Silver-smithing, soldering Class, Sun., April 25, 2015, Sat.

This is a beginning soldering class, no experience needed, a material fee will be determined, (usually about $20-$25 )  Class fee is $125.00.  You will learn from Carmen Martinez, the basics of soldering different types of metals.  You will make and take home a silver bezeled stone of your choice from our collection or your own.  You will learn to use an oxygen and propane torch and hand-held torches.  grace@gracefulcutoms.com for more info! See our blog for pics! www.Gracefulstudios.blogspot.com, e-mail Carmen for more details: cram67@yahoo.com, www.visionsbyron.com is the website (her husband Ron is a gem carver and will also be here working on his stones, he loves to share his work!

silver-solder and metal workshop Sunday, May 25, 2014

Open house, 3 to 6:00 pm, come see demos in silver-soldering and metal working. Gem carving also happening today!  grace@gracefulcustoms.com

Metal working workshop open house-Nov. 9, 2013

For those who like to solder, form, and create projects out of metal, you are welcomed to stop by on Sat., Nov. 9, 2013 here at Graceful Customs Studio.  We will be working on  projects, you can ask questions like how to make rivets, products to polish metals, setting cabachons,
electro-forming supplies, and see demos, or demo a technique yourself.  Carmen Martinez, our instructor for the silver-soldering classes will be here to show us her latest projects and help you move forward in your metal art.  We will have soldering torches available for your use and a huge anvil to hammer!  Hours:  12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. drop in anytime.  No cost.  e-mail Grace at Grace@GracefulCustoms.com to let us know what your interest is!  And feel free to share with us what you have been working on!

Silver-smith/metal working Techniques-June/July at Graceful Customs Studio

Wow, look at the talent of our new instructor coming to our Studio!  Joy Raskin is an accomplished metal worker who loves different types of media to work with!  Look at her talent!  She will be here to share some of that talent with us, starting with low-tech techniques and moving on to silver-soldering, cold connections, hinges, clasps, tube setting, & box-making!  Check our calendar for specific dates and class descriptions, starting June 27 through July 4, 2012!  You can see her work and bio at www.joyraskin.com E-mail me if you are interested, all classes are one-day classes, 15% discount if you sign up for 2 or more class!  Class size is limited.  Classes range from $80 to $125.

Holiday Boutique & Happy Holidays!

It was another great holiday boutique this year, we had new artists and new friends stop by to see our wares and snack on goodies! Jelveh was busy making jewelry on the spot, Ron was carving away, and I was busy raffling off (free) hourly gifts. Thank you all for participating, we will see you soon! Grace

Silversmithing Class this weekend!

Here are some of the projects completed! Thanks to Carmen, she managed to teach a basic silver-soldering class in one day with finished projets, silver rings and pendants with natural stones. The participants practiced on copper circles, then moved on to silver, making the bezel and soldering it to the flat silver sheet. It helped that Frank precut the metals circles, but Carmen also demonstrated how to use the saw and other cutting tools, and most everyone had a chance to use the propane/oxygen torches!

Great Day, Great Friends at Open House

It was a beautiful day to be outside, many thanks to Jim & Jennifer for demo-ing lapidary techniques and all their beautiful cabachons, oops didn't get a pic of them, sorry; Ron & Jim looked like their were enjoying the day, we had new drop-ins, new students, friends, all with many artistic interests! The food was sweet, and we gave several prizes, jewelry, tools, and new aluminum sheet cut outs which Jelveh kindly showed us how to apply to create bubbly effects, Sioux demo-ed her technique of implossion, and Barb took a turn at the torch, along with a couple of newbies! Barb also tried out our new V-Fantasy wheel to practice what she had learned in a class! Thank you all for participating! Stay tune for more!

JULY 23, 2011 OPEN HOUSE!

Come join us for our July 23, Saturday open house! We will have our usual lampworking demos and open torch time. Jelveh from Jelveh Designs will be showing off her latest designs. Jim Ziegler and his lovely wife Jennifer will be showing the latest techniques of Lapidary work! See what you can make from a rough stone! We will be hosting a Lapidary class with Jim, on Saturday, August 27, 2011, all materials and equipment provided. Cost of class is only $75.00
And on Sat. & Sun., August 13 & 14, Carmen Martinez will have a basic silver-smithing class, take one or two classes. We will be learning how to work with the different metals, torches, solder materials, and will set a cabachon, stone or glass, in a silver setting that can be finished as a pendant or ring. More info available, e-mail me! Cost of class is $125 for one day, material kit extra.
Open house is 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. on Saturday July 23!

