Intro to Aluminum Jewelry Making: Texture Earrings

Shop Area: Metal Shop

Minimum Age: 10 years old and older

Design and make your own earrings out of aluminum while learning a variety of jewelry-making techniques! You'll be guided through the entire process of creating a pair of earrings out of aluminum sheet metal. Everything from choosing a texture and shape to embossing the metal with your texture, adding and subtracting color, and all the other jewelry-making techniques to make a pair of earrings you're proud to say you made! During this class, you'll be taken through the proper usage of jewelrymaking tools, including hammers, rolling mills, files, sanding tools, and metal snips, plus specialized metal paints. At the end of the class, you'll take away a new pair of earrings and all the knowledge you need to keep going in your jewelry-making journey!

Important Note: Please wear closed-toed shoes and close-fitting clothing. Please do not wear any tops with flowing sleeves, or any garments with loose components like hoodies or drawstrings.

Bonnie Toney’s passion has been creating beautiful things since she was first able to hold a pencil and paintbrush. She got interested in gems and jewelry in elementary school, and sold her first pair of earrings at age 11. A lifelong learner with diverse interests, Bonnie has pursued many types of artistic expression, and it’s not unusual to find several different disciplines contributing to a single piece. Bonnie ran a successful facepainting business for 20 years, in addition to teaching, creating her own art, and raising a family. 

A move to North Carolina in 2013 gave Bonnie the chance to spread her wings artistically, pursuing both traditional metalsmithing and metal clay with vigor. She is currently an instructor at Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem and has taught students of all ages at various venues in the Piedmont Triad. Her work is available at multiple locations in the area, including the Sawtooth Gallery in Winston-Salem, the Southwinds Gallery in Kernersville, and the GreenHill Center for NC Art Gallery in Greensboro. Bonnie was the Featured Artist in the Summer 2024 issue of Metal Clay Today. She is also an enthusiastic participant and exhibitor in the Arts & Health at Duke program. Follow Bonnie on social media to see more of her work and her techniques. 

“I find inspiration in nature, and in artistic traditions like Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement. Elegance of line speaks to me, and I find the interplay of light and color fascinating. I find joy in the creative process, and I love to help others find their joy.”

Find her at:

www.toneydesigns.com

www.instagram.com/toneylady

https://www.facebook.com/ToneyDesigns/

This class is for makers 10 years old and older. Makers under the age of 16 are required to be accompanied by an adult. For any questions please email workshops@wsmixxer.org

Workshops must meet a minimum number of registrations. Mixxer may cancel workshop 48 hours prior to start time, if minimum is not met. Should you need to cancel your registration, 48 hours notice is required to request a cancellation, refund or credit to future workshop date.