ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN METALSMITHS SCHOOL OF JEWELRY The Mountain Metalsmiths School of Jewelry, located just south of Asheville NC, provides a location to teach those who wish to develop jewelry skills in a non-competitive, supportive environment. After many years of traveling to craft fairs all over the country, Ruthie Cohen, a self-taught jeweler, decided it was time to slow down and devote more energy into "paying it forward" by opening up a jewelry school in April, 2006. The school is geared towards the individual student, whether a raw beginner, a struggling apprentice, someone who needs to learn a particular skill, try out a tool before purchasing, or even the rusty jeweler who hasn't created anything in 20 years! This school does NOT teach with kits or class projects. Every student works on their own under the guidance of two experienced jewelers/teachers. 2024 WEEKLY CLASSES START ON TUESDAY, FEB 6 CLASSES AT THE MOUNTAIN METALSMITHS SCHOOL WEEKLY CLASSES are set up so that everyone has the same opportunity to learn within a professional jewelry studio setting with a CURRENT maximum enrollment of 4 students. You may choose to take a class on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays, afternoons from 1-4pm or evenings from 7-10 pm. The classes are held one day a week for 8 weeks at a cost of $22.50 per hour or $540 for 24 hours of instruction plus a $7 lab fee for consumables. Students are encouraged to bring their own metal and stones or they may purchase metal, stones, or tools provided by the school. Students will be exposed to various techniques such as sawing, soldering, forging, polishing and stone setting. You can explore surface techniques with a rolling mill, hydraulic press, reticulation, creating various textures and chasing and repose'. For those jewelers with some experience who wish to broaden their abilities, come try wax carving or experience fusion welding with the Orion Pulse Arc Miniature Tig Welders. Think of taking class here and getting INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION with two teachers. You may be a novice sitting next to a more experienced student. What an opportunity to learn more! Please be advised that we do not teach via class projects or work with kits. Everyone will be working on their own pieces at the same time. WEEKEND WORKSHOPS are geared for either local students who don't have time to commit to 8 weeks of classes or for students from out of the area. For those of you who do not live in the Asheville NC area, why not take an extra day or two to explore the beauty and culture of Western North Carolina. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, sample the local cuisine, visit the many galleries of Asheville and the surrounding towns! |