TUSCARORA LAPIDARY SOCIETY, INC.
We teach the journey from rocks to gems to jewelry.
Class Schedule
Fall Classes Begin September 5, 2023
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.
• Our online registration system is working again. Follow the procedure below to register.
• 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 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
(F23CM9-18) Fusing Silver and Chain Making:
(5 weeks beginning on September 18) Noon-4PM. Skill level – Confident Beginner. Minimum 3, maximum 6.
Learn the basic techniques of making chains by fusing and bending fine silver and bending copper. In addition to the class projects, other chain designs will be demonstrated.
Instructor: Sheryl Dahl.
Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) approximately $60.
Tools and Supply list
(F23AC9-11) Advanced Cabochons:
(10 weeks beginning September 11) 7:30-9:30pm. Members only. Limit 7.
Instructor: Stacey Segal.
Tuition: M$70.
Tools and Supply list.
The Courses for Tuesday
(F23WM9-5) Wax Carving:
(10 weeks beginning September 5) 7:30-9:30PM. Limit 10.
Learn how to make a wax model that will be cast into a piece of sterling silver jewelry. Open to new and experienced students. Students should have some ideas of what they want to make and bring pictures. The first night we will discuss duplicating and scaling from pictures.
Instructors: Don Schwarzkopf and Dennis Coren.
Tuition: NM $120/M$60.Wax is provided; required tools may cost $15-$50 depending on items you may already have.
Tools and Supply List.
(F23IW9-5) Intermediate Wirewrap:
(10 weeks beginning September 5) 7:30-9:30PM. Minimum 4, maximum 10.
Students will learn how to use different tools to make projects using sterling silver wire.
Instructor: Ellen Schwarzkopf.
Tuition: NM$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) approximately $50 depending on the choice of projects.
Tools and Supply List
The Courses for Wednesday
(F23IS9-13) Intermediate Silver:
(8 weeks beginning September 13) 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.
Tools and Supply List
(F23BS9-13) Beginning Silver:
(8 weeks beginning September 13) 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.
Tools and Supply List
(F23FT9-6) Faceting:
(8 weeks beginning September 6; No class Sept. 13, Oct. 11, or Nov. 8) 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.
Tools and Supply List
The Courses for Thursday
(F23BC9-7) Beginning/Intermediate Cabochons:
(6 weeks beginning September 7) 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. 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 Bill Frampton.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70.
Tools and Supply List
(F23AC9-7) Advanced Cabochons:
(6 weeks beginning September 7) 1-4PM. Limit 6. Members only.
Instructors: John Chickadel and Bill Frampton.
Tuition: $70.
Tools and Supply List
(F23BC9-7E) Beginning/Intermediate Cabochons:
(10 weeks beginning September 7; No class Nov. 2) 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. 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: Joanne Morris and Christina Groff.
Tuition: NM$130/M$70.
Tools and Supply List
(F23BS9-14) Beginning Silver:
(8 weeks beginning September 14) 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$120/M$60. Materials fee (payable to instructor) approximately $40, depending on projects chosen.
Tools and Supply List
Weekend Workshops
(F23BB9-9) Glass Bead Making:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, September 9 & 10) 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.
Tools and Supply List
(F23AS9-16) Hinged Bangle:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, September 16 & 17) 10AM-5PM. Minimum 7, maximum 10.
Hinges and safety catches are invaluable skills to learn in this two-day workshop. These techniques are applicable for numerous jewelry projects. There will be hands-on demonstrations incorporating materials and tools. Students will use this knowledge to make a hinged and latched bangle bracelet with a bezel-set gemstone.
Guest Instructor: Marthe Roberts/Shea.
Tuition: NM$245/M$185. Cost estimate for materials (to be purchased in advance by students), approximately $75.
Tools and Supply List
(F23CR9-17) Bead Embroidered Cabochon:
(One-day workshop, Sunday, September 17) 1PM-5PM. Limit 8. Skill level – Confident Beginner/Intermediate.
Come advance your bead embroidery skills beyond basic beginner classes, exploring possibilities with the inclusion of additional cabs/buttons and using beads other than basic seed beads in your design. Bring a cab – round or oval – no hard corners or inside curves – can be stone, button, clay, or other material.
Instructor: Christy Potter.
Tuition: NM$40/M$20. You will need to bring your own beads, supplies, and tools – bring more than you think you will need in order to play.
Tools and Supply List
(F23EC9-23) Cloisonné Enameling with Silver & Gold Foils:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24) 10AM-5PM. Minimum 6, maximum 8.
Students will learn the art of cloisonné enameling on copper and fine silver and the use of pure silver and gold foils in their cloisonné pieces.
Guest Instructor: Joan Strott-Alvini (http://www.glassongold.com).
Tuition: NM$240/M$180. Materials fee (payable to the instructor), approximately $40.
Tools and Supply List
(F23GF9-30) Introduction to Glass Fusing:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, September 30 & October 1) 9AM- 5PM. Limit 6.
Learn the fundamentals of fusing glass, including cutting glass, kiln schedules, and the tools and equipment used. Explore different applications using sheet glass, stringer, and frit. Projects can include a dish or bowl, pendants, ornaments, and suncatchers.
