Private lessons
Curious about what a private lesson at Alloy: A Metalsmithing Community actually looks like? You're in the right place.
While our private lessons page offers a long list of suggested topics and techniques, you're definitely not limited to those. Think of private lessons as a “choose your own adventure” experience — tailored to your goals, interests, and imagination.
In this post, we’re sharing the story of one student’s unique experience to give you a better sense of what’s possible. Don’t be shy about choosing “other” when you book. If we can help, we’re all in.
MEET Madi!
Owner of MadiMade
Social Member since August 2023. Madi is a talented metalsmith and all around rad human.
Step 1 - set goals for your lesson
Madi is an experienced metalsmith and high school jewelry instructor, but came to Alloy for some specialized guidance. She was looking to “fill in the gaps” of her current knowledge. When she was gifted a private lesson for her birthday, she made a plan and then booked some time with Kelly. Madi had two projects she hoped to work on in lessons:
Finishing up her first bolo tie
Making her first gold ring
Knowing what you want to learn is half the battle.Do you want to focus on a specific technique or would you rather complete a project. If the later, what are the details of the project? Does Alloy have the tools required or do you need to invest in some specialized tools? Do you need to find some materials outside of what we offer in our studio’s store? We can help decide whether your project is appropriate or not based on your skill level and experience.
Overwhelmed and not sure where to start? book an AMA (Ask me anything) call and get our help Dreaming/planning.
Step 2 - Make a Plan
Once you’ve figured out what you want to tackle, step 2 is making sure you have or can get the proper materials to work on during your lesson. Materials are NOT included in the hourly cost of lessons, so keep that in mind and be prepared to make an additional purchase if needed. Our store has lots of basic materials for silver fabrication: sheet, wire, bezel, stones, etc., so often you can pick up what you need when you arrive.
In Madi’s case, she wanted to try her hand at working with gold, so planning ahead was important. “Kelly had the instructor code through Rio that allowed me to purchase my own 14k gold for my ring prior to my lesson, which I wouldn’t have been able to do as far as I know. I still haven’t bought gold since lol.”
For her bolo, Madi said “I came prepared with what I knew I was going to need, the bezel formed around the stone and soldered closed. I had a lot of inspiration pictures of things I liked as far as the edge/border embellishment but wasn’t sure how to achieve the look.”
Step 3 - Show up for your lesson
When you arrive to the studio, we’ll talk through your lesson plan (if we haven’t already) and get to work. It is helpful for us to have an understanding of your current skills, equipment you have, your home set up and your general goals. This can take a bit of time in your initial lesson, but trust me, it will help us give you the best education based on where you are now and where you want to go.
Madi brought her own toolbox, metal & stones. “I came prepared with what I knew I was going to need, the bezel formed around the stone and soldered closed. I had a lot of inspiration pictures of things I liked as far as the edge/border embellishment but wasn’t sure how to achieve the look. She (Kelly) helped me draw out a design and we were able to achieve the effect with the half round wire I brought.”
“For the gold rings I made-we were able to start it and then Kelly took notes on what I needed to do to finish it on my own. Basically all the stuff I felt confident enough to do on my own I took home to save time since there was so much material to cover in-person”
step 4 - Continued Learning and finishing your project(s)!
Sketch Of Madi’s design idea during her lesson.
Madi’s first BOLO! Sterling silver, leather cord,
Back Detail of Madi’s bolo tie.
We try to teach as efficiently as possible. Learning with us can sometimes feel like drinking water from a fire hose, so hold on and try to get the most out of the amount of time you’ve booked. Some students take the information and continue the work in their own studio and on their own time. Others prefer completing projects step by step with an instructor. Both approaches work — it all depends on your confidence. For Madi, she got a ton of advice and some hands on time, but then “all the stuff I felt confident enough to do on my own I took home to save time since there was so much material to cover in-person.”
Madi’s Gold Ring - “I ordered 6” of 14K yellow gold half-round wire and made a double ring band. I wear it everyday. I was able to order some gold solder too (wouldn’t have understood what kind to order without her guidance, it’s seemed so different from ordering silver wire solder)”
after Your LEsson…
We take notes and encourage you to do the same. Often, we’ll even follow-up your lesson with some links to tools we mentioned, the name of that book we thought you should check out, and maybe a reminder about the next Alloy event we think you should go to. For Madi, Kelly recommended “Soldering Demystified” and a Native American Silversmithing book from our library to continue her education.
Madi made this super cool, hollow, silver canteen on her own after her lesson!
“I borrowed the silversmithing book and used it to continue teaching myself new techniques by following along with projects in the book. I made a traditional silver tobacco canteen that turned out super cool.”
Soon after taking lessons with us, Madi became a social member. We absolutely love having her in this community and have truly enjoyed watching her grow as a metalsmith. Once Madi had one bolo tie complete, she couldn’t be stopped. Check out this past bolo collection of hers.
Madi's bolo tie collection featured in a boutique in Austin, TX.
““I feel way more confident in problem solving on my own and also more experienced when it comes to soldering operations. Kelly just oozes knowledge so I feel like anytime i work on a project around her I learn so much and level up as a metalsmith. It (Lessons) has been the gift that keeps on giving ever since.” ”