El Dorado | A honolulu casting lab
Learn the art of making Jewelry
Get hands on for a special experience!
Available Classes and Workshops
Metal Basics Series – Spinner Ring
Price: $200.00
When: Sundays, 1:30pm - 4:30pm. November 17, 24; December 8, 15, 2024
Break: December 1, 2024, Thanksgiving Day weekend
A materials fee of $40.00 is due at the first class.
Spinner ring, fidget ring, worry ring … whatever you call it … it is an undeniably fun interactive piece of jewelry that calms and delights us.
We are offering a special four-week Spinner Ring Workshop where students will learn the basic metalsmithing skills of sawing, filing, forming, metal stamping, and soldering, while creating a one-of-a-kind Spinner ring.
We will be working with copper and silver, and using a butane torch to complete in-class projects.
This class is suitable for beginners and will be four sessions, three hours each session.
CAD For Jewelry Design
Price: $475
When: Tuesdays January 14,21,28 Feb 4,11,18,25 March 4 6:00-9:00
Class description:
CAD and 3D printing tools are revolutionizing how jewelers design and fabricate their work. This 8 week course will get students up and running with a 90 day free license of Rhino CAD software through demonstrations, hands on exercises and original design projects. Prototypes of student projects can be printed throughout the 8 week program. Support and resources for printing, investing and casting will be offered.
Please Note: This is a in person class. For easiest use of the software students should bring a mouse with their laptop.
Please do not download or sign up for the software until we are within a few days of the start date of the class.
Early registration discount starts Dec 9 - 9:00 am Ends on Dec 23 -9:00 am Use Discount code CADDISC at check out.
Please see cancellation policy
Instructor : Nathaniel Breeden
Intro to Wax Carving/ Jewelry Design Wednesdays
Price: $400.00
When: Wednesdays 5:45 to 8:45 Oct. 2,9,16,23,30 Nov. 6,13,20
Class description:
In this introductory class you will learn the art of Wax carving, and expand your creative horizons. During this 8 week class you will learn the basics of wax carving, the tools of the trade, design development strategies, treeing, sprueing, casting prep and metal calculations. All tools and materials are provided. Additional costs for silver and gold casting alloys. We will cover techniques used for designing simple rings and pendants wax textures and stone in place casting techniques. Students will learn to preform post cast finishing process, metal textures and finishes. Students will have the opportunity to have their designs cast in bronze, sterling silver or gold.
Early registration discount starts Dec 9 - 9:00 am Ends on Dec 23 -9:00 am Use Discount code WAXWED at check out.
Intro to Wax Carving/ Jewelry Design Sunday Mornings
Price: $400
When: Sundays 9:00 AM to 12:00 Jan 19,26 Feb 2,9,16,23 March 2,9th
Class description:
In this introductory class you will learn the art of Wax carving, and expand your creative horizons. During this 8 week class you will learn the basics of wax carving, the tools of the trade, design development strategies, treeing, sprueing, casting prep and metal calculations. All tools and materials are provided. Additional costs for silver and gold casting alloys. We will cover techniques used for designing simple rings and pendants wax textures and stone in place casting techniques. Students will learn to preform post cast finishing process, metal textures and finishes. Students will have the opportunity to have their designs cast in bronze, sterling silver or gold.
Early registration discount starts Dec 9 - 9:00 am Ends on Dec 23 -9:00 am Use Discount code WAXSUN at check out.
Metal Basics Series – BEGINNING JEWELRY MAKING
Price: $450.00
Class Schedule: Sundays, 1:30pm - 4:30pm. 10 weeks starting Feb. 2,9,16,23 March 2,9,16,23,30 April 6 2025
A materials fee of $75.00 is due at the first class.
Curious about soldering and metalsmithing, but don’t know where to start? Or are you interested in creating silver jewelry for yourself, friends and family? Perhaps your metalsmithing skills are a little rusty and you need a refresher course? Then this class is for you. In this introductory class, we will explore the essential metalsmith techniques of sawing, filing, drilling, forming, metal stamping, stone setting, and soldering. Using these new skills, we will fabricate a variety of unique and exciting pendants, rings, bracelets, or earrings.
We will be working with copper and silver, and using a butane torch to complete in-class projects.
This class is suitable for beginners and will be ten sessions, three hours each session.
Early registration discount starts Dec 9 - 9:00 am Ends on Dec 23 -9:00 am Use Discount code MBBEGIN at check out.
Instructor: Lori Monma
Jewelry Making Basics intermediate
Price $450.00
Class schedule: Saturdays, 1:30 pm - 4:30pm 10 weeks starting Feb.8,15,22 March 1,8,15,22,29 April 5, 12
A material fee of $TBD is due at the first class.
Have you taken some beginning metalsmithing classes, and are ready for more? In this intermediate class, we will revisit and expand on the skills and knowledge learned in the beginner’s class, and explore some new and interesting skills and techniques. We will cover more ways to set gemstones and how to add embellishments to the setting.
We will be working with copper and silver, and using a butane torch to complete in-class projects.
This class is for students who have taken a Beginning Jewelry Making Class or Workshop from El
Dorado Casting Lab. Or, have previous metalsmithing experience.
This class will be ten sessions, three hours each session.
Early registration discount starts Dec 9 - 9:00 am Ends on Dec 23 -9:00 am Use Discount code MBIDISC at check out.
