Fundamentals of Silversmithing
Silversmithing
This 12-part, 4+ hour course extensively covers the foundational skills you will need to build silver items from jewelry to saddle silver with a western flair. Nevada teaches how to operate a wide range of tools, safely solder items with a torch, and the process to add dimension and shape to items. So if you are ready to start your silversmithing journey, join me!
Hello Good People and welcome! This course is the flagship course for Be A Maker School (BAMS) covering the Fundamentals of Silversmithing. I started BAMS with this course because these skills are essential to my trade and the jumping off point for any aspiring silversmith.
I took a skill based approach in this course teaching you the “how to” rather than the “what to” so that you have the ability to build whatever your creativity comes up with! In this course you will learn:
- How to cut out items using a jewelers saw, how to choose the right blade and tips for clean cutting
- How to use files both in a functional sense to clean up saw lines and also how to add decorative elements
- In depth overview of how to set up an acetylene torch, then how to solder items. We go over simple overlays and more complex soldering techniques with multiple solder seams
- How to use a Flex Shaft and Buffer to both clean up your items and to add a polish
- How to shape common silver items using basic hand tools
- And finally how to add patina to make your designs pop!
I wholeheartedly believe that there is room for everyone to be their own MAKER and if silver is your area of interest, this class is a great starting point. Fabrication to me adds so much more value to my trade because it's not just adding decorative elements with engraving but rather I have the freedom to fully build my imagined item from the ground up!
~Nevada
Plans for all Levels
We know everyone is starting their Maker journey from different places. Be A Maker School is set to excel the novice silversmith and walk the greenhorn from the ground up. We believe in our program and we are certain it will provide you with the fundamentals to creating a business of your dreams or a hobby that you can pour your heart into and be proud of. Whatever direction you go we want to see you succeed and we know you can with BAMS!
Quarterly Open Erollment is open January 1st- 14th, 2025
Email us at Info@beamaker.school with questions or to be added to the waitlist.
Dabbler
You want access to the best of the best but time and/or budget is limited. Don't count you out YOU WILL make your dreams a reality with the Dabbler level.
- Monthly release of 2 videos (1 video every 14 days will become available in your course)
- Monthly video releases available only while subscription is active. Student will be automatically enrolled in the next available course until cancelation.
BAMS Membership*with access to Makers FB GroupResource list of tools and suppliesOne Live Q&A monthlyMonthly 30 minute One-On-One Zoom with Nevada
$47 USD/month**
** this level will not require re-enrollment for future courses. 2 videos a month will be provided until you cancel your membership.
Doer
Creating a business or mastering a craft ...you are ready to DO IT! Use the tools in the Doer level to get the advice you need and work at the pace that works for you
- Unlimited Access to all 12 training Videos
- BAMS Membership* with access to Makers FB Group
- Resource list of tools and supplies
- One Live Q&A monthly for 6 months
- One 30 minute One-On-One Zoom with Nevada
Monthly 30 minute One-On-One Zoom with Nevada
6 monthly payments of $127 USD*
Pay In Full Save $50
*This level is paid as a lump sum or can be broken up into 6 payments. After all payments are made this includes Lifetime Access to videos.
Dedicated
Your commitment is no joke! You are looking for a mentor to take you all the way. Nevada will personally be there to walk you to the next level with these great perks.
- Unlimited Access to all 12 training videos
- BAMS Membership* with access to Makers FB Group
- Resource list of tools and supplies
- One Live Q&A monthly for 6 months
- Monthly 30 minute One-On-One Zoom with Nevada for 6 months
- Option to purchase additonal one on ones with Nevada after your 6 months for continued support
- (Limited Availability)
6 Monthly payments of $247 USD
(that's $8.09 per day)
Pay in full save $100
*This level is paid as a lump sum or can be broken up into 6 payments. After all payments are made this includes Lifetime Access to videos.
ESTIMATE INITIAL INVESTMENT COSTS FOR TOOLS & MATERIAL
Below is a list of the Top Tools I would prioritize purchasing for this course, this is clearly not all the tools you could end up using but these will help you hit the ground running. Don't get overwhlemed by all the tools you could buy rather get started practicing the skills and slowly add tools as time and budget allow. Lastly a lot of tools used in one course can be used in another of the same trade.
- Bench Pin, Jewelers Saw, and Blades ~$42 ( I know this is 3 tools but they work in unison)
- Needle File Set Cut #2 ~$43
- Butane Torch (if you are a beinner doing small items with limited space) ~$40, But I use a Acetylene Torch and highly reccomend it if you can afford it ~$485 + Acetylene ~$40-90.
- Essestial Pliers: Flush Cutters $25, Hole Punch (if you dont have a drill to make holes for earring wires etc) $12, Flat Nose Pliers $7, Flat and Round Nose Pliers $8
- Foredom ~$405 ( you can use a foredom for a multitude of tasks from polishing to cleaning up solder etc) and Tip Set ~$70
- Nylon Hammer ~$15 & Mandrel (either ring or bracelet whichever you plan on making more of). Ring Mandrel $50. Bracelet Mandrel $38
- Copper Sheet to practice with 22 Guage $22 for earrings, 16 Gauge $33 for Bracelets and rings.
- Total of my Top Tools = $727 (with butane torch)
What if you could...
~Take an idea in your head and actually build it from the ground up?
~Have the confidence to add layers with soldering and not be limited to 2-D items
~Use this desire to start a business of your dreams?
I can’t say enough good things about Nevada! She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others, and it shows throughout her teaching. Not only is she an excellent teacher, but a great person as well. She is genuine, encouraging and uplifting. She has an excellent way of noticing strengths in you, and pushing you creatively. Her experience with her craft shines through in her thoughtfully outlined courses.
— Courtney S.
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