TUSCARORA LAPIDARY SOCIETY, INC.
We teach the journey from rocks to gems to jewelry.
Class Schedule
Spring Classes Begin April 4, 2024
TLS Education Center, 24 Upland Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015
Click HERE for directions and a map.
• Those registering must be at least 18 years of age. Students between the ages of 12 and 18 can take classes by becoming junior members of TLS. To inquire about that possibility, send us a message on our Contact Form.
• Browse through the offerings below and make a note of the ones for which you wish to register. Then click this REGISTER button which will take you to a page on which you can enter your choices.
• Be aware of our new class refund policy. Please see the bottom of the page for more information.
**CAUTION**
After payment, you must allow the system to return you to our site to complete registration. Otherwise, you will have paid but will not be registered.
Weekday Classes
The Courses for Monday
(S24AC4-8) Advanced Cabochons: (10 weeks beginning April 8) 7:30-9:30PM.
Members only. Limit 7.
Instructor: Stacey Segal.
Tuition: M$70.
Supply List
The Courses for Tuesday
(S24FT4-9) Faceting: (10 weeks beginning April 9) 7:00-9:30PM. Limit 6.
Cut clear gemstones with many flat planes (facets).
Instructors: Steve Hansen and Karl Kobie.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70.
Supply List
The Courses for Wednesday
(S24IS4-10) Intermediate Silver: (8 weeks beginning April 10) 9:30AM-12:30PM. Limit 8.
Learn fundamental silversmithing techniques and complete one or more projects, which could be a pendant, ring, or bracelet.
Instructor: Barry Messino.
Tuition: NM$144/M$72. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40, depending on projects chosen.
Supply List
(S24BS4-10) Beginning Silver: (8 weeks beginning January 10) 1-4PM. Limit 8.
Learn basic silversmithing techniques and complete one or more projects, which could be a pendant, ring, or bracelet.
Instructor: Barry Messino.
Tuition: NM$144/M$72.
Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40, depending on projects chosen.
Supply List
The Courses for Thursday
(S24BC4-4) Beginning/Intermediate Cabochons: (6 weeks beginning April 4) 9AM-Noon. Limit 7.
Learn how to cut and polish rounded gemstone shapes. Open to new students and those honing their skills in cutting and polishing cabochons. Non-members have priority. Members must send registration requests and checks to the Registrar and, if possible, will be enrolled one week before the class is to begin in the order registrations are received.
Instructors: John Chickadel and Alejandro Lopez.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70.
Supply List
(S24AC4-4) Advanced Cabochons: (6 weeks beginning April 4) 1-4PM. Limit 7.
Members only.
Instructor: John Chickadel.
Tuition: $70.
Supply List
(S24BC4-4E) Beginning/Intermediate Cabochons: (10 weeks beginning April 4) 7:30-9:30PM. Limit 7.
Learn to cut and polish rounded gemstones called ‘cabochons’. Open to new students and those honing their skills in cutting and polishing stones. Non-members have priority. Members must send registration requests and checks to the Registrar and, if possible, will be enrolled one week before the class is to begin in the order registrations are received.
Instructors: Christina Groff and Vincent DiAngelus.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70.
Supply List
(S24BS4-4) Beginning Silver: (10 weeks beginning April 4) 7:00-9:30PM. Limit 8.
Learn basic silversmithing techniques and complete one or more projects, which could be a pendant, ring, or bracelet.
Instructor: Barry Messino.
Tuition: NM$144/M$72.
Supply List
The Courses for Friday
(S24BS4-5) Metals Shop – Know Your Hand Tools: (One-day workshop, Friday, April 5) 10:00AM-5:00PM. Limit 8.
New/Beginner. In this one-day workshop, you will learn the basic processes and tools used in metalsmithing. We will learn about and practice using the basic 12 jewelry-making hand-tools essential for most fabrication processes. Please do not bring any tools to class. The fee includes a rental toolbox and practice materials. We will also review the safe use of classroom tools like the disc cutter and other equipment.
