fabricating silver into beautiful jewelry.  Using an acetylene gas torch you will learn the fine art of soldering, and basic jewelry design. For new silversmiths you will learn the basics which include the proper way to handle a torch, how to use various hand tools and basic jewelry design.  For the more advanced or retuning students you will learn new techniques and have the ability to complete your own designs and projects. Instructors will have silver and other materials available for students to purchase.    Each instructor will teach his or her methods and designs.  As you advance you will be given the option to advance to more challenging projects.  You may purchase gemstones and/or silver from the instructor or bring your own, except where the instructor teaches different projects in class.

Advanced Silver Jewelry  Supplies $25 and up depends on project being taught

Silver Jewelry and/or prior silversmithing experience is required to take this class.  Students will learn advanced techniques in silversmithing and jewelry design.  Instructors will have silver and other materials available for students to purchase.  Some advance classes will be offered where specific design elements are used to learn a specific project like inlay, bracelets, chain, necklaces, bolos, etc.  Most of these classes will be offered during a weekend or as a weeklong class.

Faceting of Gem Stones  Supplies $2 and up

Faceting is the art of cutting gem stones to look like diamonds, so that it gathers light and then sends it back to the viewer.  You will learn to use a faceting machine.  The beginning student will learn the basics and use simple material and design to cut their first stone.  During this process you will learn the proper use of the faceting machine, how to read a facet diagram, and various tricks of the trade. These techniques can then be used by the student to cut semi-precious and precious gem stones. 

Cold Connections  Kit fee $30

In jewelry construction, cold connection refers to any technique that does not require soldering to join components.  Cold connection will allow you create jewelry without a lot of specialized equipment and tools and in a smaller space.  Methods of cold connections including, wire wrapping, riveting, folding, pinning, and using screws and nuts. Metals may be mixed (copper, silver, brass) and the use of “found” object may be included in the jewelry making process. 

Scrimshaw  Kit fee $30

Scrimshaw is the name given to handiwork created by whalers, originally done on done on the bone and teeth of whales.  This class will be an introduction into the art form of scrimshaw.  

Some background information, types of materials available for scrimshaw and tools will be discussed.  Resources will be discussed as well.

Students will learn the basic of two methods to transfer a pattern onto working surface, cutting techniques for scrimshaw, such as cross hatching and stipple.  They will have the opportunity to try and complete 2 projects working on corian, a manmade substitute material for ivory.

Students need to bring either an optivisor or pair of cheater reading glasses for magnification in 1.25 power or better.

A notebook for taking notes

An old white t-shirt or t-shirt rags

A beanbag if they have it

Rings, Rings and Earrings too!!  Kit Fee $50 and up

In this advanced class, you will focus on making:  1. An adjustable ring, using nickel silver and copper to practice on and then a ring made using sterling silver 12-14 gauge wire.  2.  Make a pair of hoop earrings of nickel silver, using texturing hammer, solder jump rings, shape hoop, solder, and finish.  3.  Make a spinner ring, using nickel silver to practice, sizing, soldering, texturing and finishing.  4. Make a ring shank with bezel cup soldered on, finishing, and setting of gemstone.  5. Resizing of rings, learn how to stretch a shank and reduce size by cutting and soldering. The projects for this class will involve use of chasing hammer, ring sizing with mandrel, soldering, use of jewelers saw, filing, finishing and polishing, making bezel cup, setting stones, and texturing with hammers.

Channel Inlay Kit Fee $50 and up

This advanced class combines both Lapidary and Silversmithing skills to produce incredible jewelry items. 

John Martin

Director of Schools

President - Donelson Chapter of MTGMS

(615) 210-5385

Mid-Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  Each year Mid-Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. continues to advance its mission of promoting the scientific study of physical and historical geology; the appreciation and preservation of rocks and minerals; to learn and perpetuate the lapidary arts and to increase the knowledge of members and the community in the earth sciences and lapidary arts.

Beginning Jewelry Basics

Wire Artistry

Check out Dale Armstrong's website and contact her to set up classes in creative wire techniques: www.cougarscreations.com

PMC and Dichroic Glass

Visit Sam Roh's website at: Designs By Sylvanye  You can learn to use PMC and fuse glass--all using the Microwave Kiln (which is also sold at Stardust Designs Bead Shoppe--we'll also carry PMC and some supplies) Here are some of her other websites:

Microwave Kiln Helpdesk

Sylvanye Roh's Facebook Page

Bead Weaving

Brenda Northern: Willing to teach weaving techniques such as Square Stitich, Peyote (odd/even count), Right Angle Weave, and more. Contact her for private classes at (615) 491-8747.

Lampwork and Glass Crafting

Check out Glasscraft: Your resource for all your lampworking needs. Classes can be found here too.

Metalsmithing

Take some classes from a master: Thomas Mann:  http://www.thomasmann.com/

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