The Creative Metal Arts MakerSpace is a shared workshop in Watershed PDX, an industrial arts sanctuary in SE Portland with easy access by car and public transit. We offer professional instruction for both new metalsmiths and experienced jewelers seeking to refresh or advance their skills in a collaborative environment.
In addition to classes, we offer two benefits for members only: weekly open studio times staffed with an experienced CMAG host, and monthly special interest sessions where like-minded people meet to share and learn about specific topics, gain confidence in new skills, and troubleshoot thorny challenges in a community setting.
Take a Class
Intro to Silver Metal Clay
With Jennifer Raney
Saturday, March 28
10 AM–4 PM
This will be a fun and thorough introduction to fine silver metal clay. Explore basics and best practices for working with this amazing material. You will learn to layer, create texture, embed gemstones/wire, make molds, learn finishing techniques and other tips to make original pieces of jewelry. Students will complete either a pendant and earrings, or several charms. We will go over both kiln firing and torch firing.
Intro to Sandcasting
With Stacey Hareid
Saturday, April 11
10AM–4 PM
Students will learn the basics of sand casting by sandcasting a ring from start to finish. Ring blanks in various designs from sizes 5-10 will be provided. Students will learn how to make clean impressions, achieve successful pours & how to clean/finish the castings.
Jewelry Fabrication Fundamentals (Afternoon)
With Lilly Parker
Weekly on Sundays for 4 Sessions from 10 AM–1 PM:
May 17
May 24
May 31
June 6
This 4 week series offers new metalsmiths the skills essential to making beautiful jewelry in copper, brass and silver. Participants will gain knowledge from an experienced metalsmith and will make 2 pieces of jewelry, through sawing, texturing, shaping, basic soldering skills and cold connections with rivets. At the end of 4 weeks, leave with a finished pendant and ring band. For additional practice time in the studio, participants can attend a weekly Open Studio session, to use the tools under guidance from a studio monitor.
Jewelry Fabrication Fundamentals (Evening)
With Stacey Hareid
Weekly on Mondays for 4 Sessions from 6 PM–9 PM:
May 18
May 25
June 1
June 8
This 4 week series offers new metalsmiths the skills essential to making beautiful jewelry in copper, brass and silver. Participants will gain knowledge from an experienced metalsmith and will make 2 pieces of jewelry, through sawing, texturing, shaping, basic soldering skills and cold connections with rivets. At the end of 4 weeks, leave with a finished pendant and ring band. For additional practice time in the studio, participants can attend a weekly Open Studio session, to use the tools under guidance from a studio monitor.
Bezel Setting Basics
With Lilly Parker
Saturday, June 6
10AM–4 PM
Build on your foundational skills in this hands-on stone setting workshop. You’ll learn each step of creating a bezel setting for a cabochon stone, using soldering and fabrication techniques. Students can turn their finished stone into either a ring or pendant, resulting in a beautifully handcrafted, one of a kind piece. Option to work in silver for an additional fee.
Sign Up For an Open Studio Session
Our centrally located studio in Portland is equipped with 10 jewelry benches with flex shafts. The studio includes a rolling mill, forming stakes, drill press, enameling kiln, torches, centrifugal caster, Beverly shear, buffer, magnetic pin tumbler, and polishing equipment.
Members can book open studio time on alternate Thursday evenings (6:00–9:00 PM) and Friday afternoons (1:00–4:00 PM). There is a $15 fee for each slot cover the cost of a studio monitor, and we ask that you sign up in advance below.
March
Special Interest Groups
Led by an expert instructor, these monthly sessions are focused on specific areas of interest such as enameling and casting.
Enameling
Debra Carus invites enameling enthusiasts to join her at CMAG's Makerspace once a month to share the magic of glass enameling on metals. During each session, Debra will share tips and tricks for enameling success and help troubleshoot tricky projects. In addition, you'll have access to the studio Paragon enameling kiln and acetylene/air or propane/oxygen torches, basic enameling supplies and tools, and enjoy sharing ideas with others working in this medium. Each session may also include brief presentations on enameling topics, determined by the group's interests.
Teach a Class
Would you like to teach a weekend or weekday class for CMAG? We welcome instructors with specialized skills they can share with our members. Please email cmag@cmaguild.org and we’ll send you a course proposal form.