Instructor: Helen Driggs.
Tuition: NM$60/M$35. Materials and supplies fee (payable to the instructor), $45
Weekend Workshops
(S24FT4-6) Beginner Faceting Weekend Workshop: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, April 6 & 7) 9AM-5PM. Limit 7. For new students.
Facet a transparent glass gemstone in the TLS #1 pattern.
Instructors: Steve Hansen and Ingrid Ratsep.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70|
Supply List
(S24MM4-13) Marble Making: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, April 13 & 14) 9AM-4PM. Limit 6. Beginner/Intermediate level.
For beginners and those with some marble-making experience. Learn to make perfect spheres at the torch out of clear and colored borosilicate glass.
Instructors: Tami O’Connell and Lisa Laffend.
Tuition: NM$170/M$110(includes $50 fee for supplies and materials). A leather apron is required.
Supply List
(S24AS4-27) Textured Pendant with Reverse-set Faceted Stone: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, April 27 & 28) 10AM-5PM. Minimum 7, Maximum 10.
Competent knowledge of soldering required. Learn how to make a pendant with a “cleaner” look. Students will use rolled texture and gallery wire as design elements. We will create a reverse-setting for the gemstone that does not include visible prongs. The stone is set from behind, allowing more focus to be directed to the piece’s surface detail.
Guest Instructor: Marthe Roberts-Shea.
Tuition: NM$245/M$185.
Supply List
(S24VA4-28) Intro to Gemstone Carving – Zoom (In studio): (Three-hour workshop, Sunday, April 28) 6-9PM.
Minimum 4, Maximum 10.
In this class, you will learn how to pick a great stone, the tools and materials you will need, and how to maximize the beauty of the stone using simple tools available in most workshops right now. Come to the TLS Ed Center for a fun class of exploration, design, discovery, and a heaping of water-logged shenanigans, and go away with a stunning stone that is truly, perfectly yours!
Guest Instructor: Storm Rise.
Tuition: NM$145/M$125 (Note: Tuition includes carving materials and carving bits kit).
Supply List
(S24VA4-28R) Intro to Gemstone Carving – Zoom (Remote): (Three-hour workshop, Sunday, April 28) 6-9PM. Maximum 12.
In this class, you will learn how to pick a great stone, the tools and materials you will need, and how to maximize the beauty of the stone using simple tools available in most workshops right now. Join by Zoom from your own studio for a fun class.
Guest Instructor: Storm Rise. Tuition: NM$125/M$115 (Note: Tuition includes carving materials and carving bits kit).
Supply List
(S24EL5-4) Enamel Painting Workshop: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5) 10AM-5PM. Limit 8. Minimum 6, maximum 8. Interested in learning an enameling technique that dates all the way back to the 16th century? In this class, you will learn about the antiquated painting technique, sometimes referred to as Limoges or painting with oxides, which was first seen in France in the middle of the 16th century. Essentially, they all describe the method of using finely ground metal and ceramic oxide powders and mixing them with an oil based medium to create a paint that can be used on an enameled surface. You will be working with Thompson ceramic oxides and Sunshine painting oxides. You will learn how to prep your copper sheet with a hard-fired white or cream enamel base, so that you have a clean canvas to paint on. From there, we will go over painting and firing of your designs. Often, we will fire these multiple times to achieve a beautiful painted enamel piece. No previous experience is necessary.
Guest Instructor: Joan Strott-Alvini (http://www.glassongold.com).
Tuition: NM$240/M$180. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) is $45.
Supply List
(S24OP4-21/S24OP6-2/S24OP6-30) Sunday Opal Cutting Workshop: (Three One-day workshops, Sunday, April 21, Sunday June 2, Sunday, June 30) 10AM-5PM. Limit 6.
Prerequisite: One TLS Gateway (Beginning) Cabochon course.
Opal cutting for current or prospective opal addicts.
Facilitators: Steve Hansen and Anna Thompson.
Tuition: NM$60/M$35 per day. Materials fee, payable to the instructor, tbd depending on materials used.
