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 wish I could do that!” If you answered YES, then Whaley Studios is your go-to place!
Whaley Studios offers SMALL GROUP CLASSES, limited to 6 students each class, Monday thru Friday. Our studio also offers a variety of Workshops for students of all skill levels. The atmosphere is busy, 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 Workshops(call or email for availability) for those who are seeking a more personal experience and want to create custom rings for their special day. Check out our “Make Your Own Wedding Rings” page for more details.
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.
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...
Open Studio Time
We are not currently offering Open Studio. Please continue to check our website for updates.
Class Sessions for 2021 are scheduled as follows:
| Session 1 MON Jan 4 – Feb 15 TUE Jan 5 – Feb 16 WED Jan 6 – Feb 17 THUR Jan 7 – Feb 18 FRI Jan 8 – Feb 19 (Break: February 22 – 26 ) |
Session 2 MON Mar 1 – Apr 12 TUE Mar 2 – Apr 13 WED Mar 3 – Apr 14 THUR Mar 4 – Apr 15 FRI Mar 5 – Apr 16 (Break: April 19 – 23 ) |
Session 3 MON Apr 26 – Jun 7 TUE Apr 27 – Jun 8 WED Apr 28 – Jun 9 THUR Apr 29 – Jun 10 FRI Apr 30 – Jun 11 (Break: June 14 – 18 ) |
| Session 4 MON Jun 21 – Aug 2 TUE Jun 22 – Aug 3 WED Jun 23 – Aug 4 THUR Jun 24 – Aug 5 FRI Jun 25 – Aug 6 (Break: August 9 – 27 ) |
Session 5 MON Aug 30 – Oct 11 TUE Aug 31 – Oct 12 WED Sept 1 – Oct 13 THUR Sept 2 – Oct 14 FRI Sept 3 – Oct 15 (Break: October 18 – 22) |
Session 6 MON Oct 25 – Dec 13 TUE Oct 26 – Dec 14 WED Oct 27 – Dec 15 THUR Oct 28 – Dec 16 FRI Oct 29 – Dec 17 (Break: Thanksgiving week Nov 22 – 26) |
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.