About the workshop

Your experience will be

  • custom

    Each piece crafted at Imbue is custom made. We will design your piece and experience based on how you want it to look and the meaning you want it to hold.

  • hands on

    This workshop is for people who want to be part of the process of transforming materials into a final piece of jewelry by working with a torch and jeweler’s tools.

  • collaborative

    In the design process I will determine which steps you will do with your own hands and which steps will be completed by me or a specialized craftsperson.

What to Expect

  • The craft of jewelry making takes years of instruction and/or trial and error to fully learn. This workshop is different from a skill based class where you would learn the steps to make jewelry on your own. Yes, you will have a chance to use a jeweler’s torch and tools to work on your piece for important steps. It will be a collaborative experience where we will work together to ensure that you end up with a piece you will love to wear that is crafted with skill.

  • The first step is to contact me with your ideas. From there, I will lay out the options for crafting your piece.

  • Next, we will schedule your workshop.

    Each workshop is unqiue:

  • Some basic pieces, like a simple band, can be completed start to finish with your hands in one session, and you can take it with you at the end of the day.

  • More complex designs will require prep work before your workshop or final touches after. In some cases you will create the components in your workshop, then I will assemble them after. Any steps after the workshop will take 4-6 weeks to complete.

This workshop is for those who want to be part of transforming the materials.

I believe that any piece of jewelry can be imbued with meaning.

 FAQs

  • Yes! I have been walking people through the process of making their own jewelry for years. I will factor in your ideas and how hands-on you want to be when planning for your workshop.

  • The total cost comes down to your materials (metal and stones) plus the cost of private instruction and any additional elements that you may want (such as settings, engraving, etc).  It is important to me that you are able to make informed decisions. Once I have a good idea of what you want to make I will give you a breakdown of the cost.

    Most people spend between $600-$1,700 on their custom piece. But it can really vary depending on the materials.

  • The metals options are silver and gold alloys. Together we will decide the best metal(s) for your project. Silver is a great option for most projects. The colors and karats of gold are usually used for more basic designs like simple bands or small accents on silver pieces. It all depends on your ideas and budget. If you are interested in incorporating other metals like bronze or copper let me know.

    All of the metals I work with are 100% recycled, sourced from a refiner that emphasizes their conservation practices in water, energy, and waste.

    I am only set up to work in precious metals. Materials like titanium, meteorite, ect. require both a tool and skill set that I do not have. If we find a piece of meteorite that can be set that is certainly doable. But we cannot work these materials on a lathe.

  • This is a case by case answer. We can usually find a way to include family stones. I am not currently set up to create a piece entirely out of existing metal, but we can often incorporate some metal as an accent.

  • People often use stones or found objects. I am happy to help you find a stone that will be a good fit for your piece. I work with stone providers who are follow ethical sourcing and fair trade practices.

  • Absolutely! We can plan a small group workshop where multiple people can make similar pieces together. Let me know your ideas!

  • Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop we are somewhat limited in what we are able to create. The best first step is sharing your ideas with me, then I can let you know what is doable. The more complex the piece is, the less hands on the workshop will be.

    Also, if you find design ideas from other jewelers we cannot replicate someone else’s work. You can use their work as inspiration, but your final piece will be your own.

  • Sometimes that is part of it. I have worked with people to create very personal pieces to symbolize hard and emotional things. I always do my best to hold space in a way where you will feel comfortable and supported.

  • I am not currently teaching skill based jewelry classes. If I do again in the future I will be sure to post about it on instagram and here on my website.

  • My plan is to continue to ensure that my clients feel safe and comfortable while in my studio. Currently my workshops are all private instruction, so I can meet individual needs and comfort levels for each person when it comes to masking and distancing.

    I have box fans set up to circulate the air and big windows that can be opened if you want.

    I am always happy to test ahead of a workshop for clients who are or care for someone who is immunocompromised, neutropenic, or at higher risk.

    I will continue following CDC recommendations personally and in my studio.