Repurposing Precious Metals and Jewelry

Repurposing Precious Metals and Jewelry
Instructor: Bill Dawson
January 17 and 18, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 - 5:00
Class Fee: $380 | Materials List

Prerequisites: Basic soldering and sawing skills required.

Have silver scraps, failed projects, old or broken jewelry sitting in a drawer? Give them new life! Join us in our Seattle studio to learn how to identify and repurpose these precious metals into new pieces or fresh material to work with. With the rising cost of metals, now is the perfect time to build this essential silversmithing skill. And with only 8 students, you’ll receive personalized guidance every step of the way.

In this weekend workshop, you’ll learn how to melt down silver or gold and transform it into new wire or sheet you can continue to use at the bench. You’ll also practice taking apart old jewelry — including all those single earrings that tend to accumulate — and reusing stones, components, and other salvageable parts. The class introduces small-scale casting and cold-connection techniques while teaching you how to evaluate reusable materials such as metal, glass, resin, and stones. Throughout the process, you’ll build confidence in problem-solving, dismantling, and reconstructing jewelry with intention and creativity.

Students Must Bring:

• Old jewelry; both costume and precious metal, with and without stones.
• Silver (or brass) sheet and wire, various sizes to play with

Instructor Bio:

Bill Dawson came to art metals by way of blacksmithing at the University of Oregon. Since then he has been making a living with metalsmithing, both teaching and creating custom pieces for all manner of patrons. A close examination of metalwork of ancient cultures of Ireland has given Bill a deeper understanding of the character of the metal itself, as well as the aesthetics of the past. You can see Bill’s work at www.billdawsonmetalsmith.com.roblem solving skills and a profound sense of achievement always come in handy!

Learn More about the Instructor, HERE.

Tools are available to purchase through Danaca Design Studio with 15% student discount code. Shop tools HERE. If you don’t see what you need please email us, dana@danacadesign.com.

Review our class cancellation policy HERE.

All students must fill out and electronically submit the Danaca Design Studio Safety Protocol and Waiver form before attending class.