From Jewelry Hobbyist to Pro Bench Jeweler

From Jewelry Hobbyist to Pro Bench Jeweler? What Prospective Jewelry Makers Learn in Hands-On Classes

Jewelry making is a uniquely creative and skill-based craft. For those who are curious to look beyond the beauty of this wearable art form—to the tools and techniques behind its creation—where do you start?

At NBSS, the perfect short course to launch your jewelry-making journey may just be our popular one-day Jewelry Making 101 curriculum. This is exactly where every jewelry maker starts their journey, whether they want to become an accomplished hobbyist or a professional bench jeweler. You may be surprised at just how much you can learn in the span of eight hours. You’ll:

• Understand how the jewelry bench works. You’ll have your own creator’s workspace to use, just like that used by professional bench jewelers.
• Learn the elements of basic jewelry fabrication. You’ll actually have the opportunity to work on your own simple jewelry project – creating shape and texture and learning how to incorporate your piece into a finished product. It may be a metal pendant, or you may learn to fashion a wrapped ring, or something uniquely your own.
• Work with simple tools. Practice how to cut, file, hammer, and drill to create the desired appearance and function of your jewelry.

Because of our hands-on approach to learning, you’ll walk away from this one-day course with great insight into the tools and skills involved in fabricating simple jewelry pieces. We’ve found that Jewelry 101 is a perfect launching point for more advanced learning experiences including our week-long Fundamentals of Jewelry Making series and more specialized courses such as Wax Carving and Casting or Stone Setting. 

At NBSS, even our staff love to explore their creative side. Here’s what one staff member created in their one-day Jewelry 101 course (see photo, right).

Who knows where your first steps into learning more about jewelry making may take you? Perhaps you’ll take what you’ve learned to create jewelry pieces for yourself and friends and family. Maybe jewelry making will become a passion that will lead to opening your own jewelry business or becoming a professional bench jeweler. It all starts with the first step. 

View our upcoming Community Education jewelry making courses here. For classes in woodworking, book arts, and more, check out our Community Education Page. 

Interested in what our full-time Jewelry Making & Repair curriculum offers? You’ll find more information here.