Sorry, 2nd try to send class info as a distinct email ,not as part of any
other thread .
The Gem Cutter’s Guild of Baltimore is offering four classes during March
and April 2017:
Working with Wax
With Shelley Walck
March 4 & 11, 2017
Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm (12 hours)
Deadline: February 25, 2017
Tuition: $120
Materials Fee: $10 which must be paid to the instructor at the first class
session.
Maximum of 8 Students.
Beginners welcome.
You will learn to work with sheet wax as well as hard carving wax. Shelley
will bring tools to share and punches to stimulate your creativity. You will
leave with 2 or 3 finished projects. If you have a stone or cab you want to
set later, bring it and you’ll learn how to incorporate the bezel on your
carved ring. You will make a ring or small pendant initially; more if you
chose. Once you complete one or more projects on the first day of class,
Shelley will take them to cast before the following week’s class where she
will teach how to finish you project. You may want to carve during the week
before the second class as well.
Bring your Exacto knife if you have one, but it isn’t necessary.
Instructor will bring tools to share, and some special tools for purchase
for those who are interested. Students pay for their cast projects; cost
depends on number of pieces and the type of metal you chose ($6 to 10 per
cast project is typical). You may bring in your sterling silver scraps to
use if you wish.
Lapidary One
With Richard Meszler
Successful Completion certifies GCG Members to use specific Lapidary
Equipment
March 25 & 26, 2017
Sat & Sun 10AM - 4 PM (12 hours)
Deadline: March 20, 2017
Tuition: $120
Materials Fee: $15 which must be paid to the instructor at the first class
session.
Maximum of 6 students
(Beginner Level) This class is an introduction to the basics of cutting and
polishing gemstone cabochons. You will learn how to form cabochons of
several shapes from slabs of stones such as agates, jaspers and more. We
will explore gems and minerals in the rough state & learn about tools and
equipment used in the lapidary arts. You may bring your own stones to class
for discussion. An Optivisor is recommended.
Anodic Painting in the Abstract
With Marti Brown
April 1, 2017 - Saturday 10:00 to 5:00 with a 1-hour break for lunch
Registration Deadline: March 24, 2017
Tuition $70.00
Materials Fee: $65.00… Includes 2 feet of 20 gauge un-anodized niobium
wire, 2 feet of 18 gauge un-anodized niobium wire, 3"x3" of 26 gauge
un-anodized niobium sheet, a 3m Sanding Pad, seed beads and 2 small lamp
work beads
Technology, chemistry, physics and art come together when you anodize
niobium. Cut, file, and sand shapes as you learn to work with niobium wire
and sheet. Students will learn anodic brush painting of abstract patterns
using two styles of paintbrushes. Normal paintbrushes are adapted to attach
to the anodizer and conduct electricity. Students can go home with three to
four pairs of earrings or other pieces as time permits.
Jewelry Fabrication I
With Irene Woo
Successful Completion certifies GCG Members to use specific GCG Shop Areas
Saturdays April 8, 15, 22, 29 2017, 10 am - 4 pm (24 hours)
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2017
Tuition: $240
Materials fee: $25 (saw blades, base metal, consumables)
Maximum of 8 students
(Beginner-Advanced beginner level)
Students will learn piercing (sawing), basic metal texturing, soldering,
filing, sanding, finishing, and proper bezel-setting of a cabochon.
Workspace setup will also be covered. You will use the above skills to
design and make a pair of post earrings, a simple textured ring, and a
pendant with a bezel-set cabochon. Students can bring in their own silver
sheets, wires or cabochons to use for their projects, or these may be
purchased from the instructor during class. An Optivisor is recommended.
The Gem Cutter’s Guild of Baltimore is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
dedicated to advancing knowledge of the earth sciences, lapidary skills,
metalsmithing, and jewelry fabrication. The Guild is a founding member of
the Eastern Mineralogical & Lapidary Societies (EFMLS) and is affiliated
with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).
Classes are offered at our workshop at Meadow Mill at Woodberry. Plenty of
free parking is available. Baltimore’s Light Rail stops at the Meadow Mill
complex. Hotel accommodations very nearby at the Radisson in the Village of
Cross Keys, Falls Road.
3600 Clipper Mill Road
Suite 116
Baltimore, MD 21211
Contact: classes@gemcuttersguild.com