Instructor: Lori Monma
Metal Basics Series -Tube Setting
Price $250.00
Class Schedule: Sundays, 1:30pm-4:30pm.
A materials fee of $35.00 is due at the first class.
So, you’re interested in learning metalsmithing and soldering, or, you need to brush up on your skills, but ten-weeks is too long? Maybe a shorter five-week course that teaches the basics and focuses on one stone setting technique fits your schedule better. We are offering a five-week Tube Setting Workshop where students will learn the basic metalsmithing skills of sawing, filing, drilling, forming, metal stamping, and soldering, while focusing on setting faceted CZs into fashionable, one-of-a-kind jewelry. We will be working with copper and silver, and using a butane torch to complete in-class projects.
This class is suitable for beginners and will be five sessions, three hours each session.
Instructor: Lori Monma
Metal Basics Series - Prong Setting
Cost $250.00
Class Schedule: Sundays, 1:30 pm-4:30pm,
A materials fee of $35.00 is due at the first class.
You want to learn jewelry making, or, you already have some experience and want a quick review, but a ten-week course seems too long. Maybe a shorter five-week course that teaches the basics and focuses on one stone setting technique better fits your needs. We are offering a five-week Prong Setting Workshop where students will learn the basic metalsmithing skills of sawing, filing, drilling, forming, metal stamping, and soldering, while focusing on creating projects using the versatile prong setting technique. Students can design and fabricate a pendant, ring, bracelet, or earrings. We will be working with copper and silver, and using a butane torch to complete in-class projects.
This class is suitable for beginners and will be five sessions, three hours each session.
Instructor: Lori Monma
CAD For Jewelry Design 2.0
Price: $475.00
When: Fall Dates to be announced
So now that you have learned to power of Rhino CAD software lets keep it going ! In this class you will learn advanced design techniques while tapping into some more of the tool menus. Repeating some of the basics while adding more to the process. Students will create multiple designs and have the opportunity to have their designs printed and or cast. Instructor: Nathaniel Breeden
If you haven’t yet its time to consider buying a license for the software.
Please Note: This is a in person class. For easiest use of the software students should bring a mouse with their laptop.
Exploring Enameling
Sake Cup enamel workshop
1 day 3 hours $120.00 + $18.00 fee per cup - materials fee $20 per cup.
A no experience necessary workshop to enamel your own sake cup! Participants can play with sifting, stencils, and other forms of quick, beginner friendly applications to decorate and take home their own kiln fired sake cup.
Instructors: Tabitha Taraya
Open Studio Sessions
If you are currently enrolled in an El Dorado class, a member or have been invited, you may enroll in our Open Studio Sessions to continue working on your jewelry projects. You will have access to the tool kits and designated open studio bench space and equipment. You must be per-qualified to use torches and kilns. Members and students must supply their own materials such as but not limited to carving wax materials, any metal and solder. Sessions are three hours in duration and may be purchased singly ($25) or in a discounted bulk package of 6 ($135) and Ten ($200.00) Please contact us for purchase and scheduling info.
PRIVATE WORKSHOPS
In the entry level wax carving workshops we will :
Show you the tools of the trade
Teach you the basic wax carving techniques
Allow you to select the metal of your choice other than sterling silver (not included in the cost)
Select the type of finish and or texture
Add diamonds or gems, based on availability. (Setting labor and stones not included in the cost)
Tour our casting facility
All items are cast off site and delivered to you with your desired finish and or stones set, please see cancellation policy below
Wedding bands / Wax Carving: $350.00 per couple Includes up to 20 grams deox sterling silver casting. Contact us to schedule
In this three hour workshop you will be able to make two, one of a kind wedding bands. All tools and materials provided.
Ring Design/Wax Carving: $175.00 per person includes up to 10 grams deox sterling silver casting. Contact us to schedule
Learn to make yourself a one of a kind ring (three hour workshop)
Contact us for group rates and customized workshops for corporate, birthday, bridal and other events.
Cancellation policy:
If you are unable to attend your scheduled workshop please contact us as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly.
For our 3 hour workshops :
If canceling at least five days prior to your scheduled workshop date you can reschedule your workshop or receive a credit towards another future workshop, service or membership package.
Any cancellation less than five days prior to the event date will incur a $50 administration fee.
Any cancellation the day of the event will incur a %75 administration fee.
For 3 hour group workshops (4 or more people)
If cancelling at least 8 days prior to your scheduled workshop date you can reschedule your workshop or receive a credit towards another workshop, service or membership package. A refund may be available minus a %30 administration fee.
Any cancellation less than 8 days prior to the event date will incur a 50 % admin fee.
Any cancellation less than 3 days prior to the event date will incur a 75% admin fee.
For multi session classes:
If canceling more than 10 days prior to your scheduled class start date you can reschedule your workshop or receive a credit towards another future workshop, service or membership package. In some cases a refund may be available minus a 30% administration fee
Or if you are unable to attend a scheduled multi day class.
Any cancellation less than 10 days prior to the class start date will incur a 50% administration fee applied.
Any cancellation less than 5 days prior to the class will incur a 75% administration fee.
If you must cancel a workshop that was part of a membership package the membership start date will begin on the original date of the scheduled workshop.
If for any reason El Dorado Casting Lab llc is unable to perform its duties such as scheduled workshops or classes, member events, open studios and services. El Dorado casting Lab llc will reschedule such events within a reasonable time or provide options to clients that will fulfill its obligations.