Private In Studio Silversmith lessons for yourself, couples & friends. Vancouver Burnaby BC

Private silversmith lessons in a studio setting. 
Great for learning the basics for yourself, or a fun day with a friend.
Fun with Couples & Friends & Family

Sterling Silver Rings with round stone cabochon can usually be done in one day with 1 or 2 people. But for a deeper understanding regarding soldering, safety, using your jewellers saw & file effectively, adding textures, sweat soldering additional pieces to your ring and more, a second day is essential, especially with 2 people. If you already have some experience, please email me so we can discuss your options. 

Tuesday to Friday available from 10:30 to 4:30 with a 30 minutes lunch.
Most weekends are booked until February 2026, but there is still bookable times 
during the weekdays for December. January & February weekdays have lots of space. 
Metal and gems are at additional cost. Please email for more information. Studio is in Burnaby. 

For your first project you will learn to fabricate a silver ring with a round cabochon. All supplies, tools and materials are supplied with your registration except for silver and any stones. All silver used in this class must be quality sheet, wire and bezel. Please do not pre-buy from Amazon, Etsy etc. 

Many people have stones they would like to use, but for your first project its best to have a uniform shape within specific guidelines for your best chance of success. You can spread your jewellery wings on your second piece. 

We can look at all of your ideas and I can give you support to problem solve a tricky cabochon setting, understanding torches, gas, solder types and troubleshoot your soldering issues. We can keep things simple or branch out quite creatively, its up to you! 

Learning to use your own scrap in casting ingots to roll into sheet and wire stock: 
If you want to learn how to use your own scrap into ingots you will need to buy specific tools in order to learn how to prepare & maintain them properly and safely. Please email me for information.

Preparation for learning to cast your own scraps for casting please carefully read the following:

System of metal storage:

For each metal type do the following: (925 Sterling Silver, .999 fine Silver, Argentium or similar Silver, 14K yellow, 14k white etc) Although some .999 silver entering your 925 Sterling containers isn't an issue, putting 925 into your .999 silver is a problem. 

All containers should be clearly labeled and have a good lid. Sardine cans, metal film containers, anything with a very good seal and dependable lid. You don't want the lid to come off while travelling to your lesson.  Used plastic food containers, plastic bags are not good for this system.  I buy sealable movie makeup containers in various sizes at Coast Fibretek in Burnaby. Lots of great supplies there! 

https://fibertek.ca/products/2-5oz-nat-hinge-top-short-wide (smaller version) 

Container 1: Clean scrap you have never soldered or cast.  example, saw off pieces, disc cutting scraps. must be clean. 

Container 2: Failed fabrication or unwanted cast pieces. All solder must be removed into container 3. Pickle, cut, sand off any solder and debris. dry and store. 

Container 3: Sweeps (sterling dust and debris from your desk, floor etc) Solder cut away from failed pieces. This is not combinable. 

Container 4: clean dust from sawing and filing. Use a clean paper or vinyl catch to deposit directly in the container. Use this in future projects. Can be used to amplify the percentage of container 1 if you don't have clean scraps but you must pre melt into blobs on a charcoal block, pickle etc. 

For successful ingots to roll into sheet and wire, you must combine equally container 1 & 2 at 50%. A good scale is necessary. Any contamination of solder can ruin your hard work. Be meticulous with your metal storage. If in doubt, put into container 3. When it gets to the kilogram weight you can send it in to be refined. 

Accessibility and inclusion?

My private lessons and classes are all disability and a LGBTQ2+ Safe Place. Please let me know if you require any accommodations. I am an ASL user.

For sand casting with or without stones, please see the
separate class listing for sand casting classes.