Hello, welcome to The M.A.M.A and Atelier Artéfact. Thank you for taking an interest in our Metal Arts Academy.
If you have no experience whatsoever, begin with our Introductory Class, a 3-hour session designed to immerse you in the fundamentals of jewellery making. During this hands-on class, you will learn essential techniques such as sawing, filing, and texturing metal. By the end of the workshop, you will have crafted your very first piece of jewellery to take home, marking the start of your creative journey. This class offers a supportive environment to explore and discover the exciting world of metal arts.
Introduction to Jewellery Making
Hands-on workshop experience in Jewellery Making
Bilingual class
Introduction to the basics
Create your own piece of jewellery
3-hour long beginners’ class
10 students per class
All materials required are included in this price
$75 ( taxes not included )
If you enjoy the experience of our first introductory class and you want to explore further you have 2 choices. We offer a second introduction class of 4 hours where you will make your own fabulous silver ring
Jewellery Making Introduction Class - Part 2
Have you already taken the introduction to jewellery class and are ready for more?! Maybe you are unable to register for a full semester however you would love to take a second class and make a beautiful personalized piece of sterling silver jewellery.
We have the workshop for you! Join us and come make a sterling silver ring. New skills such as soldering and polishing will be at the forefront, the skills that you have already acquired will be essential.
Come measure, saw and file a piece of sterling silver that you will then form, solder, embellish and polish!
Prerequisite: the first Jewellery Making Introduction Class
4 hour long workshop for beginners on the basics of jewellery making. Make your own silver ring!
Bilingual class
4-hour long beginners’ class
10 students per class
All materials required are included in this price
$90.00 ( taxes not included )
Or if you enjoyed your experience and wish to continue, we offer a series of classes designed to deepen your skills. These classes cover various techniques and projects, providing a comprehensive path to mastering jewellery making and metal arts. You can register for these classes right away to further nurture your creativity and craftsmanship.
Our classes are based on a system of Modules and each Module takes 8 week to complete.
If you are a beginner you will complete Module 1 before progressing to other modules.
Jewellery Program: Modules 1 to 3
Module 1: Introduction to Tools and Basic Techniques
Exercise 1: The Tools : File, Trace, Saw, Measure, Drill, Anneal, Form, Solder
Exercise 2: Introduction to Rings: Fabrication of a Ring
Exercise 3: Introduction to Earrings: Fabrication of Dangle Earrings - Integration of texture in a piece of jewellery
Exercise 4: Introduction to Chains: Fabrication of a Chain using Repeated Forms and Soldered Rings
Module 2: Introduction to Lost Wax Techniques
Exercise 1: Carving a Ring in Wax
Exercise 2: Carving a Pendant in Wax
Exercise 3: Continuation of basic techniques in metal with an emphasis on shaping, texturing, forming and joining metal through fabrication
To do a comprehensive study of Wax techniques see our Wax Modules 1 to 3 below
Module 3: Introduction to Gemstones and Stone Setting Techniques
Exercise 1: Setting for a Round Cabochon Gemstone - Basic Bezel Setting - (Ring or Pendant)
Exercise 2: Setting for an Oval Cabochon Gemstone - Shoulder or Bearing Bezel - addition of an internal shelf or bearing. (Ring or Pendant)
Exercise 3: Setting for a Small Round Faceted Gemstone - Introduction to Tube Setting
If your preference is for working in wax we offer the same basic training in Modules 1 to 3 in Wax Techniques.
Again each module takes 8 weeks to complete.
Completing the 3 wax modules will give you more of an overview and understanding of working in wax but you will also cover some basics of working in metal so that you could continue directly into Module 4 should you wish to further explore stone setting.
Jewellery Program: Wax Techniques
Module 1: Basic techniques in wax
Introduction to wax and wax tools
Exercises in wax 1 - The pyramid and the dome, first wax ring, (simple shape band)
Exercises in metal 1 - sawing, filing and polishing exercises in metal
Exercises in wax 2 - hollowing out wax, second wax ring (the dome or the signet ring)
Final project - Free form ring, design of your choice
Module 2: Techniques in wax
Introduction to textures and intricate details in wax
Exercises in wax 1 - Introduction to heat and wax, making balls in wax, making jump rings in wax ( wax wires ), repairs in wax, adding wax to your piece, first wax pendant
Exercise in metal 1 - introduction to soldering in metal - make metal jump rings ( soldering of jump ring to first cast pendant )
Exercise in wax 2 - ( pendant or earrings ) making your piece more 3D - carving details
Exercise in metal 2 - introduce soldering posts for earrings
Final project of your own design, incorporating techniques from the class
Module 3: Wax and stone setting
Introduction to stone setting and wax
Exercise in metal 1 - make a simple bezel for a round stone
Exercise in wax 1 - Incorporate the metal bezel into a wax design of your choice
Introduction to sheet wax and it’s flexibility ( Create and cut out shapes )
Exercise in wax 2 - make a bezel in wax
Final Project - create an original piece of your own design incorporating techniques you have learned with the addition of the bezel you have created in wax
Module 4 is an Introduction to settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones. In this comprehensive 8 week session you will continue to explore different shapes and settings for semi precious stones.
Jewellery Program: Module 4
Module 4: Introduction to Settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones
Exercise 1: Overview of setting techniques, Tube Setting, Flush setting, Prong setting
Exercise 2: Concept and Fabrication of a Piece of Jewellery with Prongs - featuring a minimum of 4 prongs - For a Round Faceted Stone
Exercise 3: Overveiw of Setting Techniques for Angular Cabochon Stones - cuts having one or more angular corners (e.g., pear and marquise); and straight-sided cuts having multiple angular corners (e.g., rectangular, square, triangular )
After Module 4 you may choose the Modules that interest you in order to complete your training.
