Classes, Workshops and Tutorials


Welcome to my little studio! Here is where the magic happens! I spend all the time I can in here creating. And it is truly my happy place! But after retiring from a 30+ year career in teaching it turned out I couldn't get it out of my system. I began my second teaching career as an instructor of metalsmithing and metal clay at the Maitland Art Center just north of my hometown of Orlando. After several very happy years there, I finally had the opportunity to bring my dream to life and open my own studio! I found my new home in FAVO - Faith Arts Village Orlando. FAVO is a vintage '50s era motel at the north end of Downtown Orlando converted into artist studios. Such a cool, funky vibe, it is a wonderful community of artists that I am thrilled to be a part of! So come by and visit us during one of our monthly First Friday (and Saturday) Open House Art Strolls. Or better yet, come and take a class with us!

SEE OUR CLASSES AND ENROLL NOW!

Unlock your creativity and adorn yourself with the artistry of jewelry-making! Join our expert-led classes and delve into the enchanting world of crafting exquisite ornaments. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned artisan, our comprehensive curriculum caters to all skill levels. Master the art of beadwork, wire wrapping, and knotting, delve into the timeless allure of metal smithing or work magic with your hands in metal clay. With hands-on guidance and a supportive community, you'll hone your craftsmanship while designing stunning pieces that reflect your unique style. Unleash your imagination and let your creativity shine in our jewelry-making classes. Enroll today and embark on a journey of self-expression and craftsmanship! 

 


Upcoming classes & workshops:

 

Beginning Metalsmithing

Mondays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 5:30-8:30 pm

Learn the basics of metalsmithing in this guided 6-week course! Saw, file, solder, and shape metal to create your own silver jewelry. No experience needed.

 

Beginning Precious Metal Clay

Tuesdays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Discover the fascinating world of jewelry making with our introductory class on precious metal clay!

Date Night Make Matching Rings Workshops

Saturday, January 17, & Saturday, February 14, 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Looking for a date night that goes beyond the usual dinner and movie? Step into a world of creativity and connection with our "Couples Ring-Making Night."

Girls' Night Out Make Earrings in Precious Metal Clay Workshop

Friday, January 23, 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Grab your friends and trade the usual night out for something creative, sparkly, and unforgettable! Our Girls’ Night Out Silver Earring Workshop is the perfect blend of fun, friendship, and hands-on artistry.

Have a Heart Valentine Silver Heart Jewelry Workshop

January 31, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Just in time for Valentine's! Create a stunning one-of-a-kind heart jewelry to show your love for someone special (including yourself!).

 

Mom's Day Out Jewelry Workshop

Monday, February 16, 930 am - 2:30 pm

Moms do so much—this is your time. Treat yourself to a Mom’s Day Out Jewelry Workshop where you can slow down, get creative, and make something beautiful just for you. In this welcoming, stress-free class, you’ll design and create your own piece of jewelry using fine silver precious metal clay—a fascinating material that’s shaped by hand and transforms into solid, pure silver when fired. No experience is needed! You’ll be guided step by step as you texture, form, and finish a one-of-a-kind silver piece to wear with pride. Enjoy a few hours of creativity, conversation, and calm while connecting with other moms who understand the value of taking a little time for yourself. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a handcrafted fine silver jewelry piece and the satisfying glow that comes from making something meaningful with your own hands.

Knot-Your-Grandmmother's-Pearls Knotting Workshop

Tuesday, February 17, 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Discover the joy of creating timeless jewelry with a playful, hands-on twist! Our Pearl & Bead Knotting Workshop is a fun and relaxing way to learn a classic jewelry skill while making something beautiful and wearable. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn traditional knotting techniques used in fine jewelry as you design your own strand using pearls and beads. Choose from a gorgeous selection of materials to create a piece that’s elegant, modern, or effortlessly chic. We’ll guide you step by step, so whether it’s your first time or you’re brushing up on your skills, you’ll feel confident and inspired. This workshop is perfect for friends, moms’ groups, date nights, or solo creatives looking for a creative escape. Enjoy great conversation, hands-on learning, and the satisfaction of leaving with a finished, professionally knotted piece you’ll be proud to wear or gift.

