Best Silversmithing Classes in NYC
Silversmithing is the technique of fabricating unique handmade items out of silver such as jewelry, utensils, cups, vases, trophies, and other metal items. Both a fine art and a profitable trade, silversmithing can result in beautiful works of art as well as items that have everyday uses such as kitchenware. Silversmithing is an ancient craft that has been used for centuries and was at its height as a trade in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe and the American colonies. By the mid-1800s, silversmithing had made its way to the American Southwest where the Navajo were using the art of working metal to create exquisite jewelry and useful everyday items.
Many modern silversmiths apply their metalworking skills to create one-of-a-kind jewelry like necklaces, rings, bracelets, pins, and other wearable pieces. In the art of jewelry silversmithing, silversmiths begin with a silver metal sheet or wire and then cut, shape, solder, and polish it into a beautiful piece of jewelry. The tools used in silversmithing vary depending on what you are creating, but standard supplies include files, pliers, hammers, polishing tools, vices, and a heat source to melt the silver or metal and make it malleable.
Why You Should Learn Silversmithing in NYC
Silversmithing is an impressive skill to master as well as a fun stress-reducing hobby. If you are looking for a way to be productive in your spare time, silversmithing will provide you with a way to create unique and beautiful jewelry or other items for yourself or to gift to others. Learning silversmithing will provide you with a sense of accomplishment as you acquire all the skills you need to design and fabricate your own own-of-a-kind silver pieces.
In addition to the beautiful items you will create, learning silversmithing will connect you to a larger community of artists and metalworkers who share ideas and industry knowledge with each other. The Society of American Silversmiths (SAS) was founded in 1989 as the country's only organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of silversmithing. Its members consist of skilled silversmiths with exceptional technical and design skills, as well as students who are just beginning to pave their way in the art of silversmithing. SAS provides silversmith experts and students with support such as networking opportunities and better access to the silversmithing market, including a unique referral service that commissions silver items. Hobbyists and artisans may also be able to find local silversmith groups that gather in-person and online through social media, for example, the Metalsmith Society on Instagram, a jewelry-making community founded in 2018 where jewelers of all levels connect and share information.
Learning silversmithing and networking with other metalsmiths can also help you build a profitable side hustle or full-time job. Many silversmiths sell their handmade jewelry on websites like Etsy and Amazon Handmade, as well as artisan jewelry or craft stores. You can also find job opportunities at various businesses, from small local jewelry stores to larger jewelry and kitchenware companies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jewelers or precious stone metal workers had a median average wage of 46,640 in 2021.
In-Person Silversmithing Classes & Schools in NYC
If you are in the New York City area, there are a number of silversmithing and metalsmithing classes you can take. NYC has a variety of classes taught by expert silversmiths who will teach you all the techniques you need to know to make your own jewelry and other artistic pieces from start to finish.
A beginner-friendly class for ages 14 and older, Jewelry Making - Silver Package offered by Alzerina Jewelry teaches individuals how to create their own beaded jewelry. In this 90-minute single-session class, participants learn an introduction to beading, wire looping, wire wrapping, and other basic jewelry construction techniques. The class is designed for both casual hobbyists and individuals looking to get into the artisan jewelry-making business. Located in Midwood, Brooklyn, Alzerina Jewelry is a designer jewelry company owned and operated by jewelry and clothing designer Alzerina Gomes. Alzerina Jewelry, known for incorporating Swarovski elements into their designs, can be found in fashion magazines and has been worn by a variety of celebrity clients.
To develop an in-depth knowledge of silversmithing, individuals can attend Intro to Silversmithing offered by the 92nd Street Y in the Upper East Side. In this five-session course for ages 18 and older, students will learn the basics of raising, sinking, and forging copper and sterling silver as they make a small bowl and bangle or other jewelry pieces. See the course description for a full list of supplies needed for this beginner-friendly class.
Another beginner-friendly class offered by 92nd Street Y is the Absolute Beginner Jewelry Intensive. Consisting of five six-hour sessions, this class provides students with all the fundamental skills needed for creating handmade jewelry. Students will learn techniques such as how to use a jeweler's saw, annealing, texturing, filing, sanding, polishing, forming, and soldering, as well as how to set cabochon gemstones in the rings they get to keep. See the course description for a full list of supplies needed.
The 92nd Street Y is a cultural and community center that offers a diverse range of classes and programs for all ages taught by talented professionals. A proudly Jewish organization, 92Y welcomes people of all ages, races, faiths, and backgrounds while championing family values, self-improvement, and giving back to the community. The community center is located in Manhattan and is wheelchair accessible.
Individuals who want to learn silversmithing can also attend The Art of Metalsmithing Jewelry Design at the NYC Jewelry Lab, open to all skill levels. This class consists of five four-hour sessions in which students will learn about designing and creating handmade jewelry, such as how to use studio tools and different fabrication techniques for working with metals. Students will be taught silversmithing skills from how to draw their designs and develop concepts to using the tools and equipment to create their one-of-a-kind pieces. A certificate of completion will be issued after completing the class and a list of materials for students to purchase is provided; basic metalsmithing tools will be provided by the studio.
