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 GROUP CLASSES and SEMI-PRIVATE CLASSES, Monday thru Friday and OPEN STUDIO TIME on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and occasional Sunday afternoons. Our studio also offers a variety of weekend 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 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.
Please call us if you have any questions at (619) 299-9619, or contact us online.
Interested in a Gift Certificate? We have those, too! Please call our studio.
Group Classes
Join us for one of our group classes!
Class Sessions for 2019 are scheduled as follows:
Session 1 (8 weeks) MON Jan 7...
Semi-Private Classes
For those who want a longer time in the studio and more intense instruction.
Class Sessions for 2019 are scheduled as follows:
Session...
Open Studio Time
We also offer open studio time based on the studio's availability. Jay Whaley is in the studio for individual support during open...
Class Sessions for 2019 are scheduled as follows:
| Session 1 (8 weeks) MON Jan 7 – Feb 25 TUE Jan 8 – Feb 26 WED Jan 9 – Feb 27 THUR Jan 10 – Feb 28 FRI Jan 11 – Mar 1 (Break: Mar 4 – Mar 8) |
Session 2 (8 weeks) MON Mar 11 – Apr 29 TUE Mar 12 – Apr 30 WED Mar 13 – May 1 THUR Mar 14 – May 2 FRI Mar 15 – May 3 (Break: May 6 – May 10) |
Session 3 (8 weeks) MON May 13 – Jul 1 TUE May 14 – Jul 2 WED May 15 – Jul 3 THUR May 16 – Jul 4 FRI May 17 – Jul 5 (Break: July 8 – July 12) |
| Session 4 (5 weeks) SUMMER MON July 15 – Aug 12 TUE July 16 – Aug 13 WED July 17 – Aug 14 THUR July 18 – Aug 15 FRI July 19 – Aug 16 (Break: Aug 19 – Aug 23) |
Session 5 (8 weeks) MON Aug 26 – Oct 14 TUE Aug 27 – Oct 15 WED Aug 28 – Oct 16 THUR Aug 29 – Oct 17 FRI Aug 30 – Oct 18 (Break: Oct 21 – Oct 25) |
Session 6 (8 weeks) MON Oct 28 – Dec 16 TUE Oct 29 – Dec 17 WED Oct 30 – Dec 18 THUR Oct 31 – Dec 19 FRI Nov 1 – Dec 20 (Break: Dec 23 – Jan 3) |
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.