Spring Classes for Day & Evening Sessions- Jewelry Fabrication and Lost Wax Casting & Mold Making

Did that New Year's resolution to explore your creativity in the world of jewelry start to waver? Relax!!! STARTING April 1 for the evening session and then afternoon and evening on April 8, there will be two different series of classes going on at the same time. The first series will explore different jewelry techniques such as soldering, forging, sawing, filing, surface treatments, bezel fabrication, and basic stone setting. The second series of classes will explore wax carving, vacuum casting via the lost wax process, finishing the castings, mold-making, and cutting molds. You may pick one class series of 8 sessions. TUITION: $360 PLUS MATERIALS, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 6 PER SESSION

Day Sessions: 1pm to 4pm *** Evening Sessions: 7pm to 10pm

Your 8 Week Sessions Start When You Start

In the second year of the Mountain Metalsmiths School, we understand that life occurs so that everyone may not be able to start their sessions at the same time. Therefore, MMSJL has started a ROLLING ENROLLMENT POLICY to give everyone the same opportunity to learn. Also, students may not be able to attend 8 weeks in a row due to previous commitments. Ruthie is still exhibiting at craft fairs so sometimes class may not be held every week either. Being more USER-FRIENDLY means that you can skip a week if necessary, but your 8 sessions will not be affected. A reasonable extension will be allowed, but not for an indefinite time period.

In case of inclement weather, classes will be cancelled if Buncombe County Schools are closed. If you are not sure, please feel free to contact the school at 828-687-7830

Open Studio Time on Wednesdays

STARTING WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9TH: For the rusty jeweler or for a jeweler in need of bench space, we are offering open studio hours on Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 4 pm and evenings from 7 to 10 pm. You are welcome to explore the various work stations and tools. We encourage you to bring your own materials, however a small selection of materials are available for purchase. Space is limited, so call or email to sign up. TUITION: $8 per hour.

Spring Weekend Workshops
	Morning Sessions: 10am to 1pm *** Afternoon Sessions: 2:30pm to 5:30pm

These hours are designed to give the student a breather between sessions. There are several restaurants nearby to enjoy lunch or feel free to bring your own bagged lunch to eat at school.

May 3-4: A Springtime Present to Yourself - Weekend Workshop in Jewelry Fabrication

Spring is in full bloom and so should that urge to create some beautiful wearable art. Why not let that special someone in your life treat you or why not even treat yourself to a fulfilling and enjoyable 2 day workshop in Jewelry Fabrication. Jewelers with some experience can have the opportunity to bring projects with them to work out the "kinks" while the beginner with little or no experience can learn to SAFELY solder, saw, hammer, file and get comfortable with various tools in a jewelry studio setting. Eye protection is required for this workshop. TUITION: $180 PLUS MATERIALS, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

May 10-11: Beginning Lapidary

The Beginning Lapidary Workshop will teach you how to select rough material, to cut and shape it into a finished and polished stone, ready for mounting. You will learn to use saws and grinders throughout the entire cutting process. It is highly recommended that you wear old clothes, bring a waterproof apron and eye protection. You may supply your own materials or purchase rough from the school. TUITION: $180 PLUS MATERIALS, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

A Great Lapidary Opportunity
	This is a great opportunity for the lapidary student. There is a neat gem and mineral show,the G&LW show,being held in Franklin, NC from May 9-11. Why not go to the show and acquire some rough to cut in class? Check out their website www.glwshows.com for further info. They have quite an extensive list of shows at Tuscon and other locations during the year.

May 23-25: Carve It and Cast It

This 3-day workshop will give you an opportunity to carve a wax jewelry design utilizing burs,files,and even dental tools! You will learn to prepare the wax for casting,vacuum cast the design,and clean the casting to create a finished piece of jewelry to take home. We will not be using stones in this workshop so don't worry about having to set a stone in your jewelry design. Just bring your imagination and comfortable clothes. Eye magnification is optional. TUITION: $270 PLUS MATERIALS, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

August 9-10: Rock 'n Roll with Lapidary

How would you like to learn to cut and polish stones for your own unique jewelry designs? This Lapidary Workshop will teach you how to select rough material, to cut and shape it into a finished and polished stone, ready for mounting. You will learn to use saws and grinders throughout the entire cutting process. It is highly recommended that you wear old clothes, bring a waterproof apron and eye protection. You may supply your own materials or purchase rough from the school. TUITION: $180 PLUS MATERIALS, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

Demonstrations and Workshops Elsewhere
	Ruthie has been asked to share her expertise at other locations. You are welcome to come and observe techniques. Please feel free to ask questions about what you are watching.

April 14- 17 Gatlinburg, TN
	Ruthie will be demonstrating jewelry fabrication techniques including stone setting at Arrowcraft Shop on the grounds of the Arrowmont School. This gallery is part of the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild. Check out this link for further information. http//www.southernhighlandcraftguild.com/shop.php

June 10-15 Asheville, NC
	Welcome to the Folk Art Center, the headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 382 in Asheville, NC. Ruthie will be demonstrating inside the main entrance. Soldering, forging, and stone-setting are just some of the techniques that will be demonstrated.

June 22- 28 John C. Campbell Folk School

Located in Brasstown NC, the Folk School has again invited Ruthie to be a guest instructor. If you want an unforgettable experience of living for a short time in an atmosphere of pure learning, laughing, friendship, dancing, singing,and great food, try this school out! Ruthie's class: "I Made It Myself!" should prove to be successful in teaching you new skills and sharpening the techniques you already know. For more information about the JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL, go to their website: www.folkschool.org

"Have you imagined a piece of jewelry in your head, but lack the skills to create it yourself? Or maybe your silversmithing skills are WAY too rusty? Here's an opportunity to explore what you can create in silver with the magic of tools. You'll even learn some low-cost ways to outfit your own jeweler's bench. Stones will be available for those who do not have them. All levels welcome, but good eyesight or magnification is needed."