Endless Pattern and Color and Metal Sandwiches:
Integrating Polymer Clay with Metals
Bonnie Bishoff
Learn about the basics of working with polymer clay to create highly patterned and colorful surface design that can be integrated with wire and sheet metal in jewelry. The sky is the limit for color and design with polymer clay and because it has a low temperature for curing and can be baked multiple times so there are a myriad of ways that it can be incorporated into your fine metal jewelry designs. Instead of looking for the perfect gem, you can create your own wonderful components.
In this 5-day class we will explore creating patterned canes for intricate sliced designs and veneers as well as my marquetry techniques for more intricate applications of these patterns. We will examine ways to hold polymer clay with metals and how to capture metals with polymer. Techniques include polymer bezels, polymer rivets, using 3-d and flat wire armatures to support polymer clay, wire frames covered in polymer and articulated joints between metal and polymer clay. Also examined will be methods for embedding pin backs, bails, and earring posts in a clean and professional manner. Students can create pins pendants and earrings of completely original design. Finishing polymer and metal combinations will be addressed including patinas, polishing and paint.
Beginning metals experience is expected including simple soldering but polymer experience is not necessary.
General outline for 5 days
Days 1-2 Working with polymer to create design canes and marquetry veneers
Day 3 Design concepts and order of operations when combining polymer and metal creating samples for metal/ polymer techniques
Days 4-5 Building with veneers and metals to create a pin, pendant or earrings.
Meet 2026 MOTM Instructors
Gold on Silver Goes Big
Advanced Techniques in Argentium and Gold
Jenny Reeves
Scale up your skills and go from small to statement in this follow-up class to Gold On Silver Three Ways.
Students will learn to create 3D pieces like cuff bracelets and hollow forms which require more heat and different gold-bonding methods than small work.
We’ll explore complex fabrication and fusing large pieces in Argentium, while learning to bond Keum-boo and Accent Gold for Silver using a torch instead of a hot plate.
This is a Choose Your Own Adventure Class – students can focus on a single piece, multiple projects or honing specific skills.
This class is perfect for students who’ve taken my other workshops or have prior experience with Argentium and Keum-boo. With silver prices soaring it’s a great opportunity to make that challenging piece with expert tutelage! As always there will be lots of tips & tricks to take your work to the next level.
Stone Setting Intensive: Precision, Process & Practice
Krista Mitsu Shiga
This five-day, retreat-style intensive is designed for jewelers ready to deepen their technical mastery of stone setting through focused repetition, thoughtful construction, and disciplined bench practice.
Over the course of the week, students will systematically build skill and confidence in a range of essential and advanced setting techniques, including traditional bezels for cabochons, step bezels for faceted stones, tube setting, flush setting, and additional creative stone captures. Emphasis will be placed on accuracy, fit, clean solder seams, structural integrity, and refined finishing—skills that elevate good work into professional-level craftsmanship.
This workshop is valuable not only for those new to stone setting, but also for jewelers with foundational experience. The instructor’s methods differ from many commonly taught approaches, offering alternative construction strategies and sequencing that her students frequently describe as “game-changers” in their studio practice. Even experienced setters can expect to refine their efficiency, improve precision, and rethink long-held habits at the bench.
With precious metal prices on the rise, the workshop will also address the technical considerations of working with gold-filled materials. Students will perform multiple soldering operations while learning strategies to preserve the integrity of the bonded gold surface—developing the control required to integrate gold-filled components into high-quality designs.
Demonstrations will be paired with extensive bench time, allowing students to apply techniques immediately and refine them through repetition. Individual feedback will focus on tool control, problem-solving, and building repeatable, professional habits.
Participants will leave with finished work, strengthened technical fluency across multiple setting methods, and a deeper understanding of how precision construction supports creative expression. This intensive is ideal for students seeking concentrated time at the bench and a rigorous, skill-driven approach to advancing their stone-setting practice.
