Learn to make your own jewelry
in a hands-on, in-depth, personalized private workshop
When I became interested in metal smithing 15 + years ago, I looked everywhere for help, but for some reason I just couldn’t find anyone to guide me in the right direction. However, I stuck with it and spent the the following decade or so stumbling my way through self-teaching and learning through lots of trial and error. Over the years as my skills and work progressed, I was asked many times to teach lessons, but I never felt up to it until this past year. The time has finally come, and I’m now offering private lessons in an effort to be the teacher that I wished I’d had all those years ago.
It goes a little something like this:
In my cozy home studio in Nevada City, CA, I’ll demonstrate & guide you through each step of hand-fabricating your own sterling silver + stone adornment. I’ll provide a selection of stones for you to choose from, but if you’d like to bring your own stone, that’s also an option. At the end of the day, you’ll leave with at least 1 one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, made by your own two hands. If you’ve got a little experience under your belt and want some guidance making something with a more complex than simple design, I’m open to discussing your ideas.
Each session is tailored toward the student’s individual experience & skill level(total beginners are welcome & encouraged!) and desired area of focus. If you’re wanting to make multiple pieces and/or build and practice your skill set beyond what can be accomplished in a just a day or two, multiple/ongoing sessions may be booked.
Once we’ve had our initial exchange and settle on a date, a $100 non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your spot. This will go toward the total cost of $75/hour for a single student or $90/hour for 2 students, and it includes all materials & safety gear. Taking a workshop with a friend can be a really fun way to learn, and it helps to drastically cut down the per/person cost of each session. The length of each workshop will vary according to the particular projects we’re working on, how quickly the students pick up on the materials, etc. but you can expect it to be at least 4 hours long.
If you have questions or are interested in booking a session, please reply by clicking the button below with a short and basic introduction of yourself, your experience level(if any) and general availability.
I’m looking forward to hearing form you!
Here’s what my students are saying:
“Leora is an incredible teacher & person. Her home studio is a jewelers dream! An inviting space filled with so many amazing tools & materials to create magic. I had the pleasure and privilege of taking her 1:1 workshop where together, we made a gorgeous turquoise ring that I cherish! Her attention to detail and extreme patience made for the perfect day. I learned so many new techniques and got intimate one on one time to broaden my jewelry making skills. She guides you every step, but gives you the freedom to experiment and learn on your own, in your own way. Her workshops are so valuable. If you want to strengthen your craft or if you simply want to make a special keepsake piece by hand, reach out to Leora for a memorable experience that will leave you wanting to explore the art of jewelry making more and more. I’m So grateful she is offering these sessions to share her knowledge and experience with us!”
“I recently had the pleasure of taking a 1:1 class with Leora where I created two pieces from start to finish. As I was a complete beginner, her patience, kind way, and focused guidance made the learning process delightful. She is generous with her knowledge and worked with me to tailor the class to suit my interests. Very grateful for the inspiring experience and hope to take at least one more class to learn a few more techniques.”