Summer 2021 Workshops
Design for Digital Fabrication
Date/Time: June 1–June 26 | Mon.–Thur. 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $950
For-credit Course: Available for 3 credits (ART 277, 63698)
Instructor: Chad Bridgewater
Location: Online only
Requirements: Adobe Illustrator
This 4 week course will introduce students to digital drawing and design skills that will be used to facilitate geometric problem-solving skills involving 2D and 3D models. Models will be processed through a variety of digital fabrication processes including 3D printing, 3D scanning, laser cutting and vinyl cutting. This course provides students with the tools to develop a thorough grounding in communication techniques and strategies for the professional presentation of design work.
Critical Reading Workshop for Makers and Artists
Date/Time: June 1–22 | Tue. 6–8 p.m.
Cost: $150
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: Hybrid/In-person (online optional) at UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 12
Level: Intermediate/ Advanced
Considered an online book club for critical readers of art, craft, and the phenomena of creativity during a pandemic; we will read articles, books, book fragments and essays centered around studio practice, stimulated art discourse and the creating art post-studio, post- school. This workshop is designed to stimulate your creativity and be tangential to your studio practice. Open to artists and makers of all disciplines and levels.
Make your own Pokemon: Basic enameling, make a pendant or pin
Date/Time: June 21–24 | Mon.–Thur. 12–4 p.m.
Cost: $190
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location:UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 10
Level: Beginner
In this workshop you will learn the basics of jewelry and Metalsmithing to design your own hybrid pokemon, create a color pallet and then make your design into a functional piece of colorful jewelry using the age old technique of colorful enameling. We will discuss Pokemon breeding and ideation through color, sawing and piercing in copper, and various enameling techniques: making a functional pendant or pin.
Enameling Basics Make a customized light switch cover in Enamel
Date/Time: June 29–30 | Tue.–Wed. 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $130
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 12
Level: Beginner
In this two-evening workshop you will learn how to use vitreous enamel to create images, color-scapes, patterns and words on copper to create a functional light switch cover. If you’re interested in making more than one, a link will be provided to purchase more materials prior to the workshop.
Earrings, Earrings, Earrings: High Temperature Soldering for Beginners
Date/Time: July 5–6 | Mon.–Tue. 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $130
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 12
Level: Beginner
This workshop will focus on basic jewelry techniques with an emphasis on soldering. You will learn how to use multiple torches with a number of different materials such as, copper, brass, and silver. You will practice soldering multiple solder seams, various textural and finishing techniques to make a beautiful piece of jewelry or small sculpture.
Learning to Use a Jewelers saw at Home: Make a sawed and pierced wearable brooch
Date/Time: July 12–13 | Mon.–Tue. 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $130
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: Hybrid/In-person (online optional) at UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 16
Level: Beginner
Requirements: Links provided 3 weeks before workshop to purchase materials and tools (approx. $60). Rental kits provided in Milwaukee area with curbside pick up.
In this two-evening workshop you will learn a few basic skills in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing world. Learn how to transfer an image to metal, pierce holes, saw out shapes, clean it up with some filing and sanding, and home patinas. You will end the workshop with a functioning piece of jewelry!
Tabs and Cold Connections: Making a Layered Brooch at Home
Date/Time: July 14–16 | Wed.–Fri. 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $220
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: Hybrid/In-person (online optional) at UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 16
Level: Beginner
This is a great workshop to take after learning “How to Use Your Jewelers Saw” workshop because you will already have all of the tools and materials! This workshop is an introduction and expansion to the fundamental metalsmithing techniques used in creating handcrafted jewelry. Each student will learn the basics of how to effectively use a jeweler’s saw, metal files, and sandpaper, but we will also explore how to execute tab connects to create layered pieces of jewelry or attach found objects. There will be opportunities to join different types of metal together, different shapes of metal together, create layered designs, create motion or movement between design components, or integrate larger cabochon stones.
Torch Fired Enamels: Making variety of enameled Jewelry objects
Date/Time: July 19–24 | Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $350
For-credit Course: Available for 1 credit (ART 279, 64140, and ART 479, 63294)
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: Hybrid/In-person (online optional) at UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 16
Level: Beginner
Requirements: Links provided 3 weeks before workshop to purchase materials and tools. Rental kits provided in Milwaukee area with curbside pick up.
This one-week workshop / course is an intensive workshop to learn and develop torch fired enameling skills at home. You will learn how to explore the natural environment around you to gather materials for enameling, you will learn how to safely do torch fired enameling at home. We will be exploring color, chemistry, and construction to successfully make a variety of jewelry objects centered around vitreous enamel and natural minerals. A supply list will be provided in advance for all workshop tools and materials.
Powder Coating 101: Making a powder coated pendant
Date/Time: July 20–21 | Wed.–Thur. 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $130
Instructor: Cory Borkowski
Location: Kenilworth Square East basement forming/forging studio (KSE B61)
Level: Beginner
In this two-evening workshop you will learn how to use the industrial process of powder coating to create a functional piece of jewelry. You will see many creative uses for powder coating in jewelry ads well as get resources and materials to set up your own system at home!
Lapidary and Cabochon stone setting: Setting a hand cut cabochon
Date/Time: July 22–26 | Thur.–Fri. 6–9 p.m. and Sat.–Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: $260
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: Kenilworth Square East basement forming/forging studio (KSE B61)
Level: Expert
In this four-day workshop you will learn how to use basic lapidary equipment, cutting, grinding, and tumbling non-precious stones to create a functional cabochon. You will be exposed to many kinds of stones and various styles and receive demos on how to bezel set and tap set cabochon stones into a piece of functional jewelry. Searching for stone before the workshop is recommended.
Cabochon Ring: Make a simple silver ring with a bezel set stone
Date/Time: July 28–30 | Wed.–Thur. 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $130
Instructor: Erica Meier
Location: UWM Main Campus jewelry and metalsmithing studio (ART 391)
Capacity: 12
Level: Beginner
In this two-evening workshop you will learn a few basic skills in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing world. Learn how to texture metal, pierce holes, saw out shapes, solder, make a bezel and set a stone!
Introduction to Blacksmithing: Making a Hook and Rack
Date/Time: August 16–20 | Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Non-credit Cost: $350
For-credit Course: Available for 1 credit (ART 279, 64141, and ART 479, 64142)
Instructor: Adam Hawk
Location: Kenilworth Square East basement forming/forging studio (KSE B61)
This one-week workshop is an introduction to the fundamentals of blacksmithing. Demonstrations and information about tapering, twisting, scrolling, heat treating, hot cutting, hot punching, upsetting, chisel work, cold connections and other techniques will be followed by lots of hands-on time. At the end of the week all participants will leave with their very own hand forged coat rack (pot rack) and time permitting, kitchen utensil (fork, spoon, ladle).