The Closest Silversmithing Workshop to Eugene — Just 2 Hours Away
If you live in the Eugene-Springfield area, our silversmithing studio on the Oregon Coast is closer than you think. SilverSmithingClass.com is located at Saunders Lake in North Bend — a straight two-hour drive west on Highway 126 through the Coast Range, then south on 101. It’s an easy day trip or a perfect excuse for a weekend on the coast.
Eugene has a few metalsmithing options — the UO Craft Center offers workshops and Fuse Jewelry Collective runs classes in town. Both are good programs. But if you want to learn silversmithing intensively in a single weekend, walk out with finished jewelry, and work one-on-one with an instructor who’s taught thousands of students over 35 years, that’s what we do.
Why Eugene Students Love This Class
Two hours door to door. Leave Eugene Saturday morning, take the class Saturday and Sunday, drive home Sunday evening. No need for overnight lodging unless you want to extend your trip — and the coast is hard to leave.
Finished jewelry in one weekend. Our 12-hour beginning class covers silver soldering, bezel setting, stone mounting, and polishing — and you leave with a completed sterling silver pendant. Not a practice piece. A real piece of wearable jewelry.
Only 5-6 students per class. David Lee Smith works with each student individually throughout the entire two days. When you need help, you don’t wait — he’s right there.
No supplies to buy beforehand. We provide every tool you’ll need during class. Just show up ready to learn.
Getting Here from Eugene
By car (2 hours): Take Highway 126 west from Eugene through Veneta and Mapleton to Florence on the coast, then Highway 101 south through Reedsport to North Bend. The drive through the Coast Range is beautiful — winding through fir forests along the Siuslaw River.
Eugene is also the nearest airport for out-of-town students. If you have friends or family flying in to take the class with you, Eugene Airport (EUG) is the closest commercial airport to our studio. From the airport, it’s a 2-hour rental car drive.
Classes That Fit a Weekend Trip from Eugene
Hammered Fine Silver Earring Class
All current dates are full.
Get Notified of New DatesFull class details →Intermediate Rings & Bracelets
This class date has passed — new dates are being scheduled.
Get Notified of New DatesFull class details →Bracelet Retreat on the Lake
November 14 to November 19, 2026 · Studio days 9 am–5 pm
Full class details →Make a Weekend of It
The southern Oregon Coast between Florence and Bandon has some of the best scenery, food, and outdoor activities in the state. Heceta Head Lighthouse, the Oregon Dunes, Shore Acres State Park, and fresh Dungeness crab at local seafood spots are all within easy reach. Check our Planning Your Trip page for lodging and activity recommendations.
Or how about a full week experience?
6-Day Bracelet Retreat — All-Inclusive
Our signature experience. Six days at our lakeside studio on Saunders Lake: four full days of hands-on instruction creating four unique bracelets (cuttlefish bone casting, straw casting, and freeform wire work), a coast day to explore, and an open-studio finish day so you go home with completed jewelry. Lodging, meals, transportation, and a complete tool set to take home are included — or choose the without-tools option. Full details and registration →
Ready to sign up? 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.