Silversmithing 1: Three Day with Marilyn Hanson
Age/Level: Beginner. No experience necessary. Minimum age 16
Class 1: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 3, 4 & 5, 2024
Registration Deadline: March 23, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Class 2: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 10, 11 & 12, 2024
Registration Deadline: March 30, 2024
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 ($80-$110) 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. Please bring your reading glasses or cheaters as some of the work is quite fine.
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
Age/Level: Beginner. No experience necessary. Minimum age 16
Date: Saturday & Sunday, September 7 & 8, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: July 27, 2024
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 ($80-$110) 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. Please bring your reading glasses or cheaters as some of the work is quite fine.
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
Age/Level: Pre-requisite: Silversmithing 1 or similar silversmithing experience. Minimum age 16.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday May 17, 18 & 19, 2024
Registration Deadline: April 6, 2024
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 Marilyn 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.
If you want to add pearls or gemstones to your jewelry using wire or o rings, please bring them to class.
Tuition: member $180 non-member $195
Supplies: Cost of supplies ($80-$110) 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. Please bring your reading glasses or cheaters as some of the work is quite fine.
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
Age/Level: Pre-requisite: Silversmithing 1 or similar silversmithing experience. Minimum age 16.
Date: Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: August 3, 2024
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.
If you want to add pearls or gemstones to your jewelry using wire or o rings, please bring them to class.
Tuition: member $130 non-member $145
Supplies: Cost of supplies ($80-$110) 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. Please bring your reading glasses or cheaters as some of the work is quite fine.
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.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets with Kathy Nardi
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 14
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30, 2024
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. If you are accustomed to using a thimble, bring it along.
Tuition: member $85 non-member $100
Supplies: $35 The supply fee is paid to the instructor
at the beginning of class.
Click here to register.
Read Kathy Nardi’s bio.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets: Continuation Class with Kathy Nardi
Age/Level: Some experience in Sami Bracelet making required. Minimum age 14.
Date: Sunday, April 21, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30, 2024
Location: Milan Community Center.
Join Kathy for a day of continuation, making Sami-inspired bracelets that go beyond the traditional 3-braid. There will be several designs to choose from. This class will give each student the opportunity to choose and personalize a style of bracelet they want to make.
All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor.
It is close work so be sure to bring along any extra magnification and lighting you are accustomed to using as well as your favorite thimble.
Tuition: member $85 non-member $100
Supplies: $50. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the
beginning of class.
Click here to register.
Read Kathy Nardi’s bio.
ZigZag Bracelet with Kathy Nardi
Age/Level: Beginner and above. No experience necessary. Minimum age 14
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: October 28, 2023
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, the students will be using leather as a base for this double strand seed bead bracelet. One bracelet is included in the tuition. Students are welcome to make additional bracelets as time allows.
Cost will vary due to supplies used. Sterling silver beads and rings will be an option if the instructor is notified at least three weeks prior to class. Cost of sterling fluctuates greatly but plan on a minimum of $70-$100. As it gets closer to the class, a better estimate can be given. Students are encouraged to bring a pair of pliers (flat nose, chain nose, or bent chain nose) if they have them. The instructor will also have some on hand. MVAS also has a supply of pliers.
Tuition: member $60 non-member $75
Supplies: The cost of the bracelet is included in the tuition. Those students wanting to use sterling silver beads and rings will pay an additional Supply Fee to the instructor.
Click here to register.
Read Kathy Nardi’s bio.
Silver Studio
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 Saturdays, the school provides a welcoming and professional environment for experienced and inspiring artists to network, learn, and create.
2024 Dates to be determined.
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: $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.
All Silversmithing Classes:
Due to the high demand for the Silversmithing classes and the limited spaces available, students are required to pay on registration. Students may drop out of the class prior to the Registration Deadline and receive a refund minus the cancellation fee. Please note that the Registration Deadline for Silversmithing classes is 6 weeks prior to the class. The instructor requires this extra time to order silver.
Silversmithing requires each student has their own work station. Each class can hold a maximum of 6 students.
If the class is full, please contact the school to be put on a Waiting List. Spaces often open up late.