Club rebrands to reflect variety of creative possibilities

JEWELRY AND LAPIDARY CLUB

The Lapidary Club has changed its name to the Jewelry and Lapidary Club, a more appropriate name since the club covers so many creative options.

The club meets on Wednesdays evenings in Clubhouse 4, six or more days a week. The schedule of dates and times for all activities is posted on the Lapidary Studio door.

The club holds classes for beginners in beading, fused glass, lapidary, and more advanced multi-week classes in silversmithing, metalsmithing, copper enameling and faceting.

In beading, people can flex their creative abilities to make necklaces, earrings, bracelets, suncatchers and much more by using beads, wire and stones with expert supervisors like Shannon Brennan every Monday morning from 9 a.m.-noon, or with Aletta Stephen and Thuy Do Friday afternoons from noon-3 p.m.

Dichroic fused glass classes allow people to learn how to create fused glass pieces. Those who are interested can come Tuesday mornings or Thursday afternoons where experienced instructors Yevette Louie and Mary Chavez are available for training.

Fused glass classes are offered regularly to learn basic skills needed to make to make plates, seasonal ornaments, jewelry and more.

Silversmithing involves soldering of several configurations of sterling silver metals to create items of jewelry such as necklaces and pendants.

The class taught by Paul Polinski, a gifted jeweler for over 30 years, introduces students to the soldering methods used in silversmithing that will result in creating a finished piece of jewelry that people can be proud to wear or give as a gift to family or friends.

Metalsmithing is taught by LaVerne Christanson who teaches basics of sawing, filing, sanding in preparing metals, and how to use a torch for strengthening and soldering to construct jewelry.

Lapidary is the art of cutting, shaping, and polishing stones. It’s taught and supervised by Greg Meyers, who has been interested in this for over 20 years. The resulting stones can be used for display or for jewelry. Classes are held twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. People can also drop by to get more information.

Copper enabling is the act of applying glass powder to copper and shaping it to create beautiful pieces that will pop with color and last forever.

Students say it’s not as difficult as it seems. LaVerne Christanson, who has been working in this genre for 20 years, teaches this class.

Bill Hayes, a very creative instructor for the past 40 years, teaches faceting, which is the cutting of sparkling gems done on faceting machines. People can work with sapphire, ruby, garnet, topaz, emerald, or other gemstones, except for diamonds.

People are invited to visit the club Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. President Dean Jacobus and club supervisors are happy to explain more about the club.

—Janice Friedland

A pair of fused glass earrings.

Janice Friedland