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The Art of Connection: Cold Connections & Strung Treasures with Kate & Janice
$595.00 USD
Two full days of creating and designing with Kate and Janice!
This is our Second Annual Metals Retreat, but with a twist! On Friday, we’ll create unique riveted charms and components, and on Saturday, we’ll bring those handmade treasures together in a special vintage-inspired multi-strand necklace.
Friday, April 2 | 10 AM–6 PM Cold Connections with Kate
Kate will share her wealth of knowledge and expertise on riveting and cold connections. Once you learn to rivet, you’ll be able to apply this versatile technique to all kinds of jewelry projects. It’s perfect for beginning metalworkers, or anytime you want to connect metal without soldering. That’s why it’s called a Cold Connection! Students will learn to create nailhead, ball, and tube rivets, along with techniques for texturing, stamping, and antiquing metal. Using found objects, metal blanks, and components provided in the class kit*, students will create their own personal collection of riveted pieces to use in Saturday’s necklace project. Shared use of some specialized tools is included during class.
*Riveting Class Materials Kit: $40. This kit fee is payable to the instructor at the retreat and not included in the retreat price.
- Copper tube and sheet
- Metal blanks
- Premade rivets
- Wire for creating rivets from scratch
- Flush wire cutters
- Bench block or anvil
- Chasing Hammer or Riveting Hammer
- Jeweler’s saw
- 2/0 saw blades
- Tube holder or cutting vise
Saturday, April 3 | 10 AM–6 PM Vintage Stringing with Janice & Kate
On Saturday, Janice and Kate will guide students in creating a multi-strand necklace inspired by classic jewelry designs of the 1930's and 40's. We’ll take inspiration from the wonderfully layered style of Miriam Haskell, exploring how to drape and graduate beads using bead bars, spacer beads, chain, and a multi-strand clasp. The clasp and bead bars created during Friday’s class will become part of the finished necklace, bringing the entire weekend together in one personal, vintage-inspired design. Students are also encouraged to bring charms, baubles, beads, and little treasures from home to incorporate into their necklace.Vintage Stringing Class Materials Kit: $40. This kit fee is payable to the instructor at the retreat and not included in the retreat price.
The kit will include:
- Beads
- Bead caps
- Chain
- Stringing materials
- Additional components needed to complete the necklace
Retreat Dates:
Friday & Saturday, April 2–3, 2027, 10 AM–6 PM each day
Optional Sunday Excursion, Sunday, April 4 | 10 AM–2 PM**
** We'll visit Kate’s Fresno studio in the morning, then enjoy a casual afternoon of local shopping ending with lunch. Think vintage treasures, fabric finds, and a little creative inspiration along the way!
Retreat Location: Clovis American Legion Hall
508 4th St
Clovis, CA 93612
What Is Included in the Workshop Fee:
- Two very full days of instruction with Kate and Janice
- Both Friday and Saturday classes
- Shared use of classroom tools and torches
- Lunch and snacks on Friday and Saturday
- Creative camaraderie and new friendships!
What Is Not Included:
- Lodging
- Breakfast and dinner on Friday and Saturday
- Transportation
- Individual class kits
Nearby hotel recommendations will be available. We’ll break after class each evening, with plenty of great restaurants nearby for dinner.
About Old Town Clovis:
Our retreat home base is surrounded by charming boutiques, vintage shops, and fantastic restaurants, making it perfect for unwinding after class or exploring with new bead buddies. Come ready to create, connect, and get your hands on some metal and beads! Whether it’s your first time at the bench or you’re returning to your tools, this weekend will leave you inspired, refreshed, and full of new skills.
Refund & Travel Insurance Policy
We would love to have you join us for this special weekend. Unfortunately, workshop fees are non-refundable, so please check the dates and your availability carefully before reserving your space. We understand that unavoidable emergencies can happen. If the retreat is sold out, we will maintain a waiting list. If you have registered and are unable to attend, we will invite the next student on the list to register. If that student completes their registration and payment, you will receive a refund minus a $125 administrative fee.
Please note: Finding someone to take your place is not guaranteed. The only guaranteed way to receive reimbursement in the event of an emergency or unexpected cancellation is to purchase appropriate travel insurance. We strongly recommend considering a “cancel for any reason” policy. Policies and coverage levels have changed significantly in recent years, so please read all insurance policies carefully and choose the coverage that best fits your individual needs.
Travel insurance is highly recommended. We recommend Aardy.com for comparing travel insurance options.
Sorry, but no workshop cancellations will be accepted after March 2, 2027. Kit fees are non-refundable. Coupon codes, VIB Rewards, and other discounts cannot be applied to workshop reservations or kit fees.
Sold in a quantity of one workshop reservation. Class kit fees are not included in the workshop price.