Make Embelished Stacking Rings

Saturday, March 14, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Design jewelry that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful in our Sterling Silver Stacking Rings Workshop, where classic metalsmithing meets the magic of fine silver precious metal clay. In this hands-on class, you’ll create delicate sterling silver stacking rings using traditional metalsmithing techniques—forming, soldering, and polishing your rings for a clean, elegant finish. Then comes the fun part: you’ll design and handcraft tiny charm embellishments from fine silver precious metal clay. Once fired into pure silver, these charms are soldered onto your rings, adding movement, texture, and personal symbolism. No experience is necessary. You’ll be guided step by step in a relaxed, creative environment, with plenty of room to explore your own style—minimal and modern or sweet and whimsical. The result? A set of handcrafted stacking rings that feel refined, personal, and truly one of a kind.

Spring has Sprung Real Leaves Silver Jewelry Workshop

Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Capture the beauty of nature and turn it into timeless jewelry in our Real Leaf Fine Silver Jewelry Workshop. In this creative, hands-on class, you’ll use real leaves to imprint their delicate veins and textures into fine silver precious metal clay, preserving nature’s details forever in pure silver. You’ll learn how to select and prepare leaves, roll and texture the clay, and shape it into a pendant, earrings, or charm. Once fired, the clay transforms into solid fine silver, revealing stunning organic patterns that make each piece truly one of a kind. No two leaves are ever the same—and neither is your jewelry. This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for nature lovers, gardeners, hikers, and anyone drawn to organic, meaningful design. Relax, connect, and enjoy the magic of watching a simple leaf become a wearable keepsake.

Make a Tiny Bird House or Fairy House Pendant in Silver Precious Metal Clay

Monday, March 30 & Monday, April 6, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Step into a world of imagination and craftsmanship in this enchanting Fine Silver Precious Metal Clay Workshop, where you’ll build a tiny birdhouse or fantasy fairy house pendant—a miniature sculpture you can wear. In this hands-on, beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to construct three-dimensional forms using fine silver precious metal clay. Shape walls, roofs, doors, and windows, add charming textures and details, and bring your tiny house to life with your own creative flair. Once completed, your piece is carefully fired, transforming it into solid fine silver with beautiful depth and detail.

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Lots of new classes and workshops will be coming in the new year! Check back soon to see!

Follow us on EVENTBRITE, FingernailMoonJewelry, to see all of the latest updates and to sign up!

 

 Keep Reading to find out more!  --->   --->  --->  --->  --->A pair of hands are seen working on a piece of metal clay jewelry.

NOW AVAILABLE! Classes, workshops, tutorials and special events!

  • Are you ready to jump in the deep end and really develop your skills so that you can design and create your own jewelry? Then multi-week classes are for you.

  • Aren't ready to commit to a full course? Check out the variety of one- and two-day workshops if you'd like to dip your toes in.

  • If you have special event coming up, book a private jewelry-making party! WIN!

  • Prefer to learn at your convenience in the comfort of your home? Coming soon: online classes and tutorials!

 

 

METALSMITHING

Metalsmithing or silversmithing, also known as metalworking or smithing, is a craft or trade that involves working with metal to create various objects, such as jewelry, sculptures, tools, or decorative items. It is a form of craftsmanship that dates back thousands of years. It involves various techniques, including forging, casting, soldering, and shaping metal using tools such as hammers, anvils, torches, and specialized equipment. Metalsmithing requires precision, patience, and creativity, combining technical knowledge with artistic expression. In other words, you'll get to bang on metal, play with fire and make beautiful jewelry!

 

Beginning Metalsmithing

  • Skill level: beginner, no experience required
  • 6-weeks, 3 hours per class
  • Cost: $300
  • Materials: metal must be purchased by student, total cost $150-$200 or more, all in-class supplies provided (solder, gas, pickle, tools, etc.)

Discover the wonderful world of metalsmithing. This class is intended for those with little or no experience in metal work. Through a structured series of projects, students will get extensive hands-on experience in the basics of metal work. Best practices will be taught including cutting, sawing, forging, soldering, polishing, etc. All necessary tools will be provided by the instructor.  Sterling silver wire will be provided for the first project, all additional metal must be supplied by the student.

 

Metalsmithing Open Studio

  • Skill level: intermediate, advanced
  • 4-weeks, 3 hours per class
  • Class fee: $200

Enjoy collegial time with other jewelry makers. This class is for students with at least basic skills in metalsmithing. During this open-studio time, students can work on their own projects at their own pace. There will not be active instruction, special projects and/or skills will not be introduced in this class. Students work independently but the instructor is always available to answer questions and assist. All tools will be available for student use during class, but students must provide their own metal and stones.

 

Metalsmithing Special Projects

  • Skill level: TBD per class
  • Cost and duration: TBD per class

These classes are based on one unique project for the entire session. The classes are designed to create one project, and instruction will be provided for all skills required. Students will design their own piece within the parameters of the project. The number of classes and the cost are determined by the nature of the project. Tools and in-class materials are included, but student must provide their own metal.

 

 

PRECIOUS METAL CLAY

Precious metal clay was invented in Japan in the early 1990s. It is the only new method of creating jewelry to come along in millenia. Metal clay combines metal that has been ground into a fine powder with a non-toxic binder such as cellulose and water. This forms lump clay that can be worked like any other clay: rolled flat, shaped, molded, textured, carved, sanded, filed and formed. Once shaped, it is fired in a kiln or with a torch, depending on the type of clay, during which time the binders burn away and what is left is a solid piece of hand crafted metal.  Metal clays are available in fine and sterling silver, gold, copper, bronze, and many other base metals. It is a fun and fast way to make jewelry without the elbow grease and costly tools necessary for smithing.

Beginning Metal Clay

  • Skill level: beginner, no experience required

  • 6-weeks, 3 hours per class

  • Cost: $300

  • Materials: metal clay must be purchased by student, total cost $150-$200 or more

Discover the wonderful world of precious metal clay. This class is intended for those with little or no experience in metal clay. Through a structured series of projects, students will get extensive hands-on experience in the basics of metal clay. Best practices will be taught including rolling, texturing, cutting, shaping, refining, firing, finishing, etc. All necessary tools will be provided by the instructor.  10 grams of fine silver metal clay will be provided for the first project, all additional metal clay must be supplied by the student.

 

  Open Studio Metal Clay

  • Skill level: intermediate, advanced

  • 4-weeks, 3 hours per class

  • Cost: $200

  • Firing fee (optional)**: $5 per firing for any 2-stage fire clays (most sterling and base metals)

Enjoy collegial time with other metal clay makers. This class is for students with at least basic skills in metal clay. During this open-studio time, students can work on their own projects at their own pace. There will not be active instruction, special projects and/or skills will not be introduced in this class. Students work independently but the instructor is always available to answer questions and assist. Textures, molds, cutters, etc. will be available for student use during class, but students will be required to bring their own personal working tools.

 

 Metal Clay Special Projects

  • Skill level: TBD per class
  • Cost and duration: TBD per class

These classes are based on one unique project for the entire session. The classes are designed to create one project, and instruction will be provided for all skills required. Students will design their own piece within the parameters of the project. The number of classes and the cost are determined by the nature of the project. Textures, molds, cutters, etc. will be available for student use during class, but students must provide their own clay and bring their own personal working tools.

 



TIFFANY METHOD SOFT SOLDER

The "Tiffany Method" of soft soldering is so-called because it is the same process used by Louis Comfort Tiffany of the famed Tiffany stained glass. Jewelry is made with a low temperature solder that melts with a soldering iron rather than a torch, a difference of over 1,000 degrees! The solder used for jewelry is tin based with a small amount of silver, a metal similar to pewter but with silver in it. This method allows for tremendous versatility and a much lower price point, but with fabulous, organic results. With proper guidance, the initial learning curve is quick, you'll be making wonderful pieces right out of the gate!

Soft Solder Jewelry Workshop

  • skill level: beginner
  • 3hours
  • $65, all materials included


BEADING, WIRE WRAPPING, KNOTTING

Join our captivating jewelry making classes where you'll learn the art of crafting stunning accessories. From delicately beaded earrings to enchanting necklaces and bracelets, explore a world of endless possibilities. Dive into the intricate techniques of beading, mastering the skillful arrangement of colors and textures. Delve into the timeless allure of leather knotted bracelets, blending sophistication with a touch of bohemian flair. And for those enchanted by the classic charm of pearls, discover the graceful art of pearl knotting, transforming these lustrous gems into timeless treasures. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned crafter, our classes offer a welcoming environment to nurture your creativity and ignite your passion for jewelry making. 

  • Workshops
    • Skill level: beginner
    • 5 +/- hours, depending on workshop
    • $50-$125, depending on workshop and materials
  • Classes
    • Skill level: beginner
    • 4 class sessions, 3-hours each
    • $200, all materials provided



SPECIAL EVENTS

Celebrate life's special moments with a touch of sparkle and creativity! Elevate your gatherings with our exclusive jewelry-making parties, perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, team building events, mother-daughter bonding, and more. Gather your friends, teammates or loved ones and embark on a delightful journey of crafting bespoke treasures together. Our expert instructors will guide you through the intricate process of designing and assembling stunning jewelry pieces tailored to your unique tastes. From charming bracelets to elegant earrings, each creation will be a reflection of your shared memories and the joy of creating together. With an array of materials and techniques to explore, our jewelry-making parties promise unforgettable moments of laughter, creativity, and connection. Let us turn your special occasions into glittering memories that will last a lifetime. Call now to book your event with us today and indulge in the magic of handmade jewelry! 


  • 3-5 hours
  • $50-175 per person

Have fun while creating beautiful memories AND beautiful jewelry in a specially designed workshop with a party atmosphere! Price per person and length of gathering will depend on the project chosen, see examples below. No experience necessary and all materials and tools are provided. Perfect for birthday parties, bridal showers, girls’ night out, date night, or any gathering or celebration.

  • Location: 
    • Fingernail Moon Studio at FAVO in downtown Orlando
    • **For larger groups, event may be held at an off-site venue arranged by client. Location must be approved by Fingernail Moon before booking. All rental expenses and requirements must be handled by the client. Depending on the location of the venue, project and number of guests, additional travel fee might be applied.
  • Schedule: Weekdays, some evening and weekend dates and times available. Please call well in advance to book
  • Group:
    • In studio: minimum 2, maximum 8-10 depending on the project
    • At another venue of your choice: minimum 5, maximum 10-20 depending on the project and the venue
  • Age: 14 years and up; 14-17 year-olds must have adult supervision
    • Events for children 6-13 require adult supervision
  • Decorations: special decorations must be provided by the clients, but may be limited by studio requirements, please check in advance
  • Food and beverage: food and drinks as well as cups, plates, etc., must be provided by the clients; beer and wine are permitted, but attendees must be of legal drinking age
  • Deposit: 50% non-refundable deposit required at time of booking

Special event examples:

  • Wedding shower: Make a pair of pearl and crystal earrings, 2 hours, $50/pp
  • Baby shower: Make a “Mommy” bracelet, 3 hours, $50+/pp
  • Date night: Make matching (or not) silver rings, 3 hours, $75+/pp*
  • Parent/Child dayout**: Make a fun stretch bracelet, 3 hours, $50+/pp*
  • Girls’ Night Out: Make an aromatherapy oil diffuser bracelet, 3 hours, $50+/pp
  • Guys’ Night Out: Make a wood and knotted leather bracelet, 3 hours, $50+/pp
  • Birthday party adult (14 years and up): Make hammered metal and bead earrings, 4 hours, $75+/pp*
  • Birthday party child (ages 6-13)***: Make a fun stretch bracelet, 3 hours, $50+/pp
  • Team building: Make a knotted leather and bead bracelet, 3-4 hours, $65+/pp*
  • Let’s talk it over and tailor an event to your specific needs!

*price may vary depending on materials chosen

**children 6 and up, children must be accompanied by adult

***children must be accompanied by adults, instructor is only there to teach and cannot provide child supervision