Lisa Johnson Kumihimo is a traditional Japanese braiding art in which multiple threads are carefully interlaced to create strong, decorative cords. At the QC lapidary and jewelry club, members can learn this intricate technique to craft beautiful, handcrafted bracelets and necklaces in a variety of colors and styles. We invite you to stop by the…
Lisa Johnson Enameling on copper jewelry is a centuries-old art that blends metalwork with glass, creating pieces that are both vibrant and enduring. Enamel is finely ground glass that’s fused to metal through high heat, producing rich colors and glossy surfaces that become part of the metal itself. Recently, several students dove into this fascinating…
Lisa Johnson Four enthusiastic new members of the QC Lapidary and Jewelry Club successfully completed a four-class Metals series and earned their torch certifications. Throughout the program, they learned to design and create beautiful jewelry using the studio’s advanced equipment, preparing them for continued success. Every finished project was truly outstanding!
Lisa Johnson Four enthusiastic ladies participated in Cathy Hasson’s Basic Bead Stringing class on Nov. 12. They designed necklaces, strung beads on wire, and learned the best way to add a closure. Sandy Veydt brought beautiful pearls and strung them on silk thread with knots between each pearl. It was more challenging than wire stringing…
Lisa Johnson On Oct. 7 Cathy Hasson taught several Lapidary Club members the art of making unique leather and chain jewelry. Many beautiful examples of this technique are available for sale in the Lapidary Studio window during regular studio hours (the schedule is posted next to the door).
The peyote stitch is a non-loom bead weaving technique. Peyote pieces can be woven as flat strips; in a flat, round shape; or as a tube. In a recent class, Cathy Hasson taught students how to create a beautiful bracelet using the flat strip technique. More advanced classes will be offered in the near future.…
Keum-boo is an ancient Korean technique used to apply thin sheets of 24K gold to silver, creating a silver-gilt effect. Kris Howell and Carol Wiser taught participants how to use this technique without solder by controlling temperature and pressure. Many beautiful examples of this technique are available for sale in the lapidary studio window during…
Club member Cheryl Osburn held a class on flame painting on Dec. 3. Students were shown how to change the color of copper by applying heat using a torch. Changing the length of time using the torch on various spots changes the copper’s colors. The piece was then cut into shapes for earrings and pendants.…
What do you do with old sterling jewelry or leftover pieces? Melt it down and make it into wire or disks to fashion something new! Carol Wiser taught this process to several members of the Lapidary Club. The sterling is melted in a crucible inside a fire brick furnace using a torch. It is then…
Cathy Hasson Carolyn Milbrath and Debbie Huber taught two classes of Lapidary Club members the art of using precious metal clay to fashion pendants and earrings. The process involves forming and stamping a soft clay of Sterling Silver with a binding agent. The clay is placed in a kiln, and the binding agent is burned…