Silversmithing 1: Three Day with Marilyn Hanson
Age/Level: Beginner. No experience necessary. Minimum age 16
Class 1: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 7, 8 & 9, 2027
Registration Deadline: March 27, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
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 $195 non-member $210
Supplies: Sterling silver kits will be provided for this class. No outside silver please. Cost ($120) 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 $10 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 Kyle Anderson
Age/Level: Beginner. No experience necessary. Minimum age 16
Class 1: Saturday & Sunday
Date: September 11 & 12, 2027
Registration Deadline: July 31, 2027
Class 2: Saturday & Sunday
Date: September 18 & 19, 2027
Registration Deadline: August 7, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
This 2-day class is an introductory class that will help you appreciate what it takes to make meaningful pieces of jewelry. We will begin by emphasizing safety and will work our way through selecting materials, understanding design, learning fabricating techniques, and finish by using appropriate polishing methods. For our first project, we will be creating a simple ring. This “simple” ring will introduce you to the importance of measuring accurately, using various hand tools and power tools, and applying fundamental soldering techniques. The second project we will be creating is a focal piece that may be used for a necklace or pendant. In addition to applying what we learned from our first project, we will also learn how to make and set bezels for our focal pieces. The last project is a chance for you to apply what you’ve learned from the first two projects and create another similar item, or you can step outside your comfort and design your own unique piece.
Silver Studio is available to those completing Silversmithing 1.
Tuition: member $150 non-member $165
Supplies: Sterling silver kits will be provided for the class. Cost is dependent upon the current market price of silver and the number of pieces completed. A supplementary $10 Acetylene Fee will be added to the silver fee.
All fees are to be paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class. Stones for pendants are available for purchase, or students may bring in their own stones.
Suggestions and Requirements: 1) Bring any necessary reading glasses or cheaters; 2) Masks are optional but encouraged for those who have respiratory concerns; 3) cut out any pictures or bookmark any Pinterest projects that have captured your interest; and lastly, 4) wear
footwear that covers your entire foot.
Click here to register.
Read Kyle Anderson’s bio.
Silversmithing 2: Three Day with Marilyn Hanson
Age/Level: Minimum age 16.
Pre-requisite: Silversmithing 1 or similar silversmithing experience.
Class 1: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 14, 15 & 16, 2027
Registration Deadline: April 3, 2027
Class 2: Friday through Sunday
Date: May 21, 22 & 23, 2027
Registration Deadline: April 10, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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 $195 non-member $210
Supplies: Cost of supplies ($120) is dependent on the current market price of silver and the number of pieces completed. A supplementary $10 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.
Cabochons: An Introduction to Lapidary with Kyle Anderson
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Class 1: Saturday
Date: February 13, 2027
Registration Deadline: January 23, 2027
Class 2: Sunday
Date: February 14, 2027
Registration Deadline: January 23, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, students will learn how to cut and polish cabochon stones that can be used to make functional pieces of jewelry such as earrings, pendants, bracelets, or rings. The first part of class will be used to introduce the equipment and techniques necessary to produce an oval cabochon which can be used as a focal piece for a necklace or pendant. The second part of the class will be open for students to pursue their own interests and give them an opportunity to refine their skills.
Tuition: member $95 non-member $110
Supplies: Everything is supplied by the instructor. The instructor will provide a selection of stones for the original cabochon. Additional stones for individual projects will be available for purchase and costs range from $10 – $100
Click here to register.
Read Kyle Anderson’s bio.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets: Beginners’ Class with Kathy Nardi
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 14
Date: Saturday, April 3, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2027
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 $95 non-member $110
Supplies: $35 The supply fee is paid to the instructor
at the beginning of class.
Click here to register.
Read Kathy Nardi’s bio.
Viking Knit Bracelet with Kathy Nardi
Age/Level: Beginners and above. Minimum age 14.
Date: Sunday, April 4, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2027
Location: Milan Community Center
Viking Knitting is an ancient tubular knitting method employed by the Vikings even before the traditional knitting style was developed using fiber as well as metal. Students will learn the fundamentals of the Viking Knit method, practicing first with copper wire and then have the option to complete the project in copper or to switch to sterling silver wire. The material cost will be reflective of that decision. Students will complete a bracelet in this class. If time permits, we can discuss/experiment, in copper, with the variations of wire and mandrel size, the number of wire loops, and weaving styles.
Tuition: member $95 non-member $110
Supplies: Supply Fee: $25 – $35 The fee is dependent on the materials used and the market price at the time of the class. The instructor may change the supply fee prior to class due to the volatility of the silver market. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
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.
2026 Dates: November 5, 6 & 7
2027 Dates: November 4, 5 & 6 – Students must complete the Silversmithing 2 class to register.
For further information or to be added to the Silver Studio email list, please contact the school.
Requirements: Advanced students only.
Studio fee: $45 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 7 students.
If the class is full, please contact the school to be put on a Waiting List. Spaces often open up late.