Instructors: Lynn Bibolet and Jody Shaw.
Tuition: NM$150/M$90.
Tools and Supply List
(F23BG9-30) Gem ID:
(Saturday September 30) 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.
(F23MV10-7) Vulcanizing Rubber Molds and Injection Wax:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, October 7 & 8) 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$170/M$110 (includes $50 materials fee for rubber, wax, and supplies).
Tools and Supply List
(F23JP10-15) Jewelry Photography: (Sunday, October 15) 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, 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 Vince DiAngelus.
Tuition: NM$40/M$20.
(F23MC10-21) Jewelry Investment and Casting:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, October 21 & 22) 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, Don Schwarzkopf, and John Chickadel.
Tuition: NM$170/M$110 (includes $50 materials fee for metal, wax, casting investment, and supplies).
Tools and Supply List
(F23FT11-18) Beginner Faceting Weekend Workshop:
(Two-day workshop, Saturday & Sunday, November 18 & 19) 9AM-5PM. Limit 6. For new students.
Facet a transparent glass gemstone in the TLS #1 pattern.
Instructors: Steve Hansen and Ingrid Ratsep.
Tuition: NM$120/M$60.
Tools and Supply List
The Open Shop Sessions
Open Cabbing:
(Saturdays: 9/16, 10/7, 11/11, 12/9, Mondays: 9/11, 10/9, 11/13, Thursdays: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30) 10AM-4PM. Limit 7.
Prerequisite: One TLS beginning cabbing class.
Supervisors: Stacey Segal (Saturdays), Christy Potter (Mondays), or John Chickadel (Thursdays).
Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day.
Tools and Supply List
Saturdays:
(F23OC9-16) September 16
(F23OC10-7) October 7
(F23OC11-11) November 11
(F23OC12-9) December 9
Mondays:
(F23OC9-11) September 11
(F23OC10-9) October 9
(F23OC11-13) November 13
Thursdays:
(F23OC10-19) October 19
(F23OC10-26) October 26
(F23OC11-2) November 2
(F23OC11-9) November 9
(F23OC11-16) November 16
(F23OC11-30) November 30
Open Slab Saw:
(Saturdays: 9/16, 10/7, 11/11, 12/9, Mondays: 9/11, 10/9, 11/13, Thursdays: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30). Members Only.
Prerequisite: Must be certified for slab saw use. May be taken concurrently with open cabbing.
Supervisors: Stacey Segal (Saturdays), Christy Potter (Mondays), or John Chickadel (Thursdays).
Fee: $10 per hour. Indicate date and preference for AM or PM. Actual times will be scheduled by the Registrar.
Saturdays:
(F23OS9-16) September 16
(F23OS10-7) October 7
(F23OS11-11) November 11
(F23OS12-9) December 9
Mondays:
(F23OS9-11) September 11
(F23OS10-9) October 9
(F23OS11-13) November 13
Thursdays:
(F23OS10-19) October 19
(F23OS10-26) October 26
(F23OS11-2) November 2
(F23OS11-9) November 9
(F23OS11-16) November 16
(F23OS11-30) November 30
Open Metalsmithing/Soldering:
(Saturday: 10/14, 11/18, 12/16, Mondays: 10/23, 11/13) 10AM-4PM. Limit 10.
Prerequisite: One TLS silver class or equivalent (approved by Supervisor).
Supervisors: Stacey Segal (Saturdays) or Linda Green (Mondays).
Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day.
Saturdays:
(F23OM10-14) October 14
(F23OM11-18) November 18
(F23OM12-16) December 16
Mondays:
(F23OM10-23) October 23
(F23OM11-13) November 13
Open Torch (Bead/Marble/Flower):
(Saturday and/or Sunday, November 11 & 12, December 2 & 3, December 9 & 10) 9AM-5PM. Limit 10.
Prerequisite: One TLS glass bead-making class.
Coordinator: Frank Warner.
Fee: NM$44/M$36 per day.
Saturdays:
(F23OT11-11) November 11
(F23OT12-2) December 2
(F23OT12-9) December 9
Sundays:
(F23OT11-12) November 12
(F23OT12-3) December 3
(F23OT12-10) December 10
Open Fusing:
(Saturday and/or Sunday, October 28 & 29) 9AM-5PM. Limit 6.
Prerequisite: One TLS glass fusing class.
Supervisors: Lynn Bibolet or Jody Shaw.
Fee: NM$64/M$56 per day. Note: Glass and frit supplies are included in the tuition.
Saturday:
(F23OF10-28) October 28
Sunday:
(F23OF10-29) October 29
Open Vulcanizing:
(Thursdays: 10/19) 10AM-4PM. Limit 4.
Prerequisite: One TLS Vulcanizing class.
Supervisor: Dennis Coren.
Fee: NM$33/M$27 per day. Materials fee (payable to the instructor) $10-$35 depending on materials used.
Tools and Supply List
(F23OV10-19) October 19
When you are ready for the next step, click this REGISTER button which will take you to a page on which you can enter your choices.
**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.
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. 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.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.)
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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