The NYC Jewelry Lab by Carolina Iwanow in Williamsburg, Brooklyn offers a variety of jewelry classes and workshops in which students can learn metalsmithing skills such as design, handcrafting techniques, and how to use modern tools. The studio strives to be as green as possible by avoiding hazardous chemicals in its jewelry making.
Another silversmithing class in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is Introduction to Silversmithing offered by Liloveve. This six-week class for beginners ages 18 and older introduces students to the skills and techniques required for crafting handmade jewelry. Students will become familiar with basic studio tools and fabrication techniques for silversmithing and will be introduced to all aspects of the jewelry industry including trade references and supplier resources.
Another class offered by Liloveve, the Ring Making Intensive workshop teaches beginners how to create a set of sterling rings for themselves or as a gift for someone special. In this three-hour class, students will learn basic jewelry-making techniques such as how to saw, file, and texturize their rings with a hammer, as well as soldering techniques using a torch flame. Students can choose either a high polish, an oxidized look, or a brushed finish for their rings. All the necessary silversmithing tools are provided by the studio and students are encouraged to bring their ideas and sketches for the rings they would like to create.
A boutique jewelry studio located in an artistic neighborhood, Liloveve offers jewelry classes and workshops for all skill levels that combine a focus on design and creativity with the technical aspects of silversmithing. Liloveve has been a fully operational jewelry school since 2009.
For another silversmithing class in the New York area, EatMetal, Inc. in Hoboken, New Jersey offers the DIY Textured Sterling Silver Rings class. In this 2.5-hour class for adults of all skill levels, participants will learn how to design and create a custom sterling silver ring band. Students will learn basic silversmithing techniques such as forming, hammering textures, soldering, and finishing. All materials and tools are included in the cost of the workshop and the rings are yours to keep. EatMetal, Inc. is a one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry gallery, store, and school, offering unique heirloom and bespoke jewelry as well as classes and workshops provided by jewelry artist and silversmith Elizabeth Tokoly.
Individuals in New York looking for a private workshop experience can book the four-hour Silversmithing course offered by Fitzgerald Jewelry in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In this class for beginners ages 18 and older, all the attention will be given to you as the only student and lessons can be customized to create projects of your choosing. You will learn basic techniques of silversmithing such as sawing, soldering, annealing, hammering, filing, texturizing, and finishing – culminating in a ring that is uniquely yours. The sterling silver and general tools needed will be provided.
Couples who want to create their own wedding bands or relationship rings can book the Wedding Bands Workshop (Couple Rings) also offered by Fitzgerald Jewelry. In this two-day private workshop for ages 18 and older, couples will work with an expert instructor to either fabricate or carve in wax to cast their own wedding bands. The first session consists of making a silver or wax model of the rings, while the second day will be spent cleaning and polishing the castings. The rings will be cast in any metal of the couple's choosing (students are responsible for purchasing materials at wholesale price).
Beginner silversmiths can also book the Stackable Rings class offered by Fitzgerald Jewelry. In a private two-hour class, students will fabricate their own stackable rings using various silversmithing techniques taught to them by an expert instructor. Private lessons are subject to the instructor's availability and a date and time can be worked out that fits the student and silversmith's schedule.
Fitzgerald Jewelry is a gallery, school, and store located on Grand Street in Brooklyn, an area abound with boutiques and unique arts and craft stores. The gallery features collections from local, national, and international artists as well as award-winning jewelry by designers Michael Fitzgerald and Hiroyo Fitzgerald. The Fitzgerald Jewelry School is for both the casual hobbyist and the more career-oriented student. The classes range from beginner silversmithing to the art of goldsmithing and emphasize the art of handmade jewelry while also providing industry knowledge for mass production jewelry.
Brooklyn is also home to Bushwick Jewelry Casting, a studio owned by metalsmith Scott Alexander Fowler that provides casting needs for both small and large projects. Individuals can complete casting projects from start to finish with the wide variety of tools and equipment available in the workshop. Bushwick Jewelry Casting offers Intro to Jewelry Casting, a four-session course for all skill levels ages 18 and older. In this class, students will learn about the technique of lost-wax carving, a unique process to make silver and gold jewelry by which a metal object is cast from a wax model.
Jewelry Arts Inc. in Midtown East, Manhattan offers Enameling Intensive with Valerie Blum for enamelists of all skill levels. In this five-session workshop, students will learn enameling for fine jewelry, delving into vitreous enamel techniques such as cloisonne, champleve, and plique-a-jour on silver or gold. Participants are encouraged to bring work-in-progress or develop their skills from projects learned during the workshop.
