Silversmithing 1: Three Day with Marilyn Hanson
Level: Beginner. No experience necessary
Class 1: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 4, 5 & 6, 2018
Registration Deadline: April 7, 2018
Class 2: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 11, 12 & 13, 2018
Registration Deadline: April 7, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
This year we are offering two 3-day beginner classes in May. In this class, you will learn all the basics, including how to solder and how to use most of the tools (including power tools). Over the 3 days, you will make a ring, bracelet, and/or pendant while developing all the skills necessary to take your silversmithing to the next level. On the third day, you will continue to develop your skills by making another piece of jewelry of your
choice. Marilyn will have completed pieces as examples for you to look at.
Silver Studio is available to those completing Silversmithing 1.
Tuition: member $180 non-member $195
Supplies: Sterling silver kits will be provided for this class. No outside silver please. Cost ($70-$90) is dependent on the current market price of silver and the number of pieces completed. Stones for the pendant are available for purchase. Students are welcome to bring their own stones. Stones must be flat on the bottom side.
Silver supply is limited. A supplementary $5 Acetylene Fee will be added to the Silver Fee. Both the Acetylene and Silver Fees are paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Marilyn Hanson’s bio.
Silversmithing 1: Two Day with Marilyn Hanson
Level: Beginner. No experience necessary
Date: Saturday & Sunday, September 8 & 9, 2018
Registration Deadline: August 11, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In the 2-day class, students will learn the same basic skills as taught in the 3-day class, including how to solder and how to use most of the tools (including power tools). Over the two days, you will make a ring, bracelet, and/or pendant while helping you develop all the skills necessary to take silversmithing to the next level. Marilyn will have completed pieces as examples for you to look at.
Silver Studio is available to those completing Silversmithing 1.
Tuition: member $130 non-member $145
Supplies: Sterling silver kits will be provided for this class. No outside silver please. Cost ($70-$90) is dependent on the current market price of silver and the number of pieces completed. Stones for the pendant are available for purchase. Students are welcome to bring their own stones. Stones must be flat on the bottom side.
Silver supply is limited. A supplementary $5 Acetylene Fee will be added to the Silver Fee. Both the Acetylene and Silver Fees are paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Marilyn Hanson’s bio.
Silversmithing 2: Three Day with Marilyn Hanson
Pre-requisite: Silversmithing 1 or similar silversmithing experience
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday May 18, 19 & 20, 2018
Registration Deadline: April 7, 2018
Location: Milan Village Arts School
The 3-day class is designed for both intermediate and advanced silver students. The class suits the intermediate student who wants a refresher on beginning silversmithing and then go on to try some new techniques or work on a more intricate design. The class also suits the advanced student with more experience who wishes to work independently on their own designs. Whether intermediate or advanced, creativity is encouraged in this class. We will make a bracelet or two as a class for a refresher and then I will set you up to work independently on a design of your choice.
Silver supply is limited. Contact Marilyn a minimum of 2 weeks ahead of time if you have a special project so that she is sure to order the silver needed. You may choose to do another bezel setting, bracelets, pendants or earrings. We will concentrate on improving your soldering techniques and use of power tools as you create more challenging pieces. Other tools not used in a beginner class but available to try are dappers, form cutters and ring stretchers. There will be a project to use these tools. Come with some ideas or pictures. Marilyn brings completed pieces for you to look at. Stones for bezel setting are available but you may bring your own. No outside silver unless it has previously been purchased at MVAS or you have receipts proving the sterling quality.
Tuition: member $180 non-member $195
Supplies: Cost of supplies ($70-$100) is dependent on the current market price of silver and the number of pieces completed. A supplementary $5 Acetylene Fee will be added to the Silver Fee. Both the Acetylene and Silver Fees are paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Marilyn Hanson’s bio.
Silversmithing 2: Two Day with Marilyn Hanson
Pre-requisite: Silversmithing 1 or similar silversmithing experience
Date: Saturday & Sunday, September 15 & 16, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: August 11, 2018
Location: Milan Village Arts School
The 2-day class is designed for both intermediate and advanced silver students. The class suits the intermediate student who wants a refresher on beginning silversmithing and then go on to try some new techniques or work on a more intricate design. The class also suits the advanced student with more experience who wishes to work independently on their own designs. Whether intermediate or advanced, creativity is encouraged in this class. We will make a bracelet or two as a class for a refresher and then I will set you up to work independently on a design of your choice.
Silver supply is limited. Contact Marilyn a minimum of 2 weeks ahead of time if you have a special project so that she is sure to order the silver needed. You may choose to do another bezel setting, bracelets, pendants or earrings. We will concentrate on improving your soldering techniques and use of power tools as you create more challenging pieces. Other tools not used in a beginner class but available to try are dappers, form cutters and ring stretchers. There will be a project to use these tools. Come with some ideas or pictures. Marilyn brings completed pieces for you to look at. Stones for bezel setting are available but you may bring your own. No outside silver unless it has previously been purchased at MVAS or you have receipts proving the sterling quality.
Tuition: member $130 non-member $145
Supplies: Cost of supplies ($70-$100) is dependent on the current market price of silver and the number of pieces completed. A supplementary $5 Acetylene Fee will be added to the Silver Fee. Both the Acetylene and Silver Fees are paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Marilyn Hanson’s bio.
