Upcoming Classes
Bark Carving
Jewelry-Scale Stonecarving |
October 17 - 23, 2021
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Gatlinburg, Tennessee Say “so long” to common cabochons! Learn to carve medium-hard rocks and stones on a jewelry-friendly scale. Demonstrations and work time will cover a variety of approaches, with an emphasis on hand tools and low-tech lapidary techniques. We’ll also look at strategies for making your carving wearable, including embedded findings, tensioned settings, and woven cordage. Participants will shape and polish at least one stone, and finish it into a pendant, ring, or other adornment. Those students who wish to create metal settings should have previous soldering experience; otherwise, all levels are welcome. To register: https://www.arrowmont.org/workshops/jewelry-scale-stonecarving-julia-harrison/ 
July 10 - 14, 2023
Pocosin Arts Columbia, North Carolina Wood might get more attention, but bark can also be an excellent carving material. Relatively soft and fragile, bark responds better to strategy and patience than to force; it’s great for carvers with lower hand strength and those looking to improve sculpting skills. In this class we’ll carve cottonwood bark, using natural forms such as leaves and seeds as our models. Learn to choose and stabilize your material, layout and rough your form, and use sharp tools to leave a satisfying surface. For details and registration |
General Course Information
In addition to my scheduled classes, I am available for private and small group instruction, online or in-person (COVID restrictions permitting).
Examples include:
-quick and fun earring or pendant parties for showers, workplace team-building, or family get-togethers
-one-time or ongoing coaching on topics such as carving, jewelry design, or choosing and maintaining tools
-short intensive workshops based on the "signature" themes below, or tailored to your goals
Please contact me for a detailed proposal based on your needs and interests.
Examples include:
-quick and fun earring or pendant parties for showers, workplace team-building, or family get-togethers
-one-time or ongoing coaching on topics such as carving, jewelry design, or choosing and maintaining tools
-short intensive workshops based on the "signature" themes below, or tailored to your goals
Please contact me for a detailed proposal based on your needs and interests.
Signature Workshops
Jewelry That Grows on Trees
Beautiful, versatile, and widely available, wood is an ideal alternative material for jewelry. Learn to work with wood using tools and techniques appropriate for use in a home studio. From creating simple shapes and refining surfaces, we'll progress to embellishments such as resin inlay, pique, and stone-setting, and to creating more complex dimensional form such as rings and cuffs.
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Kitchen Table Jewelry
Want to make jewelry without investing in an expensive setup? Learn how simple tools and safe materials can turn your desk or table into a productive jewelry studio. We’ll cover sawing, texturing, drilling, polishing, clasp fabrication, chain making - and more! Create professional - looking pieces to wear or give. Perfect for both novice jewelers and those wanting to reinvigorate lapsed skills.
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Student Experience
I'm thrilled when students whip up something great in class, but my real goal is to set them up to succeed outside of class. Whatever the subject or duration of the workshop, I want students to leave with solid skills, in-depth knowledge, and confidence in their own abilities and creative vision.
You can see work made by previous workshop participants on my blog, and here are some comments from class evaluations:
You can see work made by previous workshop participants on my blog, and here are some comments from class evaluations:
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"My experience was inspiring, motivating, and challenging--which is what I wanted--learned skills I will carry over and continue, lifelong lessons."
"[Julia] was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and very capable of communicating instruction, questions--very pleasant and enjoyable." "Excellent class! I loved the content, and Julia was great about explaining things in simple terms." "Julia was extremely prepared with wealth of information and tips and tricks. Lots of work time! Worth the 12 hour + drive." "Wonderful teaching style--perfect balance of demos & work time. Really fun and much more depth to the work than I had imagined." "Julia is an engaging instructor, clearly knows her medium, very generous." "I really enjoyed this class...I'm excited to be about to do these things at home in my ill-equipped studio. Very inspiring." |