A Creative Weekend That Isn’t Another Wine Country Trip
Looking for something different? Forget the spa retreat or the Napa tasting tour. Our silversmithing classes on the Oregon Coast give you a hands-on creative experience you’ll remember — and you go home with real jewelry you made yourself.
SilverSmithingClass.com is located at Saunders Lake in North Bend, Oregon — right on the coast between Coos Bay and Bandon. California students are some of our most frequent visitors. Whether you’re in the Bay Area, LA, San Diego, or Sacramento, the trip is easy: a short flight to Portland or Eugene, a scenic drive to the coast, and two days of immersive silversmithing instruction.
Why Californians Love This Class
It’s a real skill, not a paint-and-sip. You’re learning professional silver soldering with a torch — the same technique used to create fine jewelry. At the end of two days, you have a finished sterling silver pendant you made from raw materials. Many California students go home and start making jewelry for friends, selling at farmers markets, or listing on Etsy.
The Oregon Coast is a reset button. No traffic, no crowds, no cell phone pressure. North Bend is a small coastal town surrounded by state parks, lighthouses, sand dunes, and fresh seafood restaurants. Students from LA and the Bay Area consistently tell us the change of pace is as valuable as the class itself.
Small class, real instruction. California has excellent metalsmithing schools — Revere Academy in San Francisco, various community college programs in LA. But most run multi-week evening sessions. Our format is a focused two-day intensive with just 5-6 students and one instructor with 35+ years of experience. You’re not waiting for bench time or competing for attention.
Getting Here from California
Bay Area: Fly SFO or OAK to Eugene (EUG) — about 1.5 hours, then a 2-hour drive to the coast. Or fly to Portland (PDX) and take the scenic 4-hour drive south. Some NorCal students drive the whole way up Highway 101 — it’s about 7 hours from the Bay Area and every mile is beautiful.
Southern California: Fly LAX or SAN to Portland (PDX) — about 2.5 hours, then drive south. Alaska, United, Southwest, and Delta all fly the route.
Sacramento: Drive north on I-5 to Grants Pass, OR, then Highway 42 west to the coast — about 6 hours. Or fly Sacramento to Portland.
Visit our Planning Your Trip page for lodging recommendations and things to do on the coast.
Classes Available
Beginning Silversmithing — 2 Days ($399)
The full experience. Silver soldering, bezel setting, stone mounting, polishing. Finished pendant. All tools provided, no experience needed.
Hammered Silver Earrings — 4 Hours
A shorter option if you’re just exploring. Create four pairs of fine silver earrings with handmade ear wires.
5-Day Bracelet Retreat — All-Inclusive ($3,499)
The ultimate creative vacation. Five days, four bracelets, lodging and meals included, plus a professional tool set to take home.
Online Streaming — 21 Hours
Start learning from home. Complete video series shipped to any California address, with or without tools.
Ready? Register for the Beginning Silversmithing class →
Questions? Call Dave at 916-548-7361 or email Dave@SilverSmithingClass.com.