WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS
New metalsmithing retreats are here! And check out my page on metalsmithing classes for links to my current schedule in Berkeley, San Rafael, and Kelseyville.
Bead and Button Show 2010 Students - more information
Puget Sound Bead Festival 2010 Students - more information
When I was at university, working towards my degree in metalsmithing, I kept hearing about all of the graduates from my school who went on to become teachers. I never thought I would teach - instead I was going to make it as a jewelry artist, selling my work to collectors, galleries, shops, etc. Well, a decade point seven later, and a mortgage, wife and two dogs later, I'm happy to report, I love teaching. I should have known, because I was the guy around the studio who couldn't help himself - I always helped the other students with their projects. That experience and my five years teaching metalsmithing workshops around the San Francisco Bay area have helped me to become a good teacher. My students tell me that I'm clear, patient, encouraging and offer a lot of bang for the buck, both in my detailed handouts and how much material I squeeze into a workshop. I teach at Baubles and Beads in San Rafael and Berkeley, at Perlz Beads & Yarns - our store in Kelseyville.
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WAX CARVING
What is wax carving? Well, have you ever wanted to cast your own designs in metal, like silver, gold or bronze? Then you need lost wax casting, and carving a wax model is how you prepare your piece for casting. I love carving wax. And I get to carve wax models for a living. Nice. My clients typically are looking for a way to make their jewelry stand apart from the masses, with some original charms, clasps, or logo tags. And sometimes I make custom one of a kind rings and jewelry for people looking for something special, as a gift or for themselves. Check out my pages on the lost wax process, my portfolio and more about how I can help you cast your own original designs with custom wax models.
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CUSTOM AND READYMADE JEWELRY
Making custom, one of a kind jewelry on demand is both challenging and fun. Usually the designs have some meaning for my clients and together we try to find the best way to bring it to reality. There is a deep down connection we have as humans with ornament like beads, jewelry and tattoos. There are beads that date from 40,000 years ago. And we know of at least 7,000 years of history with metalsmithing and jewelry. We have a need to express ourselves with ornament. It can help to identify our culture or subculture, our tastes in music and art, and say so much about who we are without words. Take a look at my custom work and if you'd like to have something special made for yourself or as a gift, use my form to get a quote. Or shop my pages of readymade jewelry of animals, like frogs, rabbits, dogs and more.
read more about my jewelry...
Dog Bone and Collar Clasp by Joe Silvera
Click here to see this item for sale. Recently, in a Simply Beads newsletter, my clasp was used in a bracelet made by Barb Switzer. If you're looking for this clasp, it's for sale on our sister site, Perlz.com.
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about me
 My name is Joe Silvera and I am a humble metalsmith, wax carver, co-owner of a bead and yarn store, and jewelry teacher. Writing a bio about myself seems like a perfect time to try to make sense of the crooked road that led me to here and now. After wandering around California State University at Long Beach as a general arts major, taking painting, sculpture and illustration classes, I tried a jewelry class, because my college roommate showed me his samples from his class. I loved it immediately, because I could bring everything from my fine arts background to jewelry.
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links
portfolio
shop my jewelry
visit our bead & yarn store
schedule of retreats and workshops
contact joe
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