Description
Bangles + Charms
An ARIMAS Metal Lab workshop
Create a sculptural bangle with charm details in this beginner friendly ARIMAS Metal Lab workshop.
In this hands on adult jewelry class, students will shape, hammer, texture, finish, and personalize metal into a wearable piece made by hand. We’ll begin with a short visual introduction to sculptural jewelry and modern adornment, looking at how artists use line, movement, negative space, and the body to turn simple metal forms into wearable art.
This workshop is perfect for curious beginners, creative adults, friends, date nights, and anyone who wants to make something personal, stylish, and wearable in a small studio setting.
No jewelry experience is needed.
What You’ll Make
Each participant will create:
1 sculptural brass or copper bangle with charm details
Your bangle may include hammered texture, curved linework, stamped metal tags, bead or stone accents, chain details, jump rings, or small symbolic charm elements.
Some students may have time to complete an additional slim stacking bangle, but the main class project is one finished sculptural bangle with personalized charm details.
This class focuses on cold connections only, meaning no soldering, torches, or open flame will be used.
What You’ll Learn
Students will be introduced to beginner jewelry-making techniques including:
- Measuring and shaping a bangle
- Forming metal using mandrels and hand tools
- Hammering and texturing metal
- Filing and smoothing edges
- Creating simple charm accents
- Attaching elements with jump rings, wrapped loops, and other cold connections
- Hand-finishing and polishing your piece
What’s Included
All basic tools and materials are included.
Materials may include brass, copper, base-metal wire, charm blanks, beads, stones, chain, jump rings, and finishing supplies.
Class Details
Location: ARIMAS Studio at VIA, Center City Philadelphia
Age: Adults 18+
Length: 3 hours
Class size: Limited to 5 students
Experience level: Beginner friendly
Materials: Copper/brass included
Price: $100 founding class price
This is an in-person workshop. Nothing will be shipped.
Good to Know
Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Long hair should be tied back. This class involves light hammering, hand tools, and basic studio safety.
Because this is a small class with limited seats, please review the workshop and studio policies before registering.
Read Class/Workshop Policies
Read Studio Policies
Read more about the instructor
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Brass pieces are easy to maintain and simply require a quick shine for a polished aesthetic.
Copper develops a natural patina over time. Many copper jewelry shown are created with a patina for aesthetic.
Sterling silver designs are made to last a lifetime with proper care. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent of fine silver and 7.5 percent of other metals such as copper or silver nickel. Theses additional materials can cause sterling silver to slightly tarnish over time and for this reason pieces may need additional care with jewelry cleaning clothes. It is also recommended to avoid exposing sterling silver to chemicals such as bleach and ammonia to prevent damage.
Fine silver is made to last a lifetime with proper care. The material contains 99.9 percent pure silver and does not tarnish like other metals. Oils from the skin may temporarily mask the shine of the material but can easily be restored with jewelry cleaning clothes. It is recommended to avoid exposing fine silver to chemicals such as bleach and ammonia to prevent damage.
Gold plated material is used for a number of chains in the shop to accompany brass necklace designs. Gold plated material contains brass metal plated with a layer of 14k gold. Chains may loose a bit of shine over time and are best stored in a sealed plastic bag with silica gel packets to delay the patina.
Gold filled is made to last a lifetime with proper care. 14k and 12k Gold-filled materials contain a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal such as sterling silver. Gold filled jewelry does not tarnish as easily as gold plated and is the preferred choice for high quality lasting pieces. Oils from the skin may temporarily mask the shine of the material but can easily be restored with jewelry cleaning clothes.
If you choose to wear your jewelry less frequently please be sure to store your pieces in a sealed plastic bag with silica gel packets to prevent exposure to moisture for long periods of time.
You can shine your pieces with jewelry cleaning cloths, which are included with your package per request. Additional cleaning products are sold online or at local jewelry stores.
