Jewelry Workshop: All Things Casting with Danny Saathoff

Danny Saathoff is an Instructor of Metalsmithing at Carleton College and also teaches at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. His work can be found in galleries around the country and his large scale, public sculptures have been commissioned by such entities as the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, the City of Hopkins, and St. Francis Hospital.

“As both and artist and educator, I often find myself distracted by new processes and avenues of exploration. This leads me down the rabbit hole of YouTube and internet searches, followed by hours of actual experimentation, some successful and some not. My main areas of artistic expression are contemporary jewelry design and sculpture; however, my curiosity has led me to the fabrication of such item as kitchen utensils, light fixtures, and watercolor/pen and ink drawing.

Of course, these distractions fall within the realm of a broad artistic practice, but they have also led to wonderful opportunities for education. I’ll see someone doing something marginally related to my core work, but if I can learn a new skill well enough to pass it along, I’ll find a way to do it.

Artists, at their very core, are curious by nature, and this is why we should never stop learning or be afraid to fail at something new.”

We will be beginning with bronze for all of you. Bronze is great to start out with because it’s cheap and easy to cast.

If you wish to cast in another metal like silver, you have three options: First, you can bring your own if you have it. For those of you that make jewelry and have scrap material laying around, casting is a great way to use up that scrap silver. Just make sure it’s clean scrap with no solder joints.

Second, you can purchase silver casting grain prior to the class. Here’s the link to Rio Grande where you can purchase silver casting grain. You may have to set up an account with Rio, but it is easy and open to the public. I’d order an ounce or so, an ounce can easily make a couple of rings if they’re not too big.

Third, you can buy it from us in class; please let us know if this is the case so we can pre-order and be sure to let us know how much. As of this morning, an ounce of sterling silver casting grain is just under $32 without shipping. We’ll be sure to have a little extra just in case you get wild and want to make something more extravagant!

Each student will have their own jewelry bench, flex shaft and hand tools. Learn more about available tools in our workshop space.

– Enthusiasm and patience (remember you will be learning a billion new and fun skills for the first time—enjoy the moment and BREATH)

– 100% cotton apron (I will also have some to borrow)

– Close-toed studio shoes to wear during workshop. Studio space is very slippery with wet shoes so we recommend leaving those at the door.

– Reading glasses or magnifiers

– Headband, clip or holder to keep your hair back when soldering

– Your own hand tools, drilling station, soldering station, etc if you wish (a lot of people prefer to use their own; I know I do!)

– Notebook and pen/pencil to jot down important ideas, thoughts, etc.

Lunch is provided by Chef Lars of Cooking with Lars. And (WOW!), are you in for a treat. Please let us know if you have any food allergies or special food considerations so we can pass that information along to him.

There will be a tea kettle and complimentary assorted RISHI teas available as well as sparkling botanicals available for purchase.

Click the link below for some ideas on where to stay during your visit to Bayfield.

Lodging Ideas

CLOSEST AIRPORTS: Duluth, MN (2 hour drive); Minneapolis, MN (4.5 hour drive)