Bracelet Retreat on the Lake

Bracelet Retreat on the Lake — September 26 to October 1, 2026

Includes Beginning Silversmithing — No Prior Experience Needed

The retreat is back — redesigned around how skills actually develop. Six days at my private lakeside studio in North Bend, Oregon: four full days of hands-on instruction, a coast day in the middle to recharge and explore, and a final open-studio day so you fly home with completed jewelry, not half-done projects.

Whether you’re brand new to metalwork or already comfortable at the bench, there’s a place for you. First-timers start with the fundamentals while experienced silversmiths jump straight into advanced projects.

Arrive Friday, September 25 — depart Friday, October 2. Limited to five students for one-on-one attention.

How the Week Unfolds

Friday, Sept 25 — Arrival. Fly into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) right here in North Bend — shuttle service is included — or enjoy the scenic coastal drive. Settle in, meet your fellow students, and join us for a welcome dinner.

Saturday & Sunday, Sept 26–27 — Studio Days 1 & 2. Beginners dive into our core silversmithing curriculum — silver soldering fundamentals and a finished contemporary or Southwestern-style pendant or single-band ring on day one. Returning students begin an advanced project right away. Saturday evening we map out each student’s bracelet projects for the week, so Sunday is a full day of creating at the bench.

Monday, Sept 28 — Coast Day. The Oregon coast in late September is our warmest, sunniest secret — and this day is built into the retreat on purpose. Hunt agates and jaspers on the beach, explore the Oregon Dunes, fish, golf, or simply rest. Your hands recover, your new skills sink in, and you come back to the bench sharper than you left it.

Tuesday & Wednesday, Sept 29–30 — Studio Days 3 & 4. Focused bracelet-building with one-on-one guidance — this is where the major projects below come together.

Thursday, Oct 1 — Open-Studio Finish Day. Complete your pieces, polish, set final stones, and photograph your work. You leave with finished jewelry you made yourself.

Friday, Oct 2 — Departure. Shuttle back to OTH, or linger on the coast a little longer — plenty of students do.

Bracelet Projects You Can Create

Depending on your skill level and pace, choose from any of the following (watch the demonstration videos below each description):

Three-Wire Heavy Sterling Cuff with Cabochon

Built from 10-gauge square wire, this substantial bracelet features a bezel-set cabochon as the centerpiece. You can incorporate twisted square, triangle, or half-round wire accents. Works beautifully in both Southwestern and contemporary styles — and it’s consistently one of the strongest sellers when paired with an eye-catching stone.

Labradorite Asymmetrical Sterling Silver Three-Wire Cuff Bracelet — click to watch the video

Freeform Wave Wire Cuff

A more advanced project with endless creative possibilities for focal points and wire arrangements. The key challenge is mastering heat control — soldering the wire ends without melting them requires precision. Every one of these turns out unique, and they never fail to get compliments.

Freeform Wave Sterling Silver Wire Bracelet — click to watch the video

Heavy Sterling Cuff with Pearl or Cabochon

Start with 20-gauge sterling sheet and shape it through hammering, folding, edge coining, and crushing. Cultured pearls are ideal because of their low profile, but mounted cabochons work just as well. The techniques produce a weighty, professional piece — and no two ever look the same.

Heavy Sterling Silver Cuff with Pearl and Arrow Embellishment — click to watch the video

Cuttlefish Bone Cast Cuff — Walking Liberty Silver Dollar

Carve your bracelet shape directly into cuttlefish bone, then pour molten silver to create the band. You’ll make two matching side pieces (expect a few pours to get them right), then solder everything to a silver coin focal point. Dozens of .999 fine silver bullion coins are available — Walking Liberty, Chinese Zodiac, Maple Leaf, and more (approximately $35 each from dealers like Kitco). Let me know if you’d like me to source the coin for you.

Cuttlefish Bone Cast Bracelet with Walking Liberty Silver Dollar — click to watch the video

Straw Cast Bracelet

One of the most challenging and rewarding projects in the retreat. Multiple silver pours create organic shapes that you assemble like a puzzle, then solder together. Add a crystal point, cabochon, or other focal element. Requires 2–4 ounces of fine silver and extensive soldering work — the results are truly one of a kind.

Organic Straw Cast Silver Bracelet — click to watch the video

Pine Needle or Straw Cast Pendant

Pour 3+ ounces of fine silver into organic molds — remelt and repour until you get a shape you love. Embed crystal points or cubic zirconia during casting, or set stones afterward. The technique also works for bracelets, rings, and earrings.

Custom Projects

Have something specific in mind that isn’t listed here? Call me at 916-548-7361 and we’ll talk through whether it fits into the retreat schedule.

What’s Included in Your Retreat

• All tools provided during the retreat — bring nothing but yourself
• A complete set of silversmithing tools for those who picked the “with tools” option to take home (valued at over $800)
• Full access to our 22-hour streaming video library: Beginning Silversmithing + Intermediate Rings & Bracelets — viewable on any device
• Approximately $300 in sterling and fine silver materials (additional materials purchased in class as needed)
• The combined value of tools, streaming access, and materials exceeds $1,050

Tip: Bring a few of your favorite cabochons for the bracelet projects — it makes the finished pieces even more personal.

All-Inclusive Retreat Package

• Seven nights of comfortable lodging at the Itty Bitty Inn in North Bend or a local Airbnb
• Meals: continental breakfast, soup & sandwich lunch, and catered dinner daily
• Local transportation and airport shuttle service
• Four full days of studio instruction, a guided-option coast day, and an open-studio finish day

Airport: Fly into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend — shuttle service included. For a scenic road trip, consider flying into Eugene (EUG) and renting a car for the 2-hour coastal drive. Airfare into North Bend typically rises about $200 per week starting a month before travel — book early.

Class size: Limited to 5 students for personalized, one-on-one attention.

Reservations: Register below, or call Dave at 916-548-7361 to reserve with a deposit. No cancellations after August 26 (one month before the retreat); lodging fees may apply to late cancellations.

Questions? Call Dave at 916-548-7361 or email Dave@SilverSmithingClass.com.