TUSCARORA LAPIDARY SOCIETY, INC.
We teach the journey from rocks to gems to jewelry.
Class Schedule
Winter Classes Begin January 5, 2023
TLS Education Center, 24 Upland Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015
Click HERE for directions and a map.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 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, Bill Frampton (email, 443-553-5805).
Brief descriptions for many of our courses may be found on our Course Descriptions page.
COVID-19 Precautions
The health and well-being of all members and students of the TLS community continue to be our top priority. Due to CDC recommendations and the current status of the pandemic in counties surrounding our Education Center, masks are no longer required in our facility, but they remain recommended, especially for those individuals at high risk.
Students
TLS offers classes to adults interested in pursuing lapidary and jewelry arts. No previous experience is needed unless a prerequisite is noted.
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.
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.
Refund Policy
If you wish to withdraw from a class, workshop, or open shop session, you must notify the Registrar by phone or email. Payment will be refunded 100% if you withdraw before the course, workshop, or open shop session begins. For multi-day courses (not workshops nor open shop sessions), payment will be refunded 80% if you withdraw before the second class. No refunds are given after the second meeting of a multi-day course. No refunds are given after the first day of a multi-day workshop. No refunds are given for missed open shop sessions (Exception: Members may receive a 50% refund, if requested, after missing an open slab-saw session.)
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
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.
There are two ways to register, online and by US mail.
Online
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:
***CAUTION***
After payment, you should automatically be returned to our site where you must complete registration. Otherwise you will have paid, but will not be registered. Be sure to read all of the Registration Notes below before registering, especially #7.
By US Mail
Click HERE for a registration form that you can print, fill out, and mail with your check to our Registrar.
Registration Notes
1. If you are registering by check, full tuition must accompany the registration form in order to reserve a spot in the class.
2. 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, Bill Frampton, will manage wait lists, and will contact you directly if an opening for you occurs.
3. Students are enrolled in the order that online registrations, or checks and forms, are received.
4. In order to give non-members priority for Beginning Cabochon classes, TLS members who wish to register for a Beginning Cabochon class must register for that class by sending in the paper form with a check. The Registrar will add members to available openings after the registration deadline.
5. Members registering online must use their email address from the current TLS membership directory.
6. A tour of how our online registration system works is available by clicking TOUR.
7. IMPORTANT ONLINE REGISTRATION STEP:
TLS Members: After the online payment is completed, you are returned to a page where you simply need to click the Proceed button once to complete registration. You will receive a confirmation email concerning your registration. We already have your data on file.
Non-members: After the online payment is completed you are returned to a page on which you must submit name, address, city, state, zip, phone, and email in order to complete registration. Please fill in the requested data and just click the Proceed button once. You will receive a confirmation email concerning your registration. Should you need to correct the personal information you entered, or if there is any other problem, please contact our Registrar, Bill Frampton (email, 443-553-5805).
8. If you do not receive a confirmation email after registering online, contact our Registrar, Bill Frampton (email, 443-553-5805) for confirmation. It is likely we received your registration, but there may have been a problem in the email to you.
9. 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, Bill Frampton (email, 443-553-5805).
10. 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, Bill Frampton (email, 443-553-5805).
Weekday and Evening Classes
The Courses for Monday
(W23AC1-9) Advanced Cabochons: (10 weeks beginning January 9) 7:30-9:30PM. Members only. Limit 5. Instructor: Stacey Segal. Tuition: M$70. Tool and Supply List
The Courses for Wednesday
(W23BS1-11) Beginning Silver – I: (6 weeks beginning January 11) 9AM-Noon. 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$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40, depending on projects chosen. Tool and Supply List.
(W23BS2-22) Beginning Silver – II: (6 weeks beginning February 22) 9AM-Noon. Limit 8. Continue learning basic silversmithing techniques and complete one or more projects, which could be a pendant, ring, or bracelet. Instructor: Barry Messino. Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40, depending on projects chosen. Tool and Supply List.
(W23IS1-11) Intermediate Silver: (10 weeks beginning January 11) 1PM-4PM. 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$180/M$90. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40, depending on projects chosen. Tool and Supply List.
