Art & Design Summer Workshops

Working in Steel for Jewelers

Dates June 17–18 | Tue-Wed 6–9 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $165
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Kenilworth Square East, B61
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Capacity: 12

Steel, the other white metal, is cheap, strong, light and easy to find. Take this workshop for a crash course in working with this versatile material in your jewelry practice! We will focus on basic forging techniques, brass and silver brazing, cutting, TIG and mini torch welding, Plus finishing techniques, patina, paint and powdercoat.

Enameling Basics: Create a Colorful Piece of Jewelry

Dates June 19–20 | Thur-Fri 6–9 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $165
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 12

In this two-evening workshop you will learn how to use vitreous enamel to create images, color-scapes, patterns and words on copper to create a piece of jewelry.

Handmade Pet Tags

Dates: June 21 | Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $75
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 14

In this Saturday workshop you will learn how to cut, stamp, and finish a custom tag for your precious pet. Participants can make as many tags as they’d like and leave whenever they are completed or stay for the entire time to make your tag a masterpiece.

Basic Metal Forming: Make a Copper Cuff

Dates: June 24–25 | Tue–Wed 4–8 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $165
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 14

In this two-night workshop you will learn the basics of coppersmithing and metal forming. You will learn how to cut, shape, and hammer copper into functional and wearable objects such as: bracelets, cuffs, napkin holders and art objects.

Making a Ring with a Stone

Dates: June 26–27 | Thur–Fri 4–8 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $165
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 12

In this two-evening workshop you will learn basic skills in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing world. Learn how to texture metal, pierce holes, saw out shapes, solder, make a bezel and set a stone!

Blacksmithing Basics- Making a Forged Bracelet

Dates: June 28 | Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $75
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Kenilworth Building, KSE B61
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 14

In this one-day workshop you will learn the basics of blacksmithing to make a wearable bracelet. You will learn basic forging, twisting, tapering and more, no experience needed, great for couples, friends, and family!  

High Temp Soldering Jewelry Intensive

Dates: July 7–11 | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $360
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Capacity: 12

This workshop/course will focus on basic high temperature jewelry soldering techniques with an emphasis on chain making and basic stone setting. You will learn how to use multiple torches with several different materials such as copper, brass, and silver. You will practice and explore numerous chain and link styles, various textural and finishing techniques to make beautiful handmade chains, set stones and other jewelry objects.

Lost Wax Casting: Make a Cast Silver Ring

Dates: July 14–18 | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $360
For-credit Course: 1 credit (ART 279/479)
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner to Intermediate (soldering workshop recommended)
Capacity: 14

In this one-week workshop students will be introduced to the ancient method of lost wax casting from start to finish. Demonstrations of wax carving, investment, kiln burnouts, and cleaning up casts. All participants will receive silver, wax, and investment and be exposed to many other bench skills.

Open Studio Workshop

Dates: Aug 2–3 | Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $100
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Main Campus, ART 391
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Capacity: 12

This opportunity is available to anyone having taken a workshop this or last summer who would like a studio day or two to work on projects in the company of UWM Jewelry & Metalsmithing stewards. There will be no instruction or material distribution. Metalsmithing guidance and studio consumables are available.

Introduction to Blacksmithing: Decorative Utensils for Daily Life

Dates: Aug 11–15 | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $360
For-credit Course: 1 credit (ART 279/479)
Instructor: Erica A. Meier
Location: Kenilworth Building, KSE B61
Level: Beginner (no experience necessary)
Capacity: 10

In this workshop students will use etched steel and brass sheet, basic fabrication, and forging techniques to create a pair of heirloom quality utensils for daily life (functional spatulas, strainers, choppers, or sculptural utensils). Decorative custom etched steel plates will be provided to create and enhance utensils and numerous beginner techniques will be covered, including cold and hot forming (forging, sinking, basic sheet fabrication), cold and hot connections (riveting, silver or brass brazing), and finishing (sanding, filing, texture).