Silver-filled silver wire -

Ed Ferner wants to share info on the new silver-filled wire he has been experimenting with and it sounds great! It is 2 pages long, so if you would like a copy, let me know and I will e-mail it to you! grace@gracefulcustoms.com

Wedding Bells

No, Frank & I are not getting married again, once was it! Natalie's wedding is soon here, we are busy preparing and getting nails done, but here is Carmen Martinez busy at my torch today setting a freeformed Australian opal pendant that Natalie selected, and earrings, opal also! (I was a little relieved she didn't pick the most expensive opal from their collection). And Ron, master carver that he is, presented me as a gift this smoky quartz pendant that he has been carving and polishing for several weeks, to wear as Mother-of-the-Bride jewelry! They are a very talented and generous couple, and their creations will be treasured forever in this family!

Rain nor Sleet Stopped THIS Get-together!

We were hoping for no-rain, but alas, it rained on our parade, (no sleet) but once everyone arrived, (Welcome newcomers came from Watsonville and Half-Moon Bay and Philadelphia!) we were comfy, warm, and had plenty of food to nibble on. April brought her already-made jewelry and loose faceted gems and necklaces to sell (I restrained myself from buying one more ring), Jelveh demo-ed beads and one vessel, (Frank now has to cut some more tubing as Misty wants to try blowing glass at home real soon); one brave newie got on the torch with Jelveh's help, and I demo-ed an idea I had, making silver links. I wanted to show how simple links can be made using a hand torch and silver wire, and it takes less tools then lampworking (oops I forgot to show how to simple it is to make a headpin with the torch)! We thoroughly enjoyed seeing new designs, sharing ideas, and meeting new friends! Thank you all for braving the elements and we hope to see you again next month! Frank, Jelveh & Grace

Feb. Monthly Open House, "Green" theme

This Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, 2:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. will be our monthly get-together at GracefulCustoms Studio. Come see our newly remodeled area! We have been busy improving the seating and lighting areas and adding a splash of color, hope you like the cheerful yellow paint! Jelveh will be demoing her latest designs in lampwork glass beads. Open torch time! I will be happy to show anyone the Viking weave to make a silver bracelet! We've added more glass rods to our inventory and some very "happy" colors in anticipation of Spring and our "Floral" class later this month with Corina Tettinger! Refreshments served, bring any jewelry/bead related to "green" and a drawing will be held for $25.00 worth of glass or tools. Congratulations Garnet for being last month's winner!

Wire-Wrapping Class this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

Reminder to all, let me know if you are planning to attend our wire-wrapping class with Jennifer Le this Sunday, 2 classes, pendant wrapping 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Rings 1:30 (or 2:00pm) to 5:00 p.m. 10% discount if you sign up for both classes. Or $75.00 for first class, $55.00, second class! Grace, telephone number 408 848-5598; Graceful Customs Lampworking Glass & Jewelry Studio, 10730 Center Ave., Gilroy, CA

Jennifer Le Returns to Wire-Wrap Rings and Other Things!!

Jennifer Le returns to Graceful Customs Studio on January 17, 2010 to teach her delightful wire wrap style. She will teach two classes as follows:

9:00AM - 1:00PM Basic Wire-Wrap Class and the project is a pendant. She will have materials available, some free, some (such as precious metal) at cost. She will have cabochons(polished natural stones), but you are welcomed to bring your own.

1:30pm-4:30pm Advanced Wire-Wrap Class, and the project is a ring. Same as before, she will have materials available, free or at cost.

After a mere four years of experience in wire wrapping, Jennifer’s designs have drawn the attention of many people in the area. Her designs are elegant and attractive. Come and see her work, take her class and learn for yourself the pleasure and satisfaction of fine wire wrapped jewelry.

The cost of the class is $75.00 for the 4 hr. class, $55.00 for the 2nd class, 3 hrs., or both class for 10% off, or $117.00, instead of $130.00 total.

