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Masters Series

Studying with a master is a great way to learn. Master Series classes at Brookfield Craft Center are taught by artists that are both highly skilled in their craft and exceptional teachers. From beginners to advanced, students will find classes for every skill level.

MASTERS SERIES: Bladesmithing for All Levels

MASTERS SERIES: Bladesmithing for All Levels

Tuition $300.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Joe Szilaski

MB1413 Jun 8-9, 2013 (10am - 5pm) Saturday/Sunday (The Good Forge)

From kitchen cutlery to a hunting knife, create a custom knife of your own design from start to finish. This 2-day course is designed to accommodate both beginners with no previous forging experience and skilled metalsmiths who wish to study under Joe Szilaski, a nationally-recognized, award-winning knifemaker. Topics to be covered include blade function and design, selection of steel, forging and safety. Students will learn the techniques of forging a blade to shape at low temperature and gain hands-on experience using a gas forge. Techniques of differential heat treatment and its importance will also be discussed. This class is dedicated to the forging and heat treating of a blade and includes discussion on how to properly handle your knife. A studio/materials fee of $40 for creating one knife is due at time of registration. Materials for each additional knife made can be purchased through the instructor. Students under age 18, please call for details.

VISITING MASTERS SERIES: Faux Bone w/Robert Dancik at Brookfield Craft Center

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Faux Bone

Tuition $240.00

Beginner and up
Robert Dancik

JP0513 June 29 & 30, 2013 (10a - 5p) Saturday/Sunday (Metals Studio, Mill Building)

In this very hands-on workshop, we will explore Faux Bone™, a new, friendly and extremely versatile material. Faux Bone™ can be cut, and carved, sawn and sanded. It can be filed, hammered, polished, drilled, stamped, inlayed, dyed, and painted. It can look like ivory, have the patina of aged ceramic, or be polished to a pure white. You can heat and bend it with nothing more than a small embossing heat-gun. It is so strong you can rivet on it, die form right into it, or hammer metal around it. Faux Bone™ is perfect for artwork as varied as jewelry and book making, sculpture, or printmaking. Being nearly unbreakable, it’s also perfect for forming tools, tool handles and jigs. It can be easily embossed to make texture plates for metal clay and basket makers can use it to simulate Scrimshaw on the tops of Nantucket Baskets. In this workshop, we will explore these possibilities and more. Students can expect to leave with a at least one finished piece of Faux Bone jewelry and several examples. There will be a $35 materials fee, payable at the time of registration, which will include 1 piece each of 1/16”, 1/8”, and 1/4” x8” Faux Bone™.

VISITING MASTER SERIES: 10 Essential Cuts

Tuition $240.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Keith Tompkins

WT2013 July 13 & 14, 2013 (10am - 5pm) Sat/Sun (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

Turning pro Keith Tompkins designed this specialty course to eliminate the trial-and-error method of learning to turn, thus dramatically shortening a student’s learning curve. This course will benefit new turners as well as those with some experience. Over the weekend, students will explore the cuts that should be an essential part of every woodturner's skill set—this includes spindle turning as well as bowl-turning cuts. Tools covered will be the bowl gouge, spindle gouge, and the infamous skew chisel. Students will first learn to sharpen these tools, and then master the ten most important cuts that will solve many common woodturning problems, such as torn grain and catches. By learning and applying these essential cuts, each student can expect to experience a large boost in their confidence level, as well as an immediate improvement in the quality of their work. Students can expect to bring home at least two completed projects, including a spindle turning and a bowl form. A studio/materials fee of $25 is due at time of registration.