Precious Metal Clay (PMC): Fine Silver Clay with Kim Bakken-Parr, PMC Certified
Age/Level: Adults, Teens, Beginners and Beyond
Date: Saturday, January 6, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: December 23, 2017
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Learn the basics of working with Precious Metal Clay and how easy it is to design and create beautiful silver earrings, pendants, charms and even how to set stones. The final product is 99.9% pure silver. After rolling and texturing the clay it is cut into a variety of shapes. Drying, filing and firing in a kiln are next. No sawing, hammering or soldering are involved in this class. A patina can be applied after the pieces are polished. If you can work with “Play-Doh” this is the class for you.
All tools are provided. Just bring a bag lunch and ideas for your original creations. Students will leave with their finished pieces at the end of the day.
Tuition:* member $90 non-member $105
Supplies: Supply Fee: $55. Additional material and tools may also be purchased. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
* Students who take both the Precious Metal Clay and PMC: Rings, Rings & Rings classes will get a $20 discount. Member: $160 Non-member: $175
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr’s bio.
PMC: Rings, Rings & Rings with Kim Bakken-Parr, PMC Certified
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: December 23, 2017
Location: Milan Village Arts school
Using Precious Metal Clay (clay composed of silver particles, water and an organic binder) students will be able to create the ring(s) of their dreams. Students initially start working with polymer clay to become familiar with tools, textures and techniques. The clay is rolled, shaped and molded to get the perfect ring. For additional enhancement a man-made stone (CZ) can be incorporated into the pieces. Once the final polymer clay design is decided upon, the students start building their ring on a mandrel using Precious Metal Clay. There is no hammering, sawing or soldering. After the design is finished it is dried and then kiln fired. Polishing and adding a patina are the final step. The final rings are all 99.9% silver and called “fine silver.”
Students who have previous taken this class may enjoy making sculptural rings. This
takes ring design to the next level of difficulty. Learn how to build your rings in
sections before final assembly. This is an exciting option for the advanced student.
Everything is supplied by the instructor for this class. Just bring a lunch and your creativity!
Tuition:* member $90 non-member $105
Supplies: Supply Fee: $55. Additional material and tools may also be purchased. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
* Students who take both the Precious Metal Clay and PMC: Rings, Rings & Rings classes will get a $20 discount. Member: $160 Non-member: $175
Click here to register.
Read Kim Bakken-Parr’s bio.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets with Norma Refsal
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Saturday, February 10, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 27, 2018
Location: Milan Community Center
The indigenous Sami people (in the past, often referred to as Laplanders) can be found in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Many own herds of reindeer, and reindeer husbandry can be a significant part of their livelihood.
Sami artisans create beautiful items using reindeer leather embellished with spun pewter thread. The bracelets we will be making are then fastened with buttons made of shed reindeer antler.
We will work in leather, nickel-free pewter thread and antler, constructing a bracelet that can be finished in a one-day course.
The work is very close hand work and if you need extra magnification, you will need to bring your own.
All tools and supplies will be provided for use during the class. Please bring a thimble.
Tuition: member $85 non-member $100
Supplies: $35. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Norma Refsal’s bio.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets: Advanced with Norma Refsal
Level: Some experience in Sami Bracelet making required.
Date: Sunday, February 11, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 27, 2018
Location: Milan Community Center
Please join me for a day of exploring advanced techniques in Sami bracelet construction.
We will learn to make a double wrap round bracelet with traditional antler button and loop closure. Also during the day, you will learn how to place a design with perfectly straight pewter threads. In this bracelet, straight and secure placement is critical to the success of a pleasing piece of jewelry. If time allows, the embroidery technique will be demonstrated and explained.
The Sami bracelet work is very close and precise and requires good eyesight. If you need extra magnification, please bring it along the day of class.
All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor. Please bring your own thimble.
Tuition: member $85 non-member $100
Supplies: $40. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Norma Refsal’s bio.
Sami Bracelets with Sue Roisen (St. Paul Class)
Level: Beginner and above
Date: Saturday, March 3, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: February 17, 2018
Location: NeDA
88 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul
These are traditional Sami style bracelets using pewter tin thread hand sewn onto reindeer leather. The clasp is a reindeer horn button. Some close hand work is involved. Please bring additional light/magnification.
Tuition: member $60 non-member $75
Supplies: All tools and supplies will be provided. A Supply Fee of $25 is payable to the instructor at the conclusion of the class.
Click here to register.
Read Sue Roisen’s bio.
Silver Studio
In 2010, with the help of a Legacy funded grant, the Milan Village Arts School set about developing a broad-based Studio Program with the aim of providing the facilities and equipment for the ongoing arts education of the school’s members and students. The Silver Studio is the product of this vision.
The Silver Studio is designed to give silversmiths and jewelers the opportunity to access the school’s growing inventory of specialized silversmithing equipment to further develop and improve their silversmithing skills. Meeting on a regular basis, the school provides a welcoming and professional environment for experienced and inspiring artists to network, learn, and create.
For further information or to be added to the Silver Studio email list, please contact the school.
Requirements: Beginner Silversmithing experience and MVAS Membership.
Studio fee: $10 for the evening studio, $20 for an all-day studio.
Students are responsible for their own silver and stones. All other materials, including acetylene, burnishing compound, flux, and pickle are complimentary.
Silver Studio Dates
2017
October 17
November 21
December 12
2018
January 16
February 20
March 20
April 17
May 15
June 19
July 17
August 21
September 18
And on select Saturdays throughout the year. Dates to be announced.