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Spend an afternoon learning basic metalsmithing and leave with a handmade spinner ring crafted from brass and sterling or copper. This beginner class at Rocky Mountain Folk School is a hands-on, small-group experience perfect for travelers seeking a creative break from outdoor adventures.
Spend an afternoon learning basic metalsmithing and leave with a handmade spinner ring crafted from brass and sterling or copper. This beginner class at Rocky Mountain Folk School is a hands-on, small-group experience perfect for travelers seeking a creative break from outdoor adventures.
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Operated by Rocky Mountain Folk School · Grand Lake, Colorado
At Rocky Mountain Folk School – 315 Pitkin St, Grand Lake, CO 80447 – a three‑hour silversmithing workshop turns raw metal into a distinctly personal keepsake. In this beginner-friendly Spinner Ring class, students shape a wide band from jewelers brass and craft a moving sterling or copper spinner, learning measuring, forming, soldering, and professional finishing in a light-filled studio. Small groups (six max) mean hands-on time at every step: sizing the band, bending and soldering spinner wires, filing, sanding, and polishing until the ring spins smoothly and the edges are clean. What makes this trip special is the combination of tactile craft and place. Grand Lake’s mountain air and lakefront streets frame the Folk School’s workshops, so your finished ring carries a memory of Colorado’s high-country maker culture. The school supplies brass for the main band and spinner wire in sterling or copper; a sterling-wide-band upgrade is available at the start for those who want a heavier, patina-friendly finish. Instructors cover safe tool use, flame work, and finishing techniques so even first-timers leave with a wearable piece and basic metalsmithing vocabulary. Practical logistics: the class runs about three hours and is open to students aged 18 and over. The studio is wheelchair accessible and keeps class sizes small to accommodate individual instruction. Materials and studio tools are included; closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended. With recent shifts in silver prices, the school notes an occasional adjustment to class costs and offers clear cancellation terms—full refund or credit with at least one week’s notice. This workshop stands out for travelers who want more than a souvenir: it’s an opportunity to learn a new hand skill in a community-focused makerspace, and to take home an object you actually made. If you’re visiting Grand Lake to hike, fish, or paddle, schedule the class as an afternoon craft break—your ring will be a tactile reminder of the rugged peaks and clear water that define the area. For repeat visitors, the techniques learned here are a foundation for future jewelry experiments. Bring reading glasses if you need close work, and plan for concentrated, hands-on time with hot tools and metal. Whether you sign up solo or with a partner, the Spinner Ring workshop offers a compact, creative detour from trailtime: practical instruction, quality metals, and a finished ring that moves as freely as the mountain breeze. Check-in is at Rocky Mountain Folk School – 315 Pitkin St, Grand Lake, CO 80447; arrive a few minutes early to set up. Tools and protective gear are provided, and instructors prioritize safety during soldering and polishing. Expect some cooling time between steps; leave room in your schedule for any extra finishing that helps your ring achieve a balanced spin.
easy.
3 hours.
Light — suitable for most adults; requires standing at a bench and manual dexterity for fine handwork.
No. This beginner class teaches foundational metalsmithing techniques step by step.
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Yes. Jewelers brass for the wide band, spinner wire, studio tools, and finishing supplies are provided.
Yes— the studio is wheelchair accessible to accommodate a variety of students.
A sterling silver wide-band upgrade is available at the start of class for an additional fee.
Full refund or credit is offered with at least one week’s notice of cancellation.
Rocky Mountain Folk School is part of Grand Lake’s small but active maker community, offering craft classes rooted in traditional hand skills.
The studio encourages responsible materials use and recycling of scrap metal; visitors are asked to minimize waste and follow studio safety to protect shared resources.
Rocky Mountain Folk School in Grand Lake, Colorado offers hands-on craft workshops and skill-based classes for adults and children. The school hosts a rotating schedule of experiences led by skilled instructors, including glass artist Linda Dewey and master woodworker Dennis Fanning. Offerings range from short holiday projects — such as Glass Fusing: Christmas Ornaments and Beaded Snowflakes — to multi-session or intermediate classes like Glass Fusion Water Color Technique and Woodturning Workshop. Several sessions focus on fiber and surface design, including Silk Painted Suncatchers, Batik Flowers on Suede, and Watercolor: Holiday Postcards. Leatherwork classes include Leather Belt Making Workshop and Kids Leather Tooling & Bracelet Class, and more specialized options include Flint Knapping 101, Pottery for Adults, and Glass Fusion Butterfly Vase. The school also provides personalized entry points such as Gourd Craft 101, a one-on-one session that introduces new members to the Gourd Patch club and includes a complimentary gourd. Sessions vary in length and skill level — from 1.5- to multi-day workshops — and use classroom space, kilns, and studio tools appropriate to each craft. Rocky Mountain Folk School emphasizes hands-on instruction, safe tool use, and creative exploration in a community-focused setting. Prospective participants can register online or inquire about private reservations to find the right class for skill level, project preference, and scheduling needs. Classes accommodate beginners through intermediate makers, and materials are provided for specific projects when noted. Workshop descriptions specify duration, required skills, kiln firings, and registration instructions on the school’s online calendar page today.
Book with Rocky Mountain Folk School