Jennifer is a patient and thorough teacher who can make sure that you get the most out of the learning experience. Her designs are stunning. You will learn the fundamentals, then how to extend and expand on your own designs. e-mail me or call me at 408 848-5598 if you are interested, classes are limited to 10 students. All needed tools available and a light lunch provided for those staying for both classes.

Pics from our Wire Wrapping Class this weekend!

Thank you Jennifer for coming to Graceful Customs Studio to teach our first wire-wrapping class! You (& Jim) were fantastic and generous with your polished stones and detailed instruction on wrapping any shape stone! Yes, it was difficult to talk over our excitable noise, (next time we won't let Garnet sit between Lu & Jelveh) we couldn't hardly wait for that "next step" instruction! Peg was the quiet one! We did have a great time and were so appreciate to take home a finished pendant. You were so patient and detailed! Now we need to practice, practice, practice!

The next class Jennifer will be teaching will be "Rings!"

Wire-Wrapping Class Here!

See Jennifer's wire-work designs below. We have a few openings left for her class, Sunday, Nov. 15.

We're officially open!

Well last weekend's open house was well-attended with many already well-known glass and jewelry artists and interested local neighbors! Jelveh from Jelveh Designs had a 5 hr basic lampwork class early morning, with 3 totally new students and one already established artist, Garnet, who told me she always learns something new and improved from Jelveh! The class was followed by an open house with snacks and jewelry sales by 5 artists. Jelveh continued to burn the torch, giving demos to visitors who never saw torchwork before (they all wore glasses). She made a small vessel, a fish, a pumpkin, and other beads!
We had many requests to list new classes and are in the process of developing a newsletter. Jelveh will be having a basic lampwork beginner's class about every 4-6 wks, a wirewrapping class to be taught by my friend Jennifer Le is being planned, I will post her jewelry soon. Torch time is also available in the studio.
And Corina Tettinger from Corina's Beads has agreed to conduct a 2nd session here. The first session of Sat & Sun, Oct 24 & 25 is sold out, the 2nd session, Wed & Thurs, Oct 28 & 29 still has a few openings. We are so excited to have her here and hope to show her South County's local sights!

Progress Report...

Here we go, getting closer every day. Jelveh & her friend Garnet were here today testing all the torches & kilns. We unpacked all kinds of glass & tools. Its coming along. Everything worked so well. Hubby is busy making mandrels & shop tools. He has done a good job so far, we will get him on a torch pretty soon.
Here is a photo of Jelveh & her friend at the torch.

Don't forget to mark your calenders, Jelveh will be teaching a 5 hour class on Sunday the 20th of September from 8am to 1pm. Then from 2:30pm to 6:30pm we have the grand opening party & torch demo. There will also be lots of food & refreshments for your enjoyment. Then on October 24th & 25th, don't forget Corina of Corina beads will be here to teach a 2 day class.

the address is 10730 Center Ave, Gilroy CA. 95020, let me know if you need direction help. Over night accommodations are available for an additional fee. See you at the studio.

Grace

My New Studio...

Hello, as you may have guessed by now, my name is Grace, I am in the middle of opening my brand new Lampworking, Silver & Stone Jewelry Studio. It is such an awesome creative space, there is also a guest bedroom for out of town students & instructors with full kitchen, bath & laundry facilities...I am hoping to have all kinds of fun talented teachers at my new studio in the months & years to come. Not only you will be able to take classes in all kinds of art forms from Lampworking (Glass Bead making) to Silversmithing at my studio, but you will also be able to come & rent the studio by the hour to work on what you have learned in our classes. The studio will also be available for private parties for special events such as Bridal Showers & Girls day out...

The opening date is September 20th from 2:30pm to 6:30pm, My friend & lampworker Jelveh Jaferian of Jelveh Designs will be teaching the first Lampworking class at my studio the same day from 8am to 1pm...this 5 hour beginner class is $125.00. Email me for more information.

Mark your calendars, I am also excited to announce that Corina Tettinger of Corina Beads will be teaching at my studio on October 24th & 25th, her class will start at 10am each day & is scheduled to finish at 6pm, however Corina likes to teach & play in the studio later than 6pm, so you can stay as long as she does. This class is $450.00. Email me for more information.

Here are some photos of the work in progress...

Hope to see you at the studio...

Grace