Sun Lakes Rock Gem & Silver Club

Classes & Open Shops
Comprehensive facilities in Sun Lakes I, Cottonwood and Oakwood are designated for classes and open shops. Classes in the main subject areas are offered throughout Fall, Winter and Spring. Selected classes are also offered in the summer. Click here to move to the class descriptions. Thank you to all the instructors and monitors for volunteering their talents and time!

Betsy Bogner is our Class Coordinator. Lynn Vraspir, Club President can be reached at 802-8548.

Schedule - April - August 2010

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Oakwood 9:00 - 12:00	OPEN SHOP Lapidary J. Lovell				CLASS Silver I&II Jewelry Design J. Harrill	OPEN SHOP Dichroic Glass S. Nelson/S. Mason/F. Nicholas
1:00 - 4:00	OPEN SHOP Silver H. Huss		OPEN SHOP Silver/ /Dichroic Closed 1st 2 weeks of July ?/L. Vraspir	OPEN SHOP Lapidary M.Stegina
6:00 - 9:00	OPEN SHOP Gourds 4:30 - 7:30 pm L. Vraspir/ B. Crossland			OPEN SHOP Gourds L. Vraspir/ B. Crossland
Oakwood Painting & Framing Room 9:00 - 12:00
Cottonwood 9:00 - 12:00
1:00 - 4:00	OPEN SHOP Silver/Lost Wax starts in May T. Hall/J.Harrill	OPEN SHOP Silver/Lost Wax/ PMC H. Hall/D. Hall	OPEN SHOP Lost Wax G. Gazey	OPEN SHOP Silver/Lost Wax/ PMC R. List/H. Hall/ T. Hall	OPEN SHOP Lapidary Closed June & Aug R. Martin
4:00 - 6:00
Cottonwood Room A-8 1:00 - 4:00
Sun Lakes I 9:00 - 12:00	OPEN SHOP Silver R. Sanderville				CLASS Lapidary I J. Lovell	CLASS Lapidary I J. Lovell
1:00 - 4:00
6:00 - 9:00

Class Descriptions
Lapidary is the search for hidden beauty in nature’s rocks. Cutting, shaping and polishing these rocks magnify their beauty to gem quality. The initial course is six weeks, enough time to finish four cabochons that can be used in silver or wire-wrap classes. Other classes offered including polishing opals, bookends, clocks, fetish bears, faceting, ming trees, sandstone paintings, dichroic glass and the study of rocks.

In Silver, class members learn how to cut, shape and construct sterling silver jewelry. Silver classes include: woven and jump ring bracelets, as well as necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, bolos and other creative projects. Through molding Precious Metal Clay and baking it in a kiln, students make creative silver jewelry.

Lost wax is a modern version of Native American sand casting. A wax mold in the desired design is placed in a container filled
with a plaster-of-paris type mixture. The wax is melted out in a kiln to create a cavity (hence, the term “lost wax”). This cavity is then filled with molten silver or gold. Pendants, earrings and many other items can be made in this six-week class.

Stained glass students learn to use the copper foil method of building a stained glass project to be used as a window hanging. They learn about the various glasses used in stained glass as well as the steps necessary to complete a project. After completing the six-week class, members can attend open shops to make additional stained glass pieces including mosaics and bevels.

Dichroic glass is a specialized glass that can be cut and pieced together then fused in a kiln. In the beginner class, students learn to make pendants and bracelets. Those continuing on will make small decorative dishes and a wine bottle cheese tray.

Study of Rocks . Come and learn about Geology of our state, country and the world. See the extensive collection and learn through hands on touching and feeling of all the various types of rocks. Many of our samples are of Museum quality. No homework, just an enjoyable learning experience, taught by one of the club's best teachers. A reference book is furnished for to you. If YOU have not taken this class you should, don't miss it!!!

Open Shops

Don't forget to buy your Open Shop stamp after completing a class. Your stamp entitles you to work in any of the shops on your own during designated open shop times.

Class Registration

Join us for our club meetings at 10:30 am on the 3rd Monday of every month (October through April) at the Sun Lakes I Clubhouse. Coffee and cookies are served at 10 am before each meeting.

There are sign up sheets available at the meetings for all classes.
There are also often examples of the work done in the class. When signing up, please note if you are only available during certain months.

After you have signed up, the
instructor for your class will call you when there is space available for you to take the class.

Class size is limited and filled on a 1st sign up, 1st called basis. Be patient, some classes are in high demand.

If you cannot make the monthly meeting, please call the instructor and provide your name, phone and the class that interests you.

There is a small fee for each class to cover club and class expenses. Please bring a check to your first class to pay the fee.