The Courses for Thursday
(W23BC1-5) Beginning/Intermediate Cabochons: (6 weeks beginning January 5) 9AM-Noon. Limit 6. Learn how to cut and polish rounded gemstone shapes. Open to new students and those honing their skills in cutting and polishing cabochons. Instructors: John Chickadel and Bill Frampton. Tuition: NM$130/M$70. Tool and Supply List.
(W23AC1-5) Advanced Cabochons: (6 weeks beginning January 5) 1-4PM. Limit 6. Members only. Instructors: John Chickadel and Bill Frampton. Tuition: $70. Tool and Supply List.
(W23BC1-5E) Beginning/Intermediate Cabochons: (10 weeks beginning January 5) 7:30-9:30PM. Limit 6. Learn to cut and polish rounded gemstones called ‘cabochons’. Open to new students and those honing their skills in cutting and polishing stones. Instructors: Gary Cummings and Joanne Morris. Tuition: NM$130/M$70. Tool and Supply List.
Weekend Workshops
(W23FT1-7) Beginner Faceting Weekend Workshop: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, January 7 & 8) 9AM-5PM. Limit 4. New students only. Facet a transparent glass gemstone in the TLS #1 pattern. Instructors: Steve Hansen and Ingrid Ratsep. Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Tool and Supply List.
(W23JP2-5) Jewelry Photography: (Sunday, February 5) 9AM-Noon. Limit 10. Learn how to improve your jewelry photography and editing skills. This workshop will take a hands-on, common sense approach to lighting, 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 morning 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. Instructor: Mara Wolff. Tuition: NM$40/M$20. No tool and supply list.
(W23GF2-11) Beyond Beginner Glass Fusing – Three Techniques: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, February 11 & 12) 10AM-4PM. Limit 6. Take your fusing skills to the next level! Learn the ins and outs of the Freeze and Fuse process to make objects for use in your fused projects. Learn to use stencils with powders and learn to use a glue pad with stamps to add to your fused glass designs. Instructors: Lynn Bibolet and Jody Shaw. Tuition: NM$150/M$90. Tool and Supply List.
(W23MC2-25) Vulcanizing Rubber Molds and Injection Wax: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, February 25 & 26) 9AM-4PM. Limit 8. Beginner/Intermediate level. If you want to preserve a special piece of jewelry, you can easily make a duplicate. Creating a rubber mold is a great way to make multiple copies. Using simple supplies and following basic instructions, you can be a rubber mold-making expert in no time. Then you can inject hot wax into a mold and remove a perfect wax replica, ready to cast into metal. This class will focus on vulcanizing rubber molds and injecting wax under pressure in the molds to create a disposable wax model for casting. Instructors: Dennis Coren, Don Schwarzkopf, and John Chickadel. Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $70 (includes rubber, wax, and supplies). Tool and Supply List.
(W23MC3-11) Jewelry Investment and Casting: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, March 11 & 12) 9AM-4PM. Limit 8. Beginner/Intermediate level. This class will focus on vacuum investment and vacuum casting using the “Lost Wax” technique. Instructors: Dennis Coren and John Chickadel. Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40 (includes metal, wax, casting investment, and supplies). Tool and Supply List.
(W23IS3-18) Stone Setting – Square, Tube-set Settings: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, March 18 & 19) 9AM-4PM. Minimum 7, Maximum 10. Skill level: Intermediate. If setting square stones is a challenge this workshop is for you. Create something truly different from the standard round or oval settings. You will learn a new process for making square, tube-set bezels. These settings are designed to hold your stones without having to pierce the corners of the metal. We will construct settings for individual stack rings. Expect to make 2-3 rings in the workshop. Guest Instructor: Marthe Roberts/Shea. Tuition: NM$245/M$185. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) approximately $75. Tool and Supply List.
(W23BB3-25) Glass Bead Making: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, March 25 & 26) 9AM-5PM. Limit 6. For beginners and those with some bead-making experience. Students will use a torch to make beads out of glass. This course satisfies the prerequisite for TLS Open Torch sessions. Instructors: Lisa Laffend and Terry Fain. Tuition: NM$160/M$100. Tool and Supply List.