Supply List
(S24JP5-19) Jewelry Photography: (Sunday, May 19) 1-5pm. Limit 10.
Learn how to improve your jewelry photography and editing skills. This workshop will take a hands-on, common-sense approach to lighting and photographing jewelry in various settings, focusing on simplicity and problem solving. Various editing apps and editing options will be discussed. Bring your phone, point-and-shoot, or SLR along with your best jewelry for a fun afternoon of shooting. There is always a way to get a great photo of your jewelry and you do not have to be a professional to figure it out.
Instructors: Mara Wolff and Vincent DiAngelus.
Tuition: NM$40/M$20.
(S24BG6-1) Gem ID: (Saturday June 1) 10AM-3PM. Limit 8. Beginner/Intermediate Level.
In this workshop, students will be given a brief introduction to geologic processes that form our favorite faceted gemstones, followed by a discussion of mineral physical and optical properties that help us identify gemstones, and finally we will have a hands-on session using the most common diagnostic instruments to try to solve the mystery of the unknown gem. Students are encouraged to bring a faceted stone of their choice to identify.
Instructor: John Chickadel.
Tuition: NM$60/M$35
(S24AS6-8) Introduction to Chasing and Repousse Weekend Workshop: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9) 10AM-4PM. Limit 4.
This workshop will introduce concepts, tools, and methods of chasing and repousse (C&R). Consider a flat piece of metal: chasing yields a design on its side to be viewed, while repousse pushes out the material from the back to create visual depth in the finished piece. All working of the piece is done using steel punches and a hammer to move the metal to create the finished piece. Students will complete two pieces in the class using 2”x2” metal pieces – one with copper and one with sterling silver. A pitch bowl and set of basic C&R tools will be provided.
Instructor: Ken Dahl.
Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) approximately $20.
Supply List
(S24AS6-15) Introduction to the Hydraulic Press: (Saturday, June 15) 12-3pm. Limit 4.
In this workshop, students will learn the basic operations of the electric hydraulic press. Techniques taught in this class will include how to use a pancake die, a silhouette die, and an impression die. Students who complete the class will end the day with components that can be used as elements in their jewelry designs. A materials kit will be provided.
Instructor: Stacey Segal.
Tuition: NM$40/M$20. Material fee (payable to the instructor) of $15.
(S24FT6-22) Faceting Weekend Workshop: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23) 9AM-5PM. Limit 6.
Facet a transparent glass gemstone in the TLS #1 pattern.
Instructors: Steve Hansen and Karl Kobie.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70.
Supply List
The Open Shop Sessions
Open Cabbing: 10AM-4PM. Limit: 7.
Prerequisite: One TLS beginning cabbing class.
Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day.
Supply List
Saturdays:
Supervisor: Stacey Segal
(S24OC4-20) April 20
(S24OC5-11) May 11
(S24OC6-29) June 29
Mondays:
Supervisor: Ken Dahl or Christy Potter
(S24OC4-8) April 8
(S24OC5-13) May 13
(S24OC6-10) June 10
Thursdays:
Supervisor: John Chickadel
(S24OC5-16) May 16
(S24OC5-23) May 23
(S24OC5-30) May 30
(S24OC6-6) June 6
(S24OC6-13) June 13
(S24OC6-20) June 20
Open Slab Saw: 10AM-4PM. Members Only.
Prerequisite: Must be certified for slab saw use.
May be taken concurrently with open cabbing.
Fee: $10 per hour. Indicate date and preference for AM or PM. The Registrar will schedule actual times.
Saturdays:
Supervisor: Stacey Segal
(S24OS4-20) April 20
(S24OS5-11) May 11
(S24OS6-29) June 29
Mondays:
Supervisor: Ken Dahl or Christy Potter
(S24OS4-8) April 8
(S24OS5-13) May 13
(S24OS6-10) June 10
Thursdays:
Supervisor: John Chickadel
(S24OS5-16) May 16
(S24OS5-23) May 23
(S24OS5-30) May 30
(S24OS6-6) June 6
(S24OS6-13) June 13
(S24OS6-20) June 20
Open Metalsmithing/Soldering: 10AM-4PM. Limit 10.
