Do I need prior jewelry experience?

No experience is required; the class is designed for beginners and starts with basic measuring, forming, and soldering techniques.

What is included in the $85 price?

The listed price includes tools and basic materials (copper and brass) needed to make three sizes of hoops.

Can I work in sterling silver?

Yes — sterling is available but requires an additional $30 materials fee.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 16 years old to join this workshop.

How many people are in a class?

Classes are limited to six participants to ensure hands-on time and individualized instruction.

Where is the meeting point and parking?

Meet at 303 Chance Street, Lafayette; there is nearby street and public parking, and local cafes within walking distance.

Make Hoop Earrings in Lafayette: Beginner Metal Jewelry Mini-Class | Workshop | Events

The INTRODUCTION to Metal Jewelry Mini-class: Hoop Earrings! takes place at 303 Chance Street in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is a hands-on, four-hour beginner workshop where students learn to form, solder, texture, and polish copper and brass into wearable hoop earrings. No prior experience is required; the class supplies tools, materials, and instruction to make three sizes of hoops and teaches safe torch work and rotary tool use. Instructors guide you through measuring and forming on a mandrel, preparing and soldering an ear post, filing and sanding edges, and achieving a polished finish. The workshop unfolds in an intimate group of up to six people, which keeps workstations close and conversation lively while allowing individualized attention. This studio session is practical and tactile: you’ll learn how hammer texture alters shine, how copper and brass patina differently, and why clean solder joints matter for durability. Lafayette provides an energetic backdrop — a city in Acadiana known for its food, music, and craft traditions — so pairing a class with a stroll through local shops or a plate of boudin makes for a full afternoon. Beginners often appreciate the clear progression from measuring to finishing; more experienced makers will find plenty of technique to refine, including solder placement, texture patterns, and final polish. Bring your curiosity and, if you want, a small sketch or reference photo; sterling work is possible for an extra materials fee, otherwise copper and brass are included in the base price. Practical notes: the class runs about four hours, has a 16+ minimum age, and limits six participants — small groups mean you’ll get hands-on time at the torch and bench with instructor feedback. Safety is emphasized: expect eye protection, fume control, and step-by-step torch instruction so beginners can gain confidence without cutting corners. After class you’ll leave with multiple pairs of earrings, a clearer sense of metal behavior, and new skills to pursue more ambitious projects or to join future mixed-metal sessions. The shop’s precise street address, 303 Chance Street, anchors the experience downtown; parking and nearby cafes make the class an easy add-on to a Lafayette day of eating and exploring. Whether you’re traveling through Acadiana or local to Lafayette, this mini-class converts curiosity into a wearable souvenir and offers a practical introduction to techniques that reward steady practice. Expect lively instruction, tools at each bench, and guidance on aftercare for your new pieces; the class’s price of $85 includes tools and basic materials, with sterling optional for $30 extra, making it a cost-effective creative stop for makers and visitors alike. Book online through the provided referral link or call ahead to confirm class dates; come ready to learn hands-on metalwork, meet other makers, and walk away with one-of-a-kind earrings.

About Pottery Alley

Pottery Alley is a Lafayette, Louisiana pottery studio offering hands-on classes, workshops, camps, and private events. The studio focuses on wheel-throwing and handbuilding instruction for adults and youth, providing clay, glazes, and firing for each session. Instructors guide beginners through foundational techniques and support experienced makers refining form and surface. Classes meet weekly, including Thursday Morning Wheel, Wednesday Night Wheel, and Thursday Night Handbuilding, each designed for paced learning and community connection.

Pottery Alley runs a five-day Kid's Wheel Day Camp for ages 10–17 where participants craft multiple pieces on the wheel and complete a glazing session; campers take home five to eight finished artworks. For adults, the studio offers Party packages and Date Night evenings that combine guided pottery activities with social time; parties accommodate celebrations like bridal showers and small gatherings. Wheel for Dummies is a concise three-hour workshop introducing total beginners to wheel throwing through hands-on practice creating cylinders and bowls, with materials and firing included.

The studio emphasizes a supportive, relaxed environment that encourages creativity and skill development. Pottery Alley maintains clear class schedules, transparent pricing at booking, and provides necessary materials on site to simplify participation. Safety and studio cleanliness are upheld during sessions, and finished pieces are returned after glazing and firing. Located in Lafayette, Pottery Alley serves local residents and visitors seeking accessible pottery experiences, creative group events, and skill-building workshops. The studio also offers private bookings and flexible scheduling for groups, with clear pickup timelines for completed pieces and friendly staff support.