If your interest is in Setting Stones then you would continue with the Specialty Stone Setting Modules shown below.
If your interest is in Surface Textures, Forging and Hinges then you would continue with Modules 5, 6, and 7 in our Intermediate program
You may choose to complete all the modules for a total of 11 modules.
Jewellery Program: Stone Setting Modules
Exercise 1: Overview and Continuation of Bezel Fabrication and Setting techniques for Angular Stones including Faceted Stones
Exercise 2: Fabrication of a Square or Triangular setting - for a square or triangular cabochon stone
Exercise 3: Fabrication of a Pear or Marquise setting - for a pear or marquise faceted stone
Prerequisite for Stone Setting Module 5 is completion of Modules 3 and 4
Module 5: Continuation of Settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones
Module 6: Prong Settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones
Exercise 1: Overview of Prong Settings for Angular Stones
Exercise 2: Fabrication of Prong Setting for Pear or Marquise Stone
Exercise 3: Fabrication of Prong setting for Square Stone
Module 7: Continued Exploration of Different Setting Techniques
Exercise 1: Tapered Bezel settings - Introduction to Collet blocks for Round Faceted Stones
Exercise 2: Introduction to Tension settings
Exercise 3: Working with Wax and Gemstones
*Module 8: Introduction to Gold: Alloys and Primers
Exercise 1: Fabrication of Earrings in Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired
Exercise 2: Fabrication of a Pendant in Yellow or White Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired
If your interest is not in stone setting you can continue instead in our Intermediate program.
Whether you choose to explore stone setting or to follow our Intermediate level program or to do both, our program finishes with
Module 8 - an exploration into working with gold.
Jewellery Program: Intermediate Level
Exercise 1: Fabrication and Integration of Reticulation
Exercise 2: Integration of Small Decorative Punching
Exercise 3: Overveiw of Different types of Homemade Clasps and Commercially available Findings
Exercise 4: Fabrication of a Brooch with Pin including surface texture
Module 5: Introduction to Surface Treatments: Reticulation and Stamping and to Handmade Clasps
Module 6: Introduction to Creative Forming of Metal Through Forging
Exercise 1: Fabrication of a Forged Cuff Bracelet
Exercise 3: Fabrication of a Chain Using Forged Rings
Module 7: Introduction to Handmade Hinges
Exercise 1: Fabrication of an Articulated Bracelet with Hinges Including a Clasp
*Module 8: Introduction to Gold: Alloys and Primers
Exercise 1: Fabrication of Earrings in Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired
Exercise 2: Fabrication of a Pendant in Yellow or White Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired
Again please note each module will take an average of 8 weeks to complete. Each session of 1, 2 , 3 or 4 means that you will be working with a teacher to complete one module per session. if you continue then you will sign up for a new module each following session.
All classes will contain students working in different modules in the same class at the same time.
Each teacher is trained and capable of working with many levels of students so that when we say Module 1, 2 ,3 or 4 you can take them all with the same teacher or if you choose you can take the different modules with a series of different teachers.
We offer a Personal Project classes that is called Module 1 - Personal Projects. In this class if you are a beginner you will complete Module 1 so you have a grasp of the basics. After Module 1 students can decide on projects of their own interest.
We offer an Intermediate /Advanced class for more advanced students who have completed several modules or who have trained for at least 96 hours and we offer a Personal Projects class for students who have already completed Module 1.
For a completely individualized approach you could look into our Creative Experience classes which are a series of 3 - 2hour classes which feature a one on one experience with one of our speciaized instructors.
The Creative Experience
The Creative Experience is a private class with one of our instructors. It consists of an initial consultation followed by a number of hours in the studio which will be determined based on the needs of the project and will allow the student to design and produce their own, custom made, jewellery piece. Throughout the process the instructor will assist with all the technical skills and support needed to cover design, construction and completion of the work.
This item of jewellery can range from a personalized piece for ones self, a heirloom gift, or an engagement ring. With hands-on involvement from the beginning of the process, through to completion of the work, students will enjoy the experience of transforming their initial concept into a finished piece of bespoke jewellery.
Register for the Creative Experience
Specialty classes in 3D, an introduction to the basics of Rhino 8 and 3D printing and in Enamelling and Cloisonné are offered twice a year.
Specialized workshops are also offered and information on them can be found under Workshops on the website.
The 3D Lab
Our 3D Services
A course in 3D modelling using Rhino 8
A course in slicing using Chitubox and preparing a piece for 3D printing
3D printing in our lab
Help, resources and troubleshooting in both 3D modelling and printing
3D classes
Our Introductory class introduces participants to the basics of Rhino 8, the jewellery industry standard software for 3D design.
Through lectures, demonstrations and exercises, students become familiar with the Rhino 8 software and its infinite possibilities, adding a new and powerful tool to their jewellery practice.
A final project allows students to create a piece of jewellery 3D printed in our lab.
The final workshop teaches how to prepare a piece to be printed and gives a quick overview in how to slice and create supports, using the Chitubox software, allowing for printing using SLA resin printers.
List of equipment:
Elegoo Mars 3 printer
Elegoo Mars 2 Pro printer
Phrozen Sonic printer
Elegoo cleaning and UV curing station
CCW UV curing unit
The Montreal Academy of Metal Arts offers students and professional artists a stimulating studio atmosphere with comprehensive classes and workshop sessions in jewellery making and other Metal Arts.