Prerequisite: One TLS silver class or equivalent (approved by Supervisor).
Supervisors: Stacey Segal
Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day.
Saturdays:
(S24OM4-6) April 6
(S24OM5-18) May 18
(S24OM6-1) June 1
Open Metals/Enameling/Metal Clay: 10AM-4PM. Limit 10.
Prerequisite: One TLS class in Enameling, Metal clay, or Metalsmithing or equivalent (approved by Supervisor).
Supervisor: Sheryl Dahl.
Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day.
Mondays:
(S24OM5-13) May 13
(S24OM6-10) June 10
Open Torch (Bead/Marble/Flower): 9AM-5PM. Limit 10.
Prerequisite: One TLS glass bead-making class.
Coordinator: Frank Warner.
Fee: NM$44/M$36 per day.
Saturday:
(S24OT4-20) April 20
(S24OT6-29) June 29
Sunday:
(S24OT4-21) April 21
(S24OT6-30) June 30
NOTES
1. Those registering must be at least 18 years of age. Students between the ages of 12 and 18 can take classes by becoming junior members of TLS. To inquire about that possibility, send us a message on our Contact Form.
2. Students: TLS offers classes to adults interested in pursuing lapidary and jewelry arts. No previous experience is needed unless a prerequisite is noted.
3. Membership: Membership requires completion of Beginning Cabochon or Faceting classes, participation in two TLS monthly meetings and willingness to participate as a volunteer in TLS activities. Non-members have priority in beginning cabochon classes.
4. Wait Lists: If you choose to register online for a class, workshop, or open shop session that is listed as full (italic type with a gray background), you will not be charged, but will be put on a wait list. Our Registrar will manage wait lists, and will contact you directly if an opening for you occurs.
5. Pricing: Tuition for classes is listed for members (M) and non-members (NM). In some courses and workshops there is an additional charge for supplies and equipment.
6. Members registering online must use their email address from the current TLS membership directory.
7. NEW Refund Policy: Some classes and many open shop sessions fill up rapidly and have extensive wait lists. If you must drop out of a class or open shop session, please do so as early as possible so others may be given the opportunity to enroll. Your courtesy in doing so will be appreciated. Also, if you believe you are ill, or becoming ill, we respectfully ask that you decline to attend. If you wish to withdraw from a class, workshop, or open shop session, you must notify the Registrar and instructor by email. When refunds are requested, we retain 10% of tuition as a processing fee. Tuition will be refunded 100% (minus the processing fee) if you withdraw before 7 days prior to the start date of the course, workshop, or open shop session. If you withdraw 7 to 3 days prior to the start date, tuition will be refunded 80% (minus the processing fee). There will be no refunds for withdrawals within 2 days of the start of the class, workshop, or open shop session. In the event of emergencies or other extenuating circumstances, TLS will consider making exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. If such an event or circumstance occurs, please email the registrar with your inquiry and it will be reviewed as soon as possible.
8. Registrations close one week in advance of any open shop session, workshop, or beginning of a class. Questions about the possibility of last-minute registrations should be directed to our Registrar (email).
9. Brief descriptions for many of our courses may be found on our Course Descriptions page.
10. To register by US Mail, click HERE for a registration form. Full tuition must accompany the registration form in order to reserve a spot in the class.
11. If you do not receive a confirmation email after registering online, contact our Registrar (email) for confirmation. It is likely we received your registration, but there may have been a problem in the email to you.
12. Classes are removed from the Registration page after the registration deadline, approximately one week before the event. Questions about the possibility of last-minute registrations should be directed to our Registrar (email).
13. For more information, or if you have trouble with registration, or if you need to cancel a class for which you have already registered, please contact our Registrar (email).
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Delaware County Arts Consortium
Contact us
24 Upland Road
Brookhaven, PA 19015
610-490-5252
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