The Jewelry & Fine Metals Studio added a full slate of new classes this month, from a beginner-friendly bench skills track to specialized lapidary and enameling workshops. Whether you’re picking up a torch for the first time or looking to deepen an existing skill, there’s a class here for you.

Rock Swap and Shop

Free Community Event: Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 AM – 1 PM

Bring your extra rocks, beads, tools, and lapidary odds and ends to trade or give away, and dig through what other makers bring, too. It’s BARN’s favorite treasure hunt, free and open to rock hounds, beginners, and curious neighbors alike.

Peruse vendor tables where artists and rockhounds trade or sell rough rock, slabs, cabs, minerals, fossils, lapidary supplies, tools, and other rock-related items. Lion Punch Forge will also be joining us! If you have cool rocks you’d like to give away to other enthusiasts, bring them downstairs to the Community Swap Table to share!

Free, but registration is required. Check in at the door to get your wristband. You’ll need it to enter the Great Room and see the live demos. Speaking of live demos, here’s the schedule:

  • 11 – 11:15 AM: Rock cutting and shaping.
  • 11:45 AM – 12 PM: Rock cutting and shaping.
    • 12:30 – 12:45 PM: Rock cutting and shaping demo.
  •  Event Schedule
      • The Great Room: 10 AM – 1 PM. Swap and shop the vendor tables.
      • The Commons: 10 AM – 1 PM. Community swap table.
      • Jewelry & Fine Metals Studio: Live demos 11 AM – 12:45 PM

Classes We Think You’ll Love

Hydraulic Press: Add Texture and Dimension to Jewelry

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 26 – 27, 10 – 2:30 PM: Create three-dimensional shapes from textured metal using acrylic dies in a hydraulic press. It’s a fast, satisfying way to add dramatic texture to pendants, earrings, and more, with no soldering required.

Introduction to Jewelry Skills

2 meetings, beginning Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 AM – 4:30 PM: Get comfortable with the fundamental tools and techniques of the jewelry bench, from sawing and filing to basic soldering. A great first stop if you’re brand new to metalwork.

Introduction to Enameling: Opaques

Friday, Nov. 13, 10 AM – 3 PM: Learn to fuse opaque enamel onto metal for bold, saturated color. You’ll leave with a solid foundation in enameling basics and a few finished pieces to show for it.

Lapidary Series: Intarsia – Designing with Stone

Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 AM – 3 PM: Piece together cut stone like a mosaic to design your own intarsia work. A wonderful way to dig deeper into lapidary if you’ve already got some stone-cutting basics under your belt.

Introduction to Jewelry Soldering

Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 AM – 3 PM: Build confidence with a torch as you learn the soldering techniques that hold jewelry together. A must for anyone ready to move past glue and jump rings.

Meaningful Gemstone Bracelets

Friday, Dec. 4, 9 AM – 12 PM: Explore the potential healing properties of gemstones and choose stones to make personalized bracelets to keep or gift.

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