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Non-Conforming Dies + Embossing with the Hydraulic Press

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Non-Conforming Dies + Embossing with the Hydraulic Press

Tuition $120.00

Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joanne Conant

s JF1613 jULY 20, 2013 (10am-5pm) Saturday (Jewelry Studio, Mill Building)

Learn to make your own dies, and explore embossing. Use hydraulics instead of muscle power to create one of a kind pieces, multiples of the same unit, or variations of texture. This one-day workshop will focus on use of the hydraulic press with Matrix and Embossing dies. These dies can be made with a jewelers saw and carbide burs. A Matrix die creates forms that are perfectly matching opposites which are great for earrings and pendants. Embossing adds texture to the surface of the metal and provides a relief design that can be flat or domed. Experiment with the dies to create one-of-a-kind pieces, multiples of the same unit, or variations of texture on the unit which can be used in conjunction with each other for a bracelet or necklace. Some basic knowledge of jewelry making is helpful, but no prior hydraulic press experience is necessary. A $20 studio/materials fee covers the cost of 32 ga. copper and use of tools. Students are asked to supply sheets of copper, die blanks and punch blanks. See Materials List tab above for complete materials and ordering information.

Have FUN making your own Spoons

Tuition $240.00

All Levelsr
Joy Raskin

JF1813 July 27 & 28, 2013 (10am-5pm) Saturday/Sunday (Jewelry Studio, Mill Building)

Spoons and Utensils are surprisingly easy to make. We will make a simple spoon using wire for the handle and a piece of sheet metal that we dome to make a spoon bowl and then solder onto the wire handle. In a few hours or a day, you can have your own custom-made spoon! Hammer textures will be covered to show various ways of shaping and texturing metal. Utensils such as salad servers, serving spoons, measuring spoon, 3- piece flatware (folk, knife, spoon)) will be covered. 12g to 20 g sheet metal and think wire 2g to 12g will be used. A studio/materials fee of $60 will be charged at the time of registration.

MASTERS SERIES: Design and Detail: Stringer Control and Modular Design Principals

MASTER SERIES: Design + Detail: Stringer Control + Modular Design Principles

Tuition $350.00

FEATURED WORKSHOP We expect this visiting master's class to sell-out!
Intermediate, Advanced
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Holly Cooper

GL0613 Aug 3-4, 2013 (10am - 5pm) Saturday/Sunday (Glass Studio, Railroad Building)

Visiting Master Instructor Holly Cooper comes to BCC from Austin, TX to help give your glass beads intricate detail. This intermediate workshop focuses on stringer control and design. The class will concentrate on using stringers to create intricate detailed patterns on glass beads while in the flame. Methods that aid in promoting individuality in our work by taking technique and design beyond the usual boundaries and toward a more personal style will be discussed.

Part of the session Holly Cooper will show how she manipulates fine stringers using simple tools and techniques, and discuss the properties of glass as it relates to the making of stringers that hold a highly detailed pattern.
Holly will also demonstrate and discuss surface design elements such as: rhythmic pattern, negative and positive space, color, scale and proportion, texture, bead shape and it’s relationship to the design and modular pattern development.

Enroll early to be reserve your spot--class size is limited to 8. A studio/materials fee is TBA.

VISITING MASTERS SERIES: Art of the Finial

Tuition $240.00

Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Keith Tompkins

WT2113 August 10 & 11, 2013 (10am - 5pm) Saturday/Sunday (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

A well turned finial can be the finishing touch to turned boxes and hollow forms, and are considered by many tobe the epitome of the turning craft. The class will cover the cutting techniques required, as well as proper sharpening techniques, for creating visually exciting finials. This hands-on class will cover traditional spindle turning techniques such as creating beads and coves using the spindle gouge and skew chisel, and will reveal methods for turning long, slender turnings. The class will also explore design concepts, and will help remove the mystery of turning great finials. Students can expect to leave this class with several elegantly turned finials, suitable to enhance their very best work. The techniques learned can be applied to their other turned work as well. A studio/materials fee of $20 is due at time of registration.

MASTERS SERIES: Spend the Day with Ashley Harwood

Tuition $75.00

All Levels
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Ashley Harwood

NEW DATE! WT0813 Oct 13, 2013 (9am - 5pm) Sunday (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

We are pleased to welcome rising star Ashley Harwood to our turning studio for a full-day demo on Sunday October 13th. Ashley comes to us from Charleston, South Carolina, traveling all over the US to teach and demonstrate her turning techniques, which include sharpening tools by hand. She demonstrated at both the 2011 and 2012 American Association of Woodturners National Symposiums, and we are excited to have Ashley make a stop on her tour at BCC. Lunch is included during a mid-day break. Space is limited to 25 participants for this unique experience. Don't wait to register...we expect a sell-out.

