Workshops

Take Your Jewelry Crafting to the Next Level with Vancouver Island Art Workshops!

Mountain Gems is a proud sponsor of Kelly Allanson's 5 Day Intensive Silversmithing Workshop in Nanaimo.

5 Projects, in 5 Days.

Each Student leaves with finished projects and the knowledge to comfortably repeat them on their own.

All skill levels are welcome, you can have no experience or be a seasoned jewelry and still find you leave class feeling like you'd increased your knowledge base.

Everything is supplied for you. Just come ready for a fun filled week of creativity and exploration in the world of metalsmithing. All tools and materials are supplied and available for purchase through Mountain Gems during these intensive workshops.

Follow the link to see each project individually and for more sign up info. Can't wait to see you there!

2 Sessions available:

March 19-23

March 26-30

This fun, hollow formed sterling silver pendant has a little secret!

Besides having a stunning silhouette with cut outs on both sides, it actually opens and can hold a little treasure. This locket is pressure fit and secured with a bail that doubles as a clasp. If you don't want to make a locket, leave it as a precious decorative jewelry box for on top of your dresser.

Saturdays, 10:30-4:30pm
$245 + GST for the course

plus materials for the project

Students will NOT be required to purchase a tool kit. The studio supplies tool kits for weekend Silversmithing for use in the workshops.

Must have a taken a beginner silversmithing workshop before.

Having taken a beginner silversmithing is recommended and encourage, but not necessary if you are comfortable learning at a fast pace.

Students will only be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects during the workshop.

Instructors: Kelly Allanson

This is the perfect class for those that can't commit to an 8 week class but want to learn everything. During these 2 full days, students focus on fabricating a Bezel Set Sterling Silver Ring. Everyone will get a good understanding for torch use and other key fabrication techniques when it comes to Silversmithing. Through the two days, students will learn easy hammer texturing, bezel setting for a cabochon, forming, filing and polishing.

Saturday & Sunday, 10:30-4:30pm 

$245 + GST for the course

Students will NOT be required to purchase a tool kit. The studio supplies tool kits for weekend Silversmithing for use in the workshops.

Students will only be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects during the workshop.

Once you have taken one of our beginner Silversmithing workshops you are able to sign up for any of the intermediate classes.

Instructor: Laurie Emerslund

Adjustable, funky and fun. This ring will have you all wrapped up!

Learn how to create great textures using reticulation silver and then turn it in to a playful ring that wraps around your finger. These rings are great for adjusting the size to fit the person on an as need basis.

Once you have created the ring band, students will have the option of adding a bezel set cabochon stone for a focal point. They can choose from round, oval or teardrop for this class.

Finally students will decide if they'd like to leave their project with a high shine or patina it to make their reticulated texture stand out.

Saturday, 10:30-4:30pm

$145 + GST for the course

Students will NOT be required to purchase a tool kit. The studio supplies tool kits for use during all of the weekend Silversmithing classes.

Students will only be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects during the workshop.

Instructor: Kelly Allanson

This cute little trio is fun and easy to make. Perfect for someone just building their skills in jewelry making.

Students will spend the day creating and forming leaves by folding and hammer texturing either silver or copper sheet into three dimensional leaves. Once they have created their leaves, they will be able to add up to 3 cabochons on the pieces.

Sunday, 10:30-4:30pm 

$145 + GST for the course

Students will NOT be required to purchase a tool kit. The studio supplies tool kits for weekend Silversmithing for use in the workshops.

Students will only be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects during the workshop.

Once you have taken one of our beginner Silversmithing workshops you are able to sign up for any of the intermediate classes.

Instructor: Laurie Emerslund

Make this Mother's Day a special Day.

Spend a couple of hours making custom beaded bracelets with one another and learning about the meanings of the stones. Make them for yourselves or for each other. Its all all about making lasting memories with the one you love.

Students will learn about colour balance, meanings of the gemstone beads and how to imbue intentions in the 2 bracelets they make. Our fabulous instructor will also show students how to add scented oils to their bracelets.

Along with colour palettes with stones, students will also learn about different types of stringing material and which ones work best and why. Once everyone has made their bracelets they will learn the best way to finish it off so the join is obscured from view but still secure.

Students will have a wide selection of 6mm gemstone beads to choose from within their kit fees for 2 beaded bracelets. If they would like to include any golf filled/ sterling silver or copper beads, these can be purchased separately.

This class is perfect for the beginner and caters to small class sizes with lots of one on one instruction. Please call 604-298-5883 for more info or to sign up for one of our classes.

Sunday, 10:30am- 12:30pm
$55 + GST for the course

Students will be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects done during the workshop

Material Kit $35

Instructor: Laurie Emerslund

Fun and stylish, these cute little stacking rings level up your setting skills.

This is a great class, for learning a quick and easy way to set faceted stones with prongs, without have to fabricate a full basket setting. This style creates a secure, low profile setting that is secure and versatile.

Next up is the Tension Set ring. This little beauty, it's subtle yet adds a little sparkle to your stack of rings. Easy to do with minimal effort.

And finally we have the braided ring. Lots of fun, simple to execute and brings dimension to the stack of rings.

All three rings compliment one another nicely either in pairs or trios. Students will have a large selection of stones to choose from to make their rings unique to them.

Saturday & Sunday, 10:30-4:30pm

$245 + GST for the course

Students will NOT be required to purchase a tool kit. The studio supplies tool kits for use during all of the weekend Silversmithing classes.

Students will only be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects during the workshop.

Once you have taken one of our beginner Silversmithing workshops you are able to sign up for any of the intermediate classes.

Instructor: Kelly Allanson

Create something a little bit different in this class. Learn to make small flower embellishments and piece them together in a way that suits you.

Not feeling like soldering is your strong point? This class is what you need.

We will focused on torch work and forming 3 dimension objects. Through close guidance from your instructor we will build and fabricate a number of small flowers and solder them onto an open split shank.

Lots of great skills will be covered in this one day class and you will leave with the cutest ring ever!

Saturday, 10:30-4:30pm

$145 + GST for the course

Students will NOT be required to purchase a tool kit. The studio supplies tool kits for use during all of the weekend Silversmithing classes.

Students will only be required to purchase any materials used for individual projects during the workshop.

Once you have taken one of our beginner Silversmithing workshops you are able to sign up for any of the intermediate classes.

Instructor: Kelly Allanson