Embossing a