(W23FT3-25) Gem Faceting Weekend Workshop: (Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, March 25 & 26) 9AM-5PM. Limit 4. Open to new and experienced students. Facet a transparent glass gemstone in a pattern to be determined. Instructors: Steve Hansen and Christina Griffin. Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Tool and Supply List.
KIEU PHAM GRAY Workshops (In-Person or remote Options)
Note: In-person workshops at the TLS Education Center. Remote versions include a Zoom link to attend the broadcast and 30 day access to the workshop video recording. Sign up for the entire workshop or any of the seven short sessions. Multiple kits will be available to students who want to make multiple individual components rather than the entire bracelet.
For remote options, please register by Jan 1 for timely delivery of the kits.
(W23KA1-6) Out of the Box: 7 Session Intensive Workshop: (Seven session workshop, Friday through Sunday, January 6-8). The times depend on the day/session. Limit 10. This intensive class is designed for the Intermediate artist who wants to push the limits of their fabrication abilities while creating 6 components to use as a bracelet or broken up into limitless possibilities. See descriptions below for details of each day. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$660/M$585. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $185. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KA1-6R) Out of the Box: 7 Session Intensive Workshop – Remote: (Seven session workshop, Friday through Sunday, January 6-8). The times depend on the day/session. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$665/M$590. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($185) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KB1-6) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Gold Spiral: (3 hr workshop, Friday, January 6) 9AM-Noon. Max 10. Skill level: Beginner. Learn to create hot rivets to set gold-filled beads within a spiral of silver. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$119/M$99. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $25. Tool and Supply List
(W23KB1-6R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Gold Spiral – Remote: (3 hr. workshop, Friday, January 6) 9AM-Noon. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$124/M$104. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($25) and postage: (3 hr workshop, Friday, January 6 9AM-Noon. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$124/M$104. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($25) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KC1-6) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Pearl Setting: (3 hr workshop, Friday, January 6) 1PM-4PM. Max 10. Skill level: Beginner. Learn to make pins for setting pearls in this unique piece. We will roll our silver to create interest then add a heavy wall of silver. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$122/M$102. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $28. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KC1-6R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Pearl Setting – Remote: (3 hr workshop, Friday, January 6) 1PM-4PM. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$127/M$107. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($28) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KD1-7) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – The Rock: (4 hr workshop, Saturday, January 7) 8AM-Noon. Max 10. Skill level: Intermediate. Learn to create an elevated shadow box to enclose an aquamarine nugget that will be set with prongs. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$166/M$146. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $54. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KD1-7R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – The Rock – Remote: (One-day workshop, Saturday, January 7) 8AM-Noon. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$171/M$151. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($54) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KE1-7) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Cross Over: (3 hr workshop, Saturday, January 7) 1PM-4PM. Max 10. Skill level: Intermediate. In this class, you will learn now to cut sterling silver to create a seamless connection. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$121/M$101. Note: Tuition includes materials fee of $27. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KE1-7R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Cross Over – Remote: (3 hr workshop, Saturday, January 7) 1PM-4PM. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$126/M$106. Note: Tuition includes materials fee ($27) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KF1-7) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Droplets: (3 hr workshop, Saturday, January 7) 6PM-9PM. Max 10. Skill level: Beginner. In this class we will create a cluster of water castings that will be gilded with gold leaf using the Keum Boo technique. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$124/M$104. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $30. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KF1-7R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Droplets – Remote: (3 hr workshop, Saturday, January 7) 6PM-9PM. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$129/M$109. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($30) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KG1-8) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Clasp On: (4 hr workshop, Sunday, January 8) 9AM-1PM. Max 10. Skill level: Intermediate. Learn to make a hollow form to be used to finish this fun bracelet. We will also set a stone on top to add color. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$149/M$129. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $37. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KG1-8R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Clasp On – Remote: (4 hr workshop, Sunday, January 8) 9AM-1PM. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$154/M$134. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($37) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KH1-8) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Connections: (3 hr workshop, Sunday, January 8) 2PM-5PM. Max 10. Skill level: Beginner. Using sterling silver strip, we will connect all of the pieces together to create a bracelet. Then we will take our time with some finishing work. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$106/M$86. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee of $12. Tool and Supply List.
