Jewelry Workshop: Lake Superior Agate – From Cabbing to Setting
October 14 @ 10:00 am - October 15 @ 4:00 pm
$410.00
Cost: $410.00
Itemized: Lapidary $160.00 + Metalsmithing $250
See the tabs below to learn more about this workshop.
- Workshop Info
- Other Fees
- Instructors - Day 1
- Instructor - Day 2
- Jewelry Skills Covered
- Items & Ideas to Bring With You
- Workshop Locations
- Food & Refreshments
- Travel & Lodging
Day 1 (10am-4pm) in Duluth, MN: Cut, polish and shape a round or oval Lake Superior Agate cabochon with Abby and Amanda. A waterproof apron will be available at DMS for this lapidary class.
Day 2 (9am-4pm) in Bayfield, WI: In your material bag, you will receive a 1.25 x 1.25” piece of 22 ga sheet metal which will become the back of your pendant. We’ll use fine silver bezel wire, solder, tools, the cab you created on Day 1 and creativity to create your own bit of Lake Superior to wear home! Lissa will lead you in the Day 2 adventure.
Bring your own hand tools if you desire.
NOTE: The Cabochon class will be modified for this project in order to maximize time. Participants will not get Lapidary Certification at Duluth Makerspace (DMS).
If you would like to become certified to use DMS for lapidary, you will still need to take the DMS New Member Orientation and Lapidary 101 (focuses on all machine use and safety). We won’t be using the saws for this project since all the agates will be pre-formed.
You may purchase extra agate slices to cab during the Duluth portion of the workshop. Cost varies depending on size: $10-25 is a good estimate. There will also be finished cabs available for purchase.
Abby Schaefer Amanda Penley
It is a pleasure to introduce myself and my lapidary art. My name is Abby Schaefer, of Northern Raven Studio in Duluth, MN. I am currently a co-manager of the lapidary studio at Duluth Makerspace (DMS) with my friend and fellow lapidary artist, Amanda Penley,of Inland Sea Agates & Lapidary Arts.
Amanda and I both have a passion for the rocks and minerals of the Lake Superior region, particularly Lake Superior Agates (LSA’s). We both began our lapidary journeys separately in classes at DMS and connected later over our passion for LSA’s, we have been refining our skills ever since, with a focus on cutting freeform cabochons, designed and cut without calibration or templates. As lapidary artists we seek to spark joy and creative inspiration for jewelry artists and customers; to expand common knowledge and draw attention to this art form; and to spur dialogue about ethical sourcing, artistic process and value.
Cutting cabochons for jewelry artists, custom cutting for customers who have their own raw material and referring them to a jewelry artist who does custom work, face polishing agates for collection display purposes and teaching lapidary classes at DMS are some of the varied aspects of our lapidary businesses.
We have both taken silversmithing classes with Sarah Flicek of Felixery in Delano, MN, to help us learn more about the nuances of cabochon design as it correlates to setting stones.
Our friend and lapidary mentor, Bob Wright, has a great sticker he designed: “I am not lost, I am agate pickin.” This is how we spend much of our time outdoors from spring through fall, sourcing our agates for our lapidary work and personal collections. Follow our artistic journeys on Instagram @northernravenstudio and @inlandsea_agatesandlapidary and on Facebook @northernravenstudio and @AmandaKay .
With gratitude,
Abby
Lissa Flemming, owner of Silverwaves Jewelry and Workshop 46.8°N, is an art jewelry maker, torch slinger and anvil striker. She LOVES to share her jewelry knowledge and inspire creativity in a safe and inspiring atmosphere.
Even if you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body, Lissa will teach, challenge and empower you to find that creativity and make something glorious using the skills she shares during the workshop.
Lissa started her teaching career tutoring Biology during college and later continued coaching kayaking classes and later educating about the natural history of whales and ocean biology during mulit-day kayaking and whale watching adventure trips in Baja’s Gulf of California.
Now she splits time between creating jewelry for her gallery (Silverwaves Jewelry) and teaching at her dedicated jewelry studio (Workshop 46.8°N). She’d love you to join her as she assists you in opening your eyes, hands, and souls to the wonders of jewelry and metal.
– Butane torch safety and use in jewelry applications.
– Use of hand tools and rotary tool (flex shaft).
– Use of hammers and metal stamps to texture metal.
– Soldering safety and fun.
– Use of sandpaper, liver of sulfur, and metal files for finish work.
– Create wrapped loops to hang beads if you so desire.
– Create bezel for round cabochons.
Please wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty and wet and comfortable close toed shoes at the Duluth Makerspace. And bring head band, clip or holder to keep your hair back when using lapidary tools.
Some other thoughts:
– Enthusiasm and patience (remember you will be learning a billion new and fun skills for the first time—enjoy the moment and BREATHE)
– 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.
DAY 1: In Duluth, there will be an hour break for lunch. The Lincoln Park Craft District has many excellent food options or you may bring your own lunch.
DAY 2: In Bayfield, many places are closed on Sundays after Applefest. We suggest bringing your own lunch.
Click the link below for some ideas on where to stay during your visit to Bayfield.
CLOSEST AIRPORTS: Duluth, MN (2 hour drive); Minneapolis, MN (4.5 hour drive)
