Beginning Blacksmithing

This class will introduce students to blacksmithing by focusing on various forging techniques including tapering, shouldering, fullering, twisting, drifting and more. We will also cover non-forging techniques such as drilling and finishing. Students will complete several small projects and samples during the course while working towards one or more substantial works. Limit 8 students. Class meets 3 hours a week on Tuesday evenings. Six Sessions. $495, most material included.

Schedule: Tuesdays, 6 - 9 pm, November 10 - December 15, 2026

Location:

Smith Shop, 180 Victor St, Highland Park, MI 48203

Instructor Biography:

Samuel Patmon has been working in metal for nearly a decade. He has been an apprentice at Smith Shop since 2024. He is a member of the Michigan Artist Blacksmith’s Association, has been an assistant at the Penland School of Crafts, and has demonstrated most recently at the Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil Quad State meet. His passion for metalwork and his enthusiasm for blacksmithing is contagious.

Description:

In this two day workshop couples will learn how to make their own wedding rings using silver, gold, platinum or palladium. All of the basics will be covered including measuring, sawing, forming, soldering, filing, sanding, texturing and finishing. Each student will fabricate a practice ring before making the final ring in their chosen material. No metals experience is needed. Safety equipment provided. Limit 5 couples. Cost: $495 per couple + materials.

Schedule:

Saturday and Sunday, January 16th and 17th, 2027

9am - 3pm. 2 days, 6 hours with a break for lunch.

Materials and Design Meeting: TBD, scheduled with each couple upon registration. See note below.

Note: For this class students must order and pay for material in advance. Please email us after registering to confirm material choices and arrange payment.

Location:

Smith Shop, 180 Victor St, Highland Park, MI 48203

Instructor Biography:

Amy Weiks is Co-owner and Co-founder of Smith Shop. She began her art career as a photographer before studying printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland. She discovered metalsmithing in 2004 and has been a practicing metalsmith since. Amy’s innate sense of form and composition along with her detail oriented nature help drive Smith Shop’s exacting standards of quality. Amy has shown her artwork nationally and internationally including exhibitions at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston, TX, The Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, WA, and Galerie Marzee in Nijmegen, Netherlands. In 2013 Weiks had a solo exhibition at Velvet da Vinci, a noted jewelry gallery in San Francisco, CA. She received her BFA from Western Michigan University her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Description:

In Intermediate Jewelry students will continue to build upon the foundational techniques learned in the Beginning Jewelry course, with emphasis on more complex soldering, fabrication, and stone setting. This short session (3 weeks) will focus on flush and tube settings with small faceted stones and melting down precious metal scrap to recycle into new projects. The skills taught in this course can be applied to a variety of jewelry forms including rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Students will complete 1-2 projects during the course. Limit 10 students. Classes meet 3 hours once a week.

*Completion of Beginning Jewelry Class or equivalent experience required.*

Schedule:

Mondays, 6-9pm. December 7th - December 21st, 2026

Location:

Smith Shop, 180 Victor St, Highland Park, MI 48203

Instructor Biography:

Amy Weiks is Co-owner and Co-founder of Smith Shop. She began her art career as a photographer before studying printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland. She discovered metalsmithing in 2004 and has been a practicing metalsmith since. Amy’s innate sense of form and composition along with her detail oriented nature help drive Smith Shop’s exacting standards of quality. Amy has shown her artwork nationally and internationally including exhibitions at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston, TX, The Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, WA, and Galerie Marzee in Nijmegen, Netherlands. In 2013 Weiks had a solo exhibition at Velvet da Vinci, a noted jewelry gallery in San Francisco, CA. She received her BFA from Western Michigan University her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Description:

In this one day workshop students will learn how to use thin gauge wire to make jewelry. While the course will focus on earrings as a vehicle for developing wire skills, the techniques can be applied to a variety of jewelry forms. Students will practice using copper and brass wire, then progress to using silver wire for their finished projects. Students should plan to make several pairs of earrings during this one day workshop. No previous metals experience is required, but students with experience may find this workshop will open new avenues of exploration for working with wire. Limit 10 students. Cost: $165, some silver provided.

Schedule:

Saturday, December 5th. 9am-3:30pm with a short break for lunch.

Location:

Smith Shop, 180 Victor St, Highland Park, MI 48203

Instructor Biography:

Amy Weiks is Co-owner and Co-founder of Smith Shop. She began her art career as a photographer before studying printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland. She discovered metalsmithing in 2004 and has been a practicing metalsmith since. Amy’s innate sense of form and composition along with her detail oriented nature help drive Smith Shop’s exacting standards of quality. Amy has shown her artwork nationally and internationally including exhibitions at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston, TX, The Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, WA, and Galerie Marzee in Nijmegen, Netherlands. In 2013 Weiks had a solo exhibition at Velvet da Vinci, a noted jewelry gallery in San Francisco, CA. She received her BFA from Western Michigan University her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Description:

In this Beginning Jewelry Class new students will learn fundamental jewelry fabrication techniques including sawing, filing, sanding, soldering, riveting and finishing. Skills taught in this course can be applied to a variety of jewelry forms including rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. Returning students (or those with skills equivalent to our Beginning Jewelry course) are welcome to work on independent projects with assistance from the instructor. Students can expect to complete 2-3 small projects during the course. Limit 10 students. Classes meet 3 hours once a week. Open to all levels of experience.

Schedule:

Tuesdays 6-9pm, January 12 - February 16

Location:

Smith Shop, 180 Victor St, Highland Park, MI 48203

Instructor Biography:

Amy Weiks is Co-owner and Co-founder of Smith Shop. She began her art career as a photographer before studying printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland. She discovered metalsmithing in 2004 and has been a practicing metalsmith since. Amy’s innate sense of form and composition along with her detail oriented nature help drive Smith Shop’s exacting standards of quality. Amy has shown her artwork nationally and internationally including exhibitions at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston, TX, The Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, WA, and Galerie Marzee in Nijmegen, Netherlands. In 2013 Weiks had a solo exhibition at Velvet da Vinci, a noted jewelry gallery in San Francisco, CA. She received her BFA from Western Michigan University her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.