Virtual private lessons are a fantastic way for you to experience personalized hands-on learning tailored specifically to your preferences and interests. The length of a private lesson is based on your goals, with a two-hour minimum.
Private lesson topics
The process begins with a planning call to pinpoint exactly which skills you want to build or polish. Choose from the following or we can put together a customized lesson plan based on exactly what you want to accomplish.
Basics of working with steel. Learn all the unique characteristics and wonderful advantages of steel. Topics include sourcing, prepping, shearing, forming soldering, scoring/bending and more. This topic can also include an introduction to steel wire, perforated steel and woven wire mesh. You’ll gain a solid understanding of steel and how to incorporate it into your work.
Fusing gold silver and other non-ferrous metals to steel. Nothing is more beautiful than the contrast of buttery yellow gold against the jet black of patinated steel. Other non-ferrous metals also create their own magic when fused to steel. Topics include prepping the steel and non-ferrous metals for fusing, different in fusing techniques and torch control based on the type of fuel used, fusing multiple metals, fusing powdered metals including powdered metals paint, designing with fused steel and more. You’ll come away with the knowledge and tips to build skills for creating eye-catching steel and non-ferrous jewelry.
Etching steel. Through my years-long experimentation with etching steel, I developed a technique called Radical Etching, which we will cover in this private class. Topics include the basics of the etching process, including application of resists, preparation of the chemicals, electro-etching set-up and etching process. In addition, we’ll cover a range of new and non-traditional etching resists, some borrowed from the printmakers and others that will completely surprise you. Finally, we will cover unconventional etching techniques including under and over-etching, stepped etching and breakthrough etching, You’ll gain an expanded awareness of the possibilities with the etching process and the advantages of steel for it. The techniques learned in this class are also applicable to etching non-ferrous metals.
Keum Boo/Eun Boo on steel. Did you know that Keum Boo works beautifully on steel? Traditionally a technique done on silver, Keum Boo, when used with steel is a standout because steel offers some key advantages. In addition to gold foil, silver foil can also be applied using the same process (Eun Boo when using silverand providing an opportunity for you to create dramatic results without breaking the budget. Topics include a brief dive into the history and science of Keum Boo/Eun Boo, prepping the metals, cutting the foil, proper burnishers and other tools, heat sources, bonding processes, finishing and protecting the work. You will come away with an understanding of the Keum Boo/Eun Boo process and how it works differently with steel, a comfort level with the steps and troubleshooting involved in Keum Boo/Eun Boo, protecting the finished work and the design aspects of Keum Boo/Eun Boo on steel.
This is only a sampling of the topics that we can cover in private lessons. In our pre-class planning call, we will pin down exactly the topics you want to cover. In addition, I will send you an estimate of the time required to adequately achieve your goals.
Private lesson cost
The cost for online private lessons is based on the number of students–from one to three per class. This means you can gather some friends or collegues who want to learn the same topics and all of you will save money. There is a two-hour minimum and classes hour hours or longer can be broken into segments.
The per-student cost is scaled based on the number of students, with a three-student maximum:
- One student=$115 per hour per student
- Two students=$90 per hour per student
- Three students=$75 per hour per student
If you want to learn more or are interested in scheduling a private lesson, please contact me via email.