Discover the Best Jewelry Making Classes in Los Angeles
Jewelry making involves the creation of decorative items to be used as wearables. Jewelry can be made from a variety of materials, including clay, glass, beads, metal, and plastic, among many more. There are a variety of items that can be made as jewelry. This might include necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings, and watches. The tools and techniques you need to know to make your own jewelry vary widely depending on the type of jewelry you’re making and the material you are making it from. While so many factors might seem daunting, jewelry making is a hobby that can be simple and very beginner-friendly. There are many entry points to the craft with options to improve your skills with more advanced techniques, should you wish to make more complex pieces.
Why You Should Learn Jewelry Making in Los Angeles
There are many reasons for picking up a new hobby. Many people find that learning to make jewelry increases their feelings of happiness and accomplishment. Getting into the flow of physical motions involved in jewelry making can also have a meditative effect that releases stress. The combined increase in dopamine and the release of stress chemicals have been reported to temporarily boost the immune system. Overall, engaging in an enjoyable hobby is a great mood booster.
Starting a new hobby can also increase your social circle. Many people turn to in-person or online communities for guidance and inspiration when picking up a new craft. These communities can be excellent sources of support and motivation. It’s even possible for long-life friends to be made through these connections.
Jewelry making can become a new source of income. When someone becomes passionate and skilled in a hobby, that hobby often becomes a side hustle. This new source of income can be enough to cover the cost of a hobbyist's supplies and tools. Others earn enough from their hobby to equate to a part or full-time job. It should be noted that not everyone chooses to monetize jewelry making, and that’s okay! What’s important is the value an individual personally receives from the craft.
In-Person Jewelry Making Classes in Los Angeles
Residents can find several in-person jewelry making classes in Los Angeles. Many of these courses are open to pure beginners and jewelry makers of all skill levels.
Jewel City Beads
Jewel City Beads is a store and studio located in Montrose that carries a variety of jewelry supplies and specializes in beads made from a variety of materials, including gemstone, bone, shell, pearl, and crystal. Classes are open to jewelers of all levels, including hobbyists and experienced designers.
Basic Beading is an ideal class for beginning jewelers. Students get to create their own designs and learn proper techniques for making bracelets, necklaces, and earrings using beads. Other classes previously held by Jewel City Beads include wire wrapped necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Classes are designed for either beginners or all skill levels. Check online or stop in-store to inquire about more classes.
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College offers a variety of classes to aid students in pursuing their chosen careers and personal interests. Founded in 1929, the school has grown to provide courses in over 80 fields of study, including healthcare, computer technology, and graphic design, among others.
For hobbyists and aspiring jewelry professionals, the college provides a Glass Fusing course where students learn how to create jewelry, ornaments, suncatchers, and other items using fused glass. Participants are encouraged to create their own designs. Students of all skill levels are welcome. The course features an additional materials fee and a tool fee for advanced students.
Other previous jewelry courses held by Santa Monica College include lessons in beaded jewelry, mosaic jewelry, stamped jewelry, pearl knotting, resin casting, and wire wrapping, among many others. Check back for additional class options.
Virtual Jewelry Making Classes
The largest advantage of virtual classes lies in their accessibility. Students can attend these classes from anywhere they prefer without the costly commute required by in-person courses. Since online courses aren’t limited by a physical workspace, they often offer more topic choices and flexible schedules than physical classes.
The downside of online courses, especially when it comes to jewelry making, is that not all courses can replicate the workshop setting of in-person classrooms. Students may need to shop for their own crafting materials to participate in the class rather than having materials provided for them when they attend class in-person. Furthermore, some online jewelry making courses only exist as live demonstrations, rather than being a course where students can follow along and receive guidance in their work. That said, hands-on online workshops do exist for simple crafting techniques that don’t require complex studio tools. If hands-on projects are important to you, be sure to review the courses you are interested in carefully.
CourseHorse jewelry making courses include The Hammered Earring class is on jewelry making course provided by CourseHorse. In this class, participants view a live demonstration of the processes involved in forging, soldering, and finishing hammered earrings. Students can ask questions and receive answers in a live forum. After class, participants will receive a list of materials should they wish to try the craft on their own time.
The Wax Carving Course instructs students on how to design and cast jewelry through the carving of hard wax molds. A materials list is sent to students after registering so they are able to participate in the live demonstration alongside the instruction. The course is open to students of all skill levels.
Private Group Jewelry Making Classes in Los Angeles
Businesses and organizations in search of team building exercises can take advantage of private group jewelry making classes in Los Angeles. Team exercises are excellent for building communication and planning skills among groups. In addition, encouraging teams to engage in entertaining activities increases individual motivation, creativity, and productivity. CourseHorse provides a selection of private group jewelry making classes for team building.
In the Virtual Polymer Clay Jewelry class, students learn how to cut and shape polymer clay to form jewelry pieces. Participants of all skill types are encouraged to attend and create their own unique designs. Various types of jewelry can be created from polymer clay, including keychains, earrings, necklace pendants, and brooches, among others. Thus, this class has something for everyone, even those who don’t feel particularly creative or inclined toward the creation of jewelry.
Another ideal class for team building includes the Virtual Clay Marbling Workshop. While this class focuses on the creation of plates and bowls rather than jewelry, the techniques learned can be applied to the craft. Students work with shaping and molding polymer clay into beautiful marbled designs. The class is very easygoing and an excellent beginner’s course for anyone feeling intimidated by the art.
There are many advantages to booking through CourseHorse. There are no booking fees and reservation confirmation is received within 24 hours. There are no costs if you need to adjust group sizes so long as advance notice is given. CourseHorse also supports multiple meeting platforms, so participants can attend class through whichever virtual meetup program they are most comfortable with. Classes can be personalized for groups at an additional fee. Demos for each course are also available. CourseHorse will even handle the logistics by shipping your guests a package containing all of the necessary materials in advance of the class, meaning all they need to do is show up ready for the session.
