2026 Camp Paradise Registration Form
If you have your own tools and supplies do bring them. It will speed up your work. (Make sure to mark your tools!) Your careful use of the instructor’s equipment will be greatly appreciated.
Beginning Silversmithing: This introductory course is taught by Natalie Ede. This approximate 20-hour course is designed for persons who are new to silversmithing or in need of skills refreshment. A maximum of six students will participate in each of two classes each week: Week one: Monday through Noon Wednesday, and 1:00 pm Wednesday to early afternoon Friday. Week 2: Wednesday 1pm to Friday 1pm. The course is intended to acquaint students with many of the tools (including gas torch), materials and techniques used by the silversmith in design and construction of a piece of silver jewelry and in doing so it will provide opportunity to produce a silver pendant with cabochon insert. The project is subject to change. All necessary tools and materials are provided. A syllabus containing description of tools, materials and techniques discussed in class is also provided. Students are requested to wear long pants (or apron) and closed shoes for safety reasons. A fee for expendable materials is charged. Natalie can be reached at 775-686-0774 or njdesignsnv.com.
Intermediate Silversmithing: Spencer got a promotion! This class is taught by Spencer Ennis and in it you will continue to build on what you learned in Basic Silversmithing. If you are new to silversmithing or uncertain of your skills then this is the class for you. Spencer will have some tools but bring your own if you have them and bring what metal you want to use. There is a materials fee. Spencer’s contact info is 425-213-6752.
Advanced Silversmithing: This instructor is Jill Atkins. In this class you will expand your knowledge of working with silver. This is a hands on individualized class in which you can learn rings, earrings, bracelets, chains, hinges, box clasps, dapping, tube setting and other jewelry techniques. She will have most tooling but you will need to bring your personal tools (i.e. files, saw, flexible shaft) metals and stones. She will have a limited amount of metal to purchase. Prerequisite: Basic silversmithing within the last 3 years. Lab fee $5 for consumables
*You May contact the instructor, Jill Atkins at atkinsdesign@gmail.com for any questions.* Or phone number 775-232-6626. If you have a special project contact her weeks before, not days before, and she will help you choose the supplies you may need. Bring an Optivisor!
Intarsia: In the intarsia class, taught by Ann Marie McCann, you will learn how to cut, assemble, glue and finish stones that fit together that can be used on its own or in a piece of jewelry. You may want to bring small one inch pieces of stone with the same approximate hardness. Materials fee $10. Prerequisite: Prior basic lapidary class. Please bring an apron if you are attending Ann Marie’s class…it will be useful for other classes as well. Bring an Optivisor. Ann Marie’s contact info is 949-292-8167.
Basic Lapidary: This class is taught by Janet Steigerwald. In this class you will learn to cut and polish 2 stones. There are a limited number of cabochon grinding units (Genies). Comparable units may be brought for your personal use. A limited quantity of assorted slabs will be available for cab making only. Janet is not selling slabs. There will be a reasonable charge for materials supplied by the instructor. If you have an “optivisor” or similar magnifying device bring it. There is no prerequisite for this class. Contact info is 209-604-3721
Advanced Lapidary: This is Peter Adam and I will be the hard stone carving instructor at Camp Paradise. I will have 5 Foredoms as Dremel’s do not have the power needed to carve hard stones. However, if you have your own equipment and plan to take my carving class, please bring your own Foredom, or similar carving equipment. Also bring a small plastic dish like what you get from a restaurant to take home food in. Bring a small old towel. You must bring ear protection (ear plugs won’t protect you from the noise), glasses (Optivisor) to protect your eyes and help magnify your work, and dust masks. If you have questions, contact me. I will bring a starter set of diamond carving bits, nova points, lots of slabs, some preforms, polishing sticks, and polishing paste. I will not allow students to carve stones that are toxic! The project that I have in mind is not very imaginative but students should have a finished carved and polished stone by the end of the week. Yes, I will teach carving and polishing. Those are two very different set of skills. Fortunately, as technology continues to improve, carving and polishing is easier to do. Kit fee approximately $25. My contact info is 650-515-0520.
Soft Stone Carving: This class is taught by Tammi Dejarnett. You will learn basic sculpting techniques in the soapstone carving class and then create your own stylized works using traditional hand tools. You will sculpture your piece using an assortment of hand tools, rasps, files and wet/dry sandpaper and finish your work by wet sanding and polishing. Soapstone and tools will be provided however, students can bring their own tools and soapstone if they wish. Tool kits will be available to purchase for $25. Student may want to bring a face mask, apron, and disposable gloves. There will be water involved in the last process of sanding and polishing your final piece. The class can accommodate six students at a time and will be under the gazebo under the trees and mostly shade outside. You’re free to come and go as you wish, just remember to sign up on the class roster.
