Class Information and Schedule
Are you having creative pangs that need a place to be realized? Are you a beginning to advanced metalsmith needing a fun, stimulating, and creative place to work? Do you look at jewelry and think “I want to do that!” If you answered YES, then Whaley Studios is your go-to place!
Whaley Studios offers SMALL GROUP CLASSES in classic metalsmithing three times a day Monday through Thursday, with one class on Friday morning. Sessions are 7 weeks long. Enrollment is limited to 6 students per class . Class time options are: 9am to Noon, 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm. Once your class day and time is scheduled you will come to class once a week at that time for seven weeks. Our studio atmosphere is fun, creative, and welcoming! We are located in the dynamic Hillcrest area of San Diego near fine restaurants and shopping. Our air-conditioned, fully equipped studio is upstairs, and features a large balcony. Parking is by paid street meter, pay lots (three within a block) or off-street, free parking in the residential area a few blocks away. Whaley Studios is also proud to offer Do-It-Yourself Wedding Ring and Special Occasion Ring Workshops for those who are seeking a more personal experience and want to create custom rings for their special day. The DIY workshops are not limited to just wedding rings – we can help you create special occasion rings as well. Check out our “Make Your Own Wedding Rings” page for more details or give us a call!
Class Format
Whaley Studios classes are designed to help guide and develop the creative potential of each individual student. Beginning students, those with no experience or limited prior experience, start with the fabrication of a sterling silver ring of their design. This gives each new student a chance to immerse themselves in the classic process of metalsmithing – learning to alloy silver, melting silver and pouring an ingot, using a rolling mill, forming, soldering and finishing a ring of their own design. Through this process students learn studio safety, vocabulary and technique through hands-on experience. More advanced students work on projects of their own design and choice. Health and safety are very important at Whaley Studios. We require students and staff to wear masks at all times, and follow strict cleaning and sanitizing protocols. Class size is limited to 6 students to permit social distancing. Tuition for the 7 week session is $350.
Please call us if you have any questions at (619) 299-9619, or contact us online.
Small Group Classes
Class size limited to six students. Personalized instruction in a three-hour block.
Class Sessions for 2021 are scheduled as follows:
Session 1...
Class Sessions for 2022 are scheduled as follows: Session 1, 2022 is full.
| Session 1 MON Jan 3 – Feb 14 TUE Jan 4 – Feb 15 WED Jan 5 – Feb 16 THUR Jan 6 – Feb 17 FRI Jan 7 – Feb 18 (Break: Feb 22 – 25 ) |
Session 2 MON Feb 28 – Apr 11 TUE Mar 1 – Apr 12 WED Mar 2 – Apr 13 THUR Mar 3 – Apr 14 FRI Mar 4 – Apr 15 (Break: April 18 – 22) |
Session 3 MON Apr 25 – Jun 10 (closed Memorial Day) TUE Apr 26 – Jun 11 WED Apr 27 – Jun 12 THUR Apr 28 – Jun 13 FRI Apr 29 – Jun 14 (Break: June 13 – 24 TWO WEEK BREAK ) |
| Session 4 MON Jun 27 – Aug 8 (closed July 4) TUE Jun 28 – Aug 9 WED Jun 29 – Aug 10 THUR Jun 30 – Aug 11 FRI Jul 1 – Aug 12 (Break: August 15 – 19 ) |
Session 5 MON Aug 22 – Oct 3 (closed Labor Day TUE Aug 23 – Oct 4 WED Aug 24 – Oct 5 THUR Aug 25 – Oct 6 FRI Aug 26 – Oct 7 (Break: October 10 – 21 TWO WEEK BREAK) |
Session 6 MON Oct 24 – Dec 12 TUE Oct 25 – Dec 13 WED Oct 26 – Dec 14 THUR Oct 27 – Dec 15 FRI Oct 28 – Dec 16 (Break: Thanksgiving week Nov 21 – 25) |
Student Testimonials
Whaley Studios has helped many students with their jewelry careers over the years, but the focus is less about training students to become professional jewelers and more about giving people the opportunity to bring creativity and personal expression into their lives. It’s about nurturing and guiding the creative impulse – in a relaxed class format that people can manage even with busy schedules, and it takes place with a fun community of others all engaged in the creative process. Students gain confidence in learning new skills and taking a process from conception to completion in a way they find delightful, not just with the end result but with the experiences gained along the way.
T. Bennett
Jay is the man. Seriously. A master goldsmith with the heart of a teacher. His classes are the highlight of my week. The fellow artists are really cool to hang with also. So fun to be around people who love art.
Ahava Y.