Turn Your Gemstone Cabochon Collection into Wearable Jewelry
Texas has one of the strongest gem and mineral communities in the country — from the Dallas Gem & Mineral Society to the Houston shows, San Antonio rock shops, and Austin lapidary clubs. If you’ve been collecting turquoise, agate, jasper, or other cabochons, silversmithing is how you turn those stones into finished jewelry you can wear, gift, or sell.
SilverSmithingClass.com offers intensive weekend workshops on the Oregon Coast where you learn real silver soldering, professional bezel setting, and stone mounting in just two days. Bring your favorite cabochon from a Texas gem show and set it in sterling silver before you fly home.
What Texas Students Get from Our Classes
Real soldering, not wire wrapping. Most short jewelry classes in Texas teach wire wrapping, bead stringing, or metal clay — techniques that don’t involve a torch. Our class teaches hard silver soldering, the professional technique that southwestern and contemporary silversmiths use. It’s what separates craft jewelry from professional jewelry.
Bring your own stones. If you’ve been stockpiling cabochons from the Austin Gem & Mineral Society show or the Tucson show, bring your favorites. You’ll learn to fabricate a custom bezel and set your stone permanently in silver during class.
A weekend is all it takes. Fly in Friday, take the class Saturday and Sunday, and fly home Sunday night or Monday morning. Texas students have been making this trip for years — several have gone on to sell their work at craft fairs and art shows back home.
Small class, personal attention. Our classes are limited to 5 students with one instructor — David Lee Smith, a silversmith with 35+ years of experience who has taught thousands of students from across the country. This isn’t a crowded community college workshop.
Getting Here from Texas
By air: The closest option is Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) right here in North Bend, about 10 minutes from lodging. From Texas, flights into OTH connect through LAX. Retreat students get shuttle service to and from OTH included. Prefer a road trip? Many Texas students fly into Portland (PDX), which has nonstop options from major Texas airports (check current schedules when you book), then enjoy the scenic 4-hour drive down the coast. Eugene (EUG) is closer, about 2 hours away, but has fewer flight options from Texas.
Make it a trip: Many Texas students turn the class into a long weekend getaway. The Oregon Coast is a dramatic change of scenery — rugged cliffs, old-growth forests, lighthouses, and fresh Dungeness crab. It’s nothing like home, and that’s the point. Visit our Planning Your Trip page for lodging and local recommendations.
Classes Available
Bracelet Retreat on the Lake
November 14 to November 19, 2026 · Studio days 9 am–5 pm
Full class details →Online Streaming — 20+ Hours, Your Schedule
Start learning from your Texas workshop before you visit. Stream our complete video series on any device, with or without a tool kit shipped to your door.
A Student Story
“I just wanted to thank you again for the Silversmithing class you taught at Beadoholique in Spring, Texas. I had a great time and FINALLY learned to solder without being scared of it… I hope to be in another one of your classes.” — Melissa M., Spring, Texas
Ready to get started? See upcoming dates ↑
Don’t see a date that works? Join the waitlist and you’ll be the first to hear when new dates open.
Questions? Call Dave at 916-548-7361 or email Dave@SilverSmithingClass.com.