Do I need prior experience?

No. This class is designed for beginners; instructors lead each step from measuring to finishing.

What materials are included?

Jewelers brass for one pair of hoops, sterling silver earring posts, and all tools and studio supplies are included.

How long is the class?

The workshop typically runs about three hours but may vary slightly depending on group pace.

Is the studio accessible?

Yes. The classroom is wheelchair accessible according to the listing.

What is the minimum age to attend?

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

What is the cancellation policy?

Customers will receive a full refund or credit with one week notice of cancellation per the listing.

Make Bold Brass Hoops in Grand Lake: Beginner Silversmithing at Rocky Mountain Folk School | Workshop | Events

At Rocky Mountain Folk School — 315 Pitkin St, Grand Lake, CO 80447 — the Silversmithing: Bold Brass Hoops workshop condenses a full metalsmithing primer into a focused three-hour session. This beginner-friendly class guides small groups through measuring, stamping, forming, soldering sterling posts, and the filing and polishing that leaves brass hoops ready to wear. You’ll work with jewelers brass and sterling silver earring posts, using the studio’s full complement of tools under close instruction; the classroom is wheelchair accessible and limited to six students, so each person receives hands-on attention.

Grand Lake sits on the western edge of the high country, and the Folk School’s storefront on Pitkin Street places you within a town defined by pine-fringed water and mountain air. Inside the studio, the scene shifts from alpine vistas to the intimate geometry of metal: coiled brass wire, the bright flash of a jeweler’s saw blade, and the steady orange of a small torch as it makes a soft, controlled seam. Those tactile moments—stamping a name or texture into a hoop, feeling the curve take shape around a mandrel—are the practical core of the day.

Instruction covers tools and safety, sizing and stamping, forming, soldering sterling posts, and finishing techniques. All required materials and tools are provided, and by the end you walk away with a completed pair of statement brass hoops that reflect your choices about texture and form. No prior experience is required, though steady hands and patience help during soldering and fine filing.

Practical details matter: the class is for adults (minimum age 18), often runs around three hours, and can vary slightly with group pace. Bring closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothes suitable for a hands-on studio, reading glasses if you need them, and a water bottle. The Folk School’s approach makes the workshop a strong entry point for anyone curious about metalsmithing and jewelry making—skills that scale into more advanced silversmithing projects.

Beyond the bench, Pitkin Street’s storefronts and the shoreline of Grand Lake make for an easy post-class stroll. Consider pairing the workshop with a morning exploring the town or an afternoon on the lake; the contrast between practiced handwork and mountain openness sharpens the memory of whatever you made. This is a compact, skill-forward experience that leaves you with a wearable souvenir and a clear next step in craft.

At Rocky Mountain Folk School — 315 Pitkin St, Grand Lake, CO 80447 — the course echoes the town’s hands-on maker tradition: instructors trade lecture for bench-side demonstration, and a six-person cap keeps the pace personal. The class’s tangible output—real metal transformed into wearable form—makes it an excellent gift idea or a creative souvenir. Wheelchair accessibility and all-inclusive materials reduce friction, letting you focus on technique.

About Rocky Mountain Folk School

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.