An art studio and teaching workshop, Jewelry Arts Inc. provides personalized instruction by expert jewelers with a team-teaching approach that results in a student-teacher ratio of 4 or 5 to 1. The studio provides a variety of equipment and tools for students to use, such as rolling mills, hammers, drawplates, lapidary equipment, draw benches, flexible shafts, anvils, and grinding and polishing equipment.
In Murray Hill, Manhattan, the Benlolo Studio offers Jewelry Design/Making for all skill levels ages 18 and older. In this four-session class, students will make a ring or pendant while learning jewelry-making techniques such as creating wax molds for casting into metal, fabricating in gold and silver, setting stones, and identifying gemstones and diamonds. After completing the beginner course, students can advance to the intermediate and advanced classes taught by world-class jeweler David Benlolo.
The Benolo Studio was founded in 2003 by David Benlolo, a gifted jewelry designer who has been creating art in NYC for over 20 years. The studio offers jewelry-making and design classes for enthusiasts of skill levels, whether you are a couple looking to forge your own wedding bands, an aspiring jewelry designer hoping to launch your own line, or a hobbyist exploring your creative side. The studio is located across from the Empire State Building and is fully equipped with everything you need to make your own jewelry.
Virtual Silversmithing Classes & Schools
While in-person silversmithing classes are mainly offered at jewelry studios, workshops, and art centers, virtual classes are conducted online and can therefore be taken from anywhere. Online silversmithing classes allow you the freedom to create in your own workspace and save you from having to commute to a physical location. Conducted live online, virtual silversmithing classes allow you to ask questions and receive feedback in real-time, just as you would with an in-person course.
The drawback, however, is that you will likely have to provide your own materials and equipment when taking an online class. This can be particularly challenging for learning silversmithing since there are a significant amount of tools required. However, if you already have your own tools or are planning to purchase them anyway, taking a virtual class is a great way to familiarize yourself with your own equipment.
If an online silversmithing class isn't currently available, there are plenty of virtual art classes you can take to inspire your creative side. For instance, Love & Make offers Virtual Bath Bomb Making for all skill levels ages nine and older. In this one-hour workshop conducted live online students will learn how to make their own bath bombs based on the Love & Make Bath Bomb DIY kit that can be ordered through Love & Make's online shop. Participants can also use their own materials they have gathered.
For another creative arts class, StrudelmediaLive offers Make a Photobook with One Sheet of Paper for all skill levels ages 18 and older. In this two-hour workshop taught by book artist Elizabeth Castaldo, students will learn how to form their artwork into a mini-book that is ideal for presenting photos or other artwork. Participants will learn how to create a mini-zine by laying out their content and folding a single sheet of paper. The only supplies required are a sheet of letter-sized paper and scissors.
La Pittura Art Studio offers Paint a Tote Bag Party online for all skill levels ages 21 and older. In this two-hour class, participants will paint their own canvas tote bag using a DIY kit that is shipped in advance. The craft kit includes a canvas tote bag, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and a disposable apron. The instructor will guide students as they develop their painting skills and customize their bags with their own unique touches.
Private Group Silversmithing Classes in NYC
Are you looking for a fun team-building event for your business or organization? CourseHorse offers silversmithing classes for private groups in NYC that are perfect for building camaraderie and encouraging co-worker interaction. Even if CourseHorse doesn't currently have a silversmithing class listed on their website, they may be able to provide it for your group. You can reach out via the contact form on their website to learn more about your options.
Groups that are interested in jewelry-making can book CourseHorse's Virtual Polymer Clay Jewelry class. In this 90-minute class for groups of up to 500 people, participants will learn how to create their own unique clay jewelry that can be as simple or as intricate as they choose. A professional artist and instructor will teach basic techniques such as rolling out slabs and creating beautiful flowers. All materials will be shipped to each participant including 42 bars of oven-bake molding clay in various colors, five sculpting tools, and accessories for earrings and keychains.
If your group is looking for a beginner-friendly and low-pressure creative class they can book the Virtual Candle Making course offered by CourseHorse. In this one-hour class for groups of up to 250 people, participants will learn how to make environmentally friendly soy or beeswax candles using a kit that is shipped to them. The candle-making kit includes a small melting or pouring pitcher, a stir stick, wax chips for two candles, two candle tins, two wicks, two clothespins, a wick adhesive, candle labels, and fragrance oil.
For another hands-on creative class, your group can book Virtual Clay Hand Building for groups of up to 500 people. In this two-hour workshop, participants will learn basic pottery hand-building techniques as they create a planter or candleholder to display in their homes. The air-dry clay that will be used simplifies things since it does not need to be dried in a kiln. All materials are shipped to each participant including two pounds of professional-grade air-drying clay and a variety of ceramic clay tools.
Booking with CourseHorse is simple and stress-free as there are no booking fees to pay and a confirmation will be sent within 24 hours of booking. Also, CourseHorse provides you the flexibility you need by allowing you to change your group size after booking. If you need to use a video conferencing platform other than Zoom, such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or Webex, CourseHorse can make accommodations. The engaging and professional instructors provide a fun and interesting environment that your group will love.
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