Online Streaming

The Beginning Series — Fundamentals & Pendants

7 video lessons · nearly 11 hours · plus a data archive of resources

Designed for the true novice with no experience at all, and built to take you to a skill level where you can create for the pure joy of it — or go on to becoming a selling Jewelry Silversmith.

You start on copper, so you build real torch control before you spend money on Fine and Sterling Silver. It is not possible to learn everything you need in one or two projects, so the projects build on each other. Some look similar on purpose — each one teaches you a little more.

This series focuses on Southwestern-style and contemporary pendants: Two Leaves and Flowers, Leaf and Flower, Four Balls, Three Leaves, Rectangle Contemporary, Diamond Contemporary, Hummingbird, and Three Feathers. Bonus projects include a Single Band Ring, stud earrings, five different clasps, fancy head pins, chains, squiggles, and more.

The Intermediate Series — Rings & Bracelets

6 video lessons · over 9 and a half hours · plus a second data archive

Once you have the fundamentals, this is where the craft starts to feel like second nature. You will create three rings with three different band types — Single Band, Split Band and Wide Band — plus an interchangeable cuff bracelet with a step bezel cabochon mount, and a split band bracelet.

You will learn to saw properly, including how to choose the correct blade. You will pick up production techniques that save real time, and you will build your own bending jig. These lessons teach the fundamentals of bending, shaping and sawing that everything else rests on.

Everything Covered, Start to Finish

This is not a highlight reel. Below is the actual topic index from the Beginning series alone — the Intermediate series adds its own.

Getting Set Up Safely
Introduction · General Safety · Tools You Supply · Unpacking Tools · Table Cover · Basic Tools Overview · Ring & Bracelet Tools · Pickle Preparation · Pickle Disposal · Flux Preparation · Flux Bottle Problems

Copper Exercises — Before You Touch Silver
Copper Preparation · Soldering Animations · Soldering Exercises · Solder Preparation · Metal Characteristics · Fluxing · Understanding Fire Scale · Bezel Creation · Back Plate Texturing · My First Bail · It’s Solder Time · A Silver Solder Flow Example

Your First Pendants
Materials Kit · Classic Hammered Finish · Soldering Bezel · Rectangle Clip Bail · Setting Cabochon · Polishing · Materials Kit Modification · Patterned Hammered Finish · Triangle Clip Bail

Ropes, Balls & Embellishments
Bezel Types & Pointers · Cutting and Sizing Bezel · Inspecting Bezel Joint · Soldering Bezel To Plate · Making Rope · Annealing & Preparing Rope · Soldering Rope to Bezel · Creating Balls · Preparing Embellishments · Two Leaves & Flower · Leaf & Flower · Four Balls · Three Leaves

Bails, Polishing & the Hummingbird
Removing Excess Material · Spider Hold Down · Preparing and Soldering Bail · Setting Cabochon · Polishing and Ring Clamp · Cabochon to Loose · Positioning Bezel · More Balls · Soldering It All Together · Patina & Polish · Rope Bail

Three Feathers
The Bezel · The Rope · The Balls · Trim & Grind · Design Change · Fabricate & Attach Feather Loop · Attaching The Bail · Set The Cab & Polish · It’s Feather Time

When Things Go Wrong — and How to Fix Them
Moving Solder Bumps · Bad Flux Symptoms · How Not To Mark Your Piece · Solder Flowed Into Bezel · Dressing The Charcoal Block · Fix a Split Bezel · Torch Running Out Of Butane · Ball Making in Depth · Removing Balls · Removing Bails · Moving Soldered Bezels · Straightening Wire Rope · Adjusting a Bail · Why I Lay My Torch Down · Torch Striker Repair · Bezel Boo-Boos · Replacing a Bezel · Polishing Marks & Pressure · Removing Cabochons

That last section is the one students tell me they come back to most. Nobody else shows you the mistakes.

Who This Is For

• Complete beginners who have never lit a torch. Start at lesson one and follow along.
• Self-taught silversmiths with gaps — the troubleshooting section alone will save you silver.
• Former students who want the class next to them again when they get home.
• Anyone too far from a class to attend in person.

What About Tools?

The lessons show you exactly which tools you need and how to use each one, including my own patented tools that you will not find anywhere else. You are welcome to source tools yourself — the course tells you what to look for.

If you would rather not hunt for them, I put together the same kits I hand my in-person students, so nothing is missing when you sit down to start. See the tool kits →

Common Questions

When does it start?
Right now. This is not a scheduled class. The moment your order goes through you can start watching.

How long do I have access?
There is no expiry. Watch it as many times as you like, whenever you like.

Do I need any experience?
None. The first series assumes you have never picked up a torch.

Is the Intermediate series included?
Yes. Both series, one price. There is no upgrade to buy later.

What if I get stuck?
Call me at 916 548-7361 or email Dave@SilverSmithingClass.com. You are talking to the person who made the videos.