Knitting, Weaving and More with Wire w/Joy Raskin at Brookfield Craft Center

Knitting, Weaving and More with Wire

Tuition $240.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joy Raskin

JF2113 September 14 & 15, 2013 (10am-5pm) Sat/Sun (Jewelry Studio, Mill Building)

Wire is such a fascinating, flexible medium that you can do so much with it. We will coil, wrap, tinker, weave, twine, braid, crotchet, knit, twist and much more to make all kinds of fabulous jewelry and accessories. Wire is not just confined to jewelry, but can be used to make vessels, baskets, lampshades and other wonderful home accessories. Even sculpture can be created with wire. Knitted chains such as Viking chain and Egyptian Spiral will be covered and basic wire chain designs. Findings such as making your own earwires and clasps will be covered as well. Best of all, it's low-tech and does not require a lot of fancy tools to work with. A couple of pliers, wire cutters, masking tape, a Sharpie marker, a mallet, a steel square and a ruler is pretty much what you need. We will be using colored copper wire, brass, bronze, nickel and silver wire. A studio/materials fee of $35 is due at time of registration.

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Enameling on Metal w/ Joanne Conant

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Enameling on Metal

Tuition $120.00

Beginner, Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joanne Conant

JE0513 November 2 , 2013 (10am-5pm) Saturday(Jewelry Studio, Mill Building)

This class is designed for both beginners, and students with prior enameling experience. The art of enameling is fusing colored glass onto metal. It is a wonderful way of introducing color onto copper, silver or gold. Learn the basics of using opaque, transparent and opalescent enamels, as well as the technique of cloisonné. Topics covered will be sifting, stenciling and wet packing. Add some sparkle with silver foil and you will create an enameled piece on copper that can stand alone or be incorporated into a larger project. Beginners are welcome so no prior enameling experience is necessary. A studio/materials fee of $45 is due at time of registration, which covers enameling supplies for a round disk. Enameled disks are fit to mount on round pewter boxes. An optional pewter box can be ordered by the student during class or purchased from the instructor for an additional $45. Students are asked to bring 2 or 3 good quality brushes (#0, #00 or #1), tracing paper, and a pencil.

MASTERS SERIES: Cut Card Prong Settings

Tuition $300.00

FEATURED WORKSHOP We expect this visiting master's class to sell-out!
Intermediate, Advanced

John Cogswell

JF0613 Nov 9-10, 2013 (10am - 5pm) Saturday/Sunday (Jewelry Studio, Mill Building)

Master Instructor John Cogswell comes to BCC to teach his famous stone setting techniques. Explore the construction and setting techniques for ‘cut-card’ settings. This type of prong setting is assembled from sheet metal units, which are fitted together in a manner similar to the slotted assembly of cardboard displays. Hence, the name. The best-known example of this unique setting is the ubiquitous, commercial Tiffany setting. However, we’re moving well beyond that! This setting, which accommodates almost any cut of stone, faceted or cabochon, permits distinctive individuality, stylization. Topics to be covered include: creative design and layout; assembly and soldering techniques, and discussion about potential applications. A studio/materials fee is TBA.

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Intermediate Enameling on Metal w/ Joanne Conant

VISITING MASTER SERIES: Intermediate Enameling on Metal

Tuition $240.00

Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joanne Conant

JE0413 September 21 & 22, 2013 (10am-5pm) Saturday/Sunday Jewelry Studio, Mill Building)

This workshop is for intermediate enamelists who would like to learn how to blend one color into another for a seamless transition of light to dark and color to color.The cloisonné method will be used to separate cells of color for the most striking effect. Opaque and transparent colors will be discussed and the appropriate colors for each project will be determined.. . A studio/materials fee of $35 is due at time of registration, Students are asked to bring 2 or 3 good quality brushes (#0, #00 or #1), tracing paper, and a pencil.
Instructor will bring:Silver foil, tweezers, scissors, copper, stoning trays, cloisonne wire, other supplies needed for the project.