Local students will have the opportunity to explore their creativity in the world of jewelry fabrication on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons or evenings. No prior experience is necessary.

Weekly classes in wax carving and vacuum casting are available on Tuesday afternoons and evenings and Wednesday afternoons only. Learning to carve a wax for earrings and pendants is available for beginners. More advanced jewelry skills are required for those wishing to explore carving a ring in wax. You will need to be able to size a ring with a torch and mount a stone in a setting.

From May through November, the Mountain Metalsmiths School is offering Wednesday evening classes for students wanting to try their hand in cutting stones. Space is limited to 2 students. No experience is necessary.

       In the sixth year of the Mountain Metalsmiths School, we understand that "life happens" as not everyone may not be able to start their sessions at the same time. Therefore, MMSJL is continuing a ROLLING ENROLLMENT POLICY to give everyone the same opportunity to learn. We will keep tabs on your attendance, as students may not be able to attend 8 weeks in a row due to previous commitments. Ruthie periodically exhibits at craft fairs, is teaching and/or demonstrating elsewhere so sometimes class may not be held every week. 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 @ 828-687-7830 or email the school @:ruthie@mmsjl.com
Since it does take time to prepare for the class sessions, we would also appreciate hearing from you by 10 am if you cannot attend a class.

Tuesday class sessions will concentrate on either jewelry fabrication or two skill levels of wax carving and casting. In the jewelry fabrication series, you will explore different jewelry techniques such as soldering, forging, sawing, filing, surface treatments, bezel fabrication, and basic stone setting. No prior experience is necessary.

The other series of classes will involve wax carving, vacuum casting via the lost wax process, which includes finishing the castings for beginners. The more experienced jeweler with stone setting and ring sizing experience via torch, will have the opportunity to learn how to carve a ring in wax, prepare it for vacuum casting via the lost wax process, and finishing the casting, setting a stone, and turning it into a wearable piece of jewelry. If multiples of a ring design are desired; before setting any stones in the finished casting, you will learn mold-making, and how to cut your own molds.

You may pick only ONE class series of 8 sessions at a time. 
TUITION: $480 plus materials or $20 per hour for 24 hours of instruction, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 6 per session

WAX CARVING AND LOST WAX CASTING: For the more experienced jeweler, here's a once a week opportunity to explore the world of lost wax carving and casting. During the 8 class sessions, a jewelry design will be carved in wax, then vacuum cast via the lost wax process, and finished into a wearable piece of jewelry. Before setting any stones, students will learn to make a mold for reproducing the design. Due to the costs of metals jumping up sky high,we will be working ONLY in silver.

JEWELRY FABRICATION CLASS: All skill levels are invited to dive into jewelry fabrication on Wednesday afternoons. Different jewelry techniques and studio safety guidelines will be covered. 

You may pick only ONE class series of 8 sessions at a time. 

TUITION:$480 plus materials or $20 per hour for 24 hours of instruction,  MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 6

The Mountain Metalsmiths School offers yet another opportunity for local students to explore jewelry fabrication if Tuesdays or Wednesday afternoons are not convenient. All skill levels are welcome to attend. Classes are geared to each individual which is why they are kept purposely small. TUITION: $480 plus materials or $20 per hour for 24 hours of instruction. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 6

How would you like to learn to cut and polish stones for your own unique jewelry designs?
Starting on May 23rd at 7 PM, WEDNESDAY EVENING class sessions will also offer an opportunity for you to cut your own pretties from rough material provided by the school.  If you have your own material, bring it in to see what is suitable for cutting into cabochons. TUITION:$480 plus materials or $20 per hour for 24 hrs of instruction, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 2

Besides hosting weekend workshops at the Mountain Metalsmiths School of Jewelry & Lapidary, Ruthie has been asked to periodically share her expertise at the Folk Art Center, the headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. You are welcome to come and observe techniques. Please feel free to ask questions about what you are watching. Ruthie's Demonstration Schedule will be posted at a later date.

Who says you can't design and create beautiful jewelry! Learn to saw, file, hammer, solder, and set stones into unique pieces of wearable art. We will be working in copper, brass, and sterling silver so leave your fears behind and bring your imagination and an open mind. All skill levels are welcome. Good eyesight or magnification is needed. TUITION:$360 plus materials or 18 hours of instruction at $20 per hour.

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.

From necklaces to bracelets- there are many ways to create functional or decorative chains. Copper, brass and silver will be used to fabricate multi-element designs as well as the ancient method of Egyptian chainmaille. Forging, sawing skills, and soldering links together are just some of the techniques to be experienced. All skill levels are welcome. Bring your sharp eyesight or magnification. TUITION:$360 plus materials or $20 per hour for 18 hours of instruction. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS:4

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.

This 3-day workshop gives you an opportunity at the Mountain Metalsmiths School 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 advised if needed. TUITION: $360 plus materials or $20 per hour for 18 hours of instruction, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

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.

Let's jump into the new Leap Year with a 3 day Jewelry Fabrication Celebration!! Beginners will learn to be comfortable with handling various tools such as saws, files, hammers, and the torch in a safe manner. More experienced jewelers will experience the challenge of creating settings for unusual stones. Why not learn to create a basket setting for those over-sized faceted sparklers that are too large for a standard prong setting? Setting drusy without cracking crystals is tough, but Ruthie will show you her "file-setting method" to overcome that hurdle. Good eyesight or magnification is a must. TUITION: $360 plus materials or $20 per hour for 18 hours of instruction. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

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.

Who says you need a torch or glue gun to connect pieces of metal to create unusual and unique jewelry! Explore the world of cold connections with rivets, tabs, tubes, and animated connections. Do you remember that old Felix the Cat clock that hung on your bedroom wall? Spend 2 days tinkering- all skill levels are welcome.Good eyesight or magnification is required. TUITION: $240 plus materials or $20 per hour for 12 hours of instruction. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 4

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.

Periodically, Ruthie has been known to teach at other craft schools. Check out the catalog for the John C. Campbell Folk School. Folk School- browse classes and you will see what we will be teaching that week. Lots of good projects to work on!  Folk School is a great place to tune out the outside world and enjoy the company of other enthusiasts who desire to learn new skills without competition. A warm community embraces all visitors, and good food, too.

Instructors: Ruthie Cohen, David Alberts

Tuition: $508.00

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? Create pendants, bracelets, or earrings in silver with a bit of tool magic and learn low-cost ways to outfit your own jeweler's bench. Stones will also be available for setting. All levels welcome, but good eyesight or magnification is needed.

Strange... You pick up a pebble from a parking lot, driving along a dusty road, you spy an unusual rock lying in a ditch that mysteriously lands in your vehicle or bike bag. Why did that something grab your attention? Treat yourself to a 2 day lapidary workshop and discover the answer.

After selecting rough material, you will cut and shape it into a finished and polished cabochon, 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: $240 plus materials or $20 per hour for 12 hours of instruction, MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 2

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.