(W23KH1-8R) Out of the Box: Constructing Creative Components – Connections – Remote: (3 hr workshop, Sunday, January 8) 2PM-5PM. Guest Instructor: Kieu Pham Gray. Tuition: NM$111/M$91. Note: Tuition includes materials kit fee ($12) and postage. Tool and Supply List.
The Open Shop Sessions
Open Cabbing: 10AM-4PM. Limit: 5. Prerequisite: One TLS beginning cabbing class. Supervisor: Stacey Segal (Saturdays) or John Chickadel (Thursdays). Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day. Tool and Supply List.
Saturdays:
(W23OC1-28) January 28
(W23OC2-18) February 18
(W23OC3-18) March 18
Thursdays:
(W23OC2-16) February 16
(W23OC2-23) February 23
(W23OC3-2) March 2
(W23OC3-9) March 9
(W23OC3-16) March 16
(W23OC3-23) March 23
Open Slab Saw: 10AM-4PM. Members Only. Prerequisite: Must be certified for slab saw use. May be taken concurrently with open cabbing. Supervisor: Stacey Segal (Saturdays) or John Chickadel (Thursdays). Fee: $10 per hour. Indicate date and preference for AM or PM. Actual times will be scheduled by the Registrar. No tool and supply list.
Saturdays:
(W23OS1-28) January 28
(W23OS2-18) February 18
(W23OS3-18) March 18
Thursdays:
(W23OS2-16) February 16
(W23OS2-23) February 23
(W23OS3-2) March 2
(W23OS3-9) March 9
(W23OS3-16) March 16
(W23OS3-23) March 23
Open Advanced Cabbing: 10AM-4PM. Limit: 5. Members only. Prerequisite: One TLS Advanced cabbing class. Supervisor: Christy Potter. Fee: M$27 per day. Tool and Supply List.
(W23OC1-9) January 9
(W23OC2-13) February 13
(W23OC3-13) March 13
Open Metalsmithing/Soldering: 10AM-4PM. Limit 10. Prerequisite: One TLS silver class or equivalent (as approved by Supervisor). Supervisors: Stacey Segal (Saturdays) or Mara Wolff (Sunday). Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day. No Tool and Supply List.
Saturdays:
(W23OM1-14) January 14
(W23OM2-4) February 4
Sunday:
(W23OM1-15) January 15
Open Torch: 9AM-5PM. Limit: 10. Prerequisite: One TLS glass bead-making class. Coordinator: Frank Warner. Fee: NM$44/M$36 per day. No tool and supply List.
Saturdays:
(W23OT1-21) January 21
(W23OT2-18) February 18 (Special topic demo 9-10am, Basic Marble by Frank Warner – to prepare students for Intermediate Marble workshop in spring term).
Sundays:
(W23OT1-22) January 22
(W23OT2-19) February 19
Open Fusing: 9AM-5PM. Limit 6. Prerequisite: One TLS glass fusing class. Supervisors: Lynn Bibolet. Fee: NM$64/M$56 per day. Note: Glass and frit supplies are included in the tuition. No tool and supply list.
Saturday:
(W23OF3-4) March 4
Sunday:
(W23OF3-5) March 5
Open Vulcanizing: 10AM-4PM. Minimum 2, Maximum 4. Prerequisite: One TLS Vulcanizing class. Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) $10-$35 depending on materials used. Supervisors: Dennis Coren. Tool and Supply List.
(W23OV3-9) March 9
Follow us on Social Media
Proud member of
Delaware County Arts Consortium
Contact us
24 Upland Road
Brookhaven, PA 19015
610-490-5252
email
New to TLS? We'll send several emails each year about upcoming events and classes. Please check spelling before clicking on subscribe!