Classes & Workshops
Currently scheduled classes are listed below, along with information on how to reserve your space.
Classes can be booked for individuals, couples or small groups. Pricing is detailed in the descriptions below.
Private classes are held in my Redwood City studio. Group classes can be held at your location, or at a local venue.
Email Natalie@SalayiDesigns.com with any questions, or to schedule your next event.
Upcoming Classes
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Lost Wax Casting January 27
Try out Lost Wax Casting in this 2.5 hour class hosted by Laurel Street Arts in San Carlos.
Tuesday January 27, 6:00-8:30pm.
Tool and materials are all included, and no prior experience is needed. We will use wax to create models of jewelry or small objects, which will be duplicated in metal.
*Participants are responsible for the cost of their metal. Silver is currently $70/oz. Bronze and brass are very affordable options, as is Shibuishi, a Japanese 1:3 silver/copper alloy.
Ages 14+
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Jewelry Making February 24
Learn to make beaded jewelry at Laurel Street Aerts on February 24, 6-8pm.
Enjoy a full selection of beads, findings, tools and instruction during the two hour class. Make as much as time allows.
Family Friendly: Ages 8-10 are welcome with a parent/adult, and ages 11+ can do this class solo.
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Lost Wax Casting March 4
Try out Lost Wax Casting in this 2.5 hour class hosted by Little Green in Redwood City.
Wednesday March 4, 5:30-8pm.
Tool and materials are all included, and no prior experience is needed. We will use wax to create models of jewelry or small objects, which will be duplicated in metal.
*Participants are responsible for the cost of their metal. Silver is currently $70/oz. Bronze and brass are very affordable options, as is Shibuishi, a Japanese 1:3 silver/copper alloy.
Ages 14+
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Enameling on Metal March 10
Learn how to enamel on metal. Hosted at Laurel Street Arts on Tuesday, March 10, 6-8pm
This is an ancient technique, involving applying powdered glass to metal which is then fused into a glossy finish in a kiln. Pieces are done firing within minutes.
This class includes all tools, materials and instruction. Make as much as time allows.
Ages 14+
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Polymer Clay Jewelry March 31
Tuesday March 31, 6-8:00pm at Laurel Street Arts in San Carlos, CA.
Make your own jewelry using polymer clay (Sculpy). This type of clay can be molded, sculpted, rolled and cut before baking at a low temperature. The finished products are durable and colorfast.
Make pendants, earrings, keychains, beads, and more. All tools and materials are included. Make as much as time allows.
Ages 8+
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UV Resin: April 7
Tuesday April 7, 6-8:00pm at Laurel Street Arts in San Carlos, CA.
Use silicone molds with UV resin and fun mix-ins to create your own jewelry. All tools and materials are included, and you can expect to leave with several finished pieces of jewelry.
Projects include pendants, earrings, key chains, rings, bracelets and hair clips.
Ages 10+
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Lost Wax Casting April 28
Try out Lost Wax Casting in this 2.5 hour class hosted by Laurel Street Arts in San Carlos.
Tuesday April 28, 6:00-8:30pm.
Tool and materials are all included, and no prior experience is needed. We will use wax to create models of jewelry or small objects, which will be duplicated in metal.
*Participants are responsible for the cost of their metal. Silver is currently $70/oz. Bronze and brass are very affordable options, as is Shibuishi, a Japanese 1:3 silver/copper alloy.
Ages 14+
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Pysanky Eggs April 2
Hosted on April 2, 5:30-7:30pm at Little Green a Plant Bar in downtown Redwood City.
Make beautiful dyed eggs to celebrate spring’s return. We will use beeswax as a resist to create intricate designs on egg shells.
All tools and materials are included in this 2 hour class.
Student Work
Student Work
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Class Descriptions
If you want to try out Lost Wax Casting, this is the workshop for you! In this 3 hour workshop, we will use wax to create pieces of jewelry using lost-wax casting. The finished wax model is encased in plaster and then melted away, leaving an empty space where the wax model was. Molten metal is poured into that space, creating an exact metal replica of the original wax model.
I will give a demo on how to use heat and sculpting tools to create a wax model before participants are set loose to create their pieces. I’ll be giving guidance along the way and answer questions to get each participant to their finished model.
Wax models will be weighed at the end of the workshop to estimate their finished weight, and can be cast in sterling silver or bronze. Casting will take 10-14 days.
$125 per person. Participants must also pay for the additional cost of their metal. Bronze and sterling silver are both available options. Most pieces will be less than $25. Bronze is also an available, economical option.
12 spots available per workshop. Adults and older teens.
Please be aware that the tools used are hot, and hot wax can burn.
Use silicon molds to pour resin into, create a variety of shapes for jewelry.
Mix in colors, mica powders, glitter, miniature objects and dried flowers.
Cure the resin under a UV light, and incorporate metal findings to create finished pieces of jewelry.
Make earrings, pendants, bracelets, key chains and more.
UV Resin Jewelry
Suitable for ages 8+
2 hr worksop; $60/person
Jewelry Making
2hr workshop: $60 per person
Make your own jewelry! Enjoy a full range of beads, jewelry components, charms, tools and materials. Natalie will be offering guidance and instruction over this two hour event.
Whether you are brand new to jewelry making or a seasoned crafter, there will be plenty of fun and color to enjoy.
Enjoy a curated collection of beads featuring natural materials, glass, metal, stone and vintage options.
Those with metal sensitivities and allergies, please be cautious.
Make as much as you like during the event hours.
Want it to be fancier? Upgrade your two hour workshop to
Premium Materials: $95 per person
Solid sterling silver and gold-filled findings, along with semi-precious gemstone beads in addition to the regular offerings detailed above.
French Beaded Flowers
French Beaded Flowers are created with just wire and seed beads. We’ll use bead spinners, along with wire, pliers and clippers to create a bouquet of flowers and foliage.
$50 per person. Adults and older teens.
We will start this workshop making a few flowers together to learn the basic techniques. Participants can either make the suggested flowers and leaves, or create their own designs.
Enameling on Metal
Teens and Adults
2.5 hr worksop; $85/person
Learn the basics of traditional vitreous enameling. Sift, paint and stencil powdered glass onto copper and fire it into a glassy, colorful surface in a kiln.
Create earrings, pendants, key chains and trinket bowls.
After a brief introduction and demonstration on the tools and materials, participants will have a chance to practice stamping on test metal scraps before jumping into designing their own project.
A variety of copper and aluminum blanks will be available. Key chain tags, plant signs, bracelets, earrings and pendants will all be available.
This class pairs well with Jewelry 101, offering the chance to learn basic jewelry making skills and transform their stamped pieces into finished jewelry.
Stamping on Metal
Stamping on Metal includes copper and aluminum blanks to pattern and texture with a variety of steel stamps and hammers.
Make earrings, pendants, tags, bracelets and more.
Suitable for ages 8+
2 hr worksop; $60/person
Jewelry Production Consultation
Brands seeking to develop a jewelry line will benefit from direct connections to jewelry industry professionals, as well as Natalie’s years of expertise making jewelry.
Digital design and 3D printing has opened accessibility to the jewelry world, but moving a prototype into a piece of production jewelry can be daunting. Navigating casting services requires thorough understand of how the process works, gemstone dealers can be somewhat elusive, and stone setters speak an entirely other language.
Salayi Designs has been connected with the jewelry industry for over 25 years, on both the East and West coasts. Natalie strongly favors working with independent Bay Area makers, and takes care to monitor the ethical transparency of stone and metal sourcing.
What to expect for your initial consultation:
Come in with your prototypes or designs. If you’re not quite to that point yet, we can work from your ideas to develop a starting point for your line.
Designs will be streamlined with production in mind. Hand-finishing adds substantial costs, so designing your line well from the start is vital for your profit margins.
If your line requires gemstones, we will discuss options, price points, and setting. Finishing processes like patina and plating are also available to add additional value to your line.
Email Natalie@salayidesigns.com to schedule an initial consultation and get your jewelry line made.