Wire Wrap Class: In this class, taught by Glenn Fiala, you will learn how to wrap a cabochon with wire so that it may be worn as a pendant or even a bracelet. Depending on the number of students being taught at any one time, the course can vary from beginners to advanced. He will provide the copper wire, and tools for you to use that is necessary to wrap your cabochons. For those odd, larger sized pieces, or very small pieces, he will help you consider your piece and talk about what you want to do. He will have a few cabochons that you may purchase from him for $5 ea. He will have several reference books that can be referenced for various ideas, and even include beads (you must supply) if you desire. The only prerequisite for the wire wrap class is to have an idea how you want your cabochon to be presented when worn as a piece of elegant jewelry. Glenn Fiala can be reached at 916-878-1504 if you have any questions.
Wax Casting: Ariel and Clara are the instructors in this class. The two of them are quite the team. They will teach you how to cast a wax model into a metal form and will begin by exploring centrifugal casting of lost wax models and natural materials and metal. If time permits they will show you how to make molds and wax patterns from molds. There will be a selection of waxes for sale. Due to the number of people casting and the kiln size , you will be limited to small items such as rings, earrings , charms and pendants. They may have a small amount of sterling metal available for casting or you may bring your own. There is a charge for materials. Wax modeling and finish tools will be available or you may bring your own. This is a 4 day class. Optivisors will be helpful.
Enameling: Pam DiFilippo will teach enameling to beginning and less advanced enamelers. She will explore three styles. The sifted powder method which includes preparing the blank copper, adding color, blending, sgraffito, stencil, and adding mille fleurie, stringers, and inlay with copper. The painting with fire method which is used to make flowers or beads and Cloisonné which will be done on copper using the same torch. Round copper blanks, rectangular copper strips, and copper beads will be available for projects. There may be a few other shapes available, but if you would like to do something specific, please bring your own copper blanks with you. Other useful tools for all participants include tweezers, a small spatula, and a mask. Limit 4 participants at a time. There is a $10 materials fee. For more information you may contact Pam at 530-417-1756 or pam2space@gmail.com.
Beading: In this class taught by Dena Hight, you will learn to use a needle and beading thread to make fabulous beaded objects and jewelry. Dena will take you from novice to experienced in a short period of time or from an experienced beader to new “Hights”. She is an experienced teacher and an all around good person and she has a very enjoyable class. There is a material fee. Contact for Dena is bdckts@yahoo.com.
Chain Maille: This is a beginning chain maille class taught by Teri Beck. You will learn how to make chains by linking jump rings together with a choice of several different styles and patterns. A starter kit with cut jump rings and instructions will be available for a five-dollar fee. You will end up making a beautiful, finished bracelet in copper or silver colored Parawire. Sterling silver will be available for an additional fee. If you have an Optivisor please bring it. Also if you have round nose and chain nose pliers, please bring them. I will have some pliers available to use. This class is just the beginning, it is easy to get hooked on chain making! Contact for Teri is 1(831) 679-2896.
Cold Connections” Taught by Janet Longueira. Cold Connections is a method of bringing and attaching pieces together without heat. This class will focus on bringing stones and metals together with rivets. Please bring your own finished and/or tumbled stones of different sizes, which preferably will NOT be cabochons but about the size of a 30×40 or smaller. They will need to have a fairly flat back (some tumbled stones will be available). Kit cost will be $20. Please bring your own tools if you have them as tools there will be limited; bezel shears, metal hole punch for the rivets, roundnose and chainnose pliers, hand files, nylon or rawhide mallet, riveting hammer, and a bench block. You will also need a ruler, lightweight cardboard (like a cereal box), pen or pencil and a fine sharpie. This class is fun and creative! Contact for Janet is 1(530)308-8805.
Ming Trees/Gem Trees: This class will be taught by Priscilla Bilyeu. You will learn a variety of construction methods to form a beautiful gem tree. Wire, bases, and materials for students to create the tree of their choice will be provided. Tree of Life pendants and gem tree magnets will also be offered for those who want a quick project. This course is a great one to take back for a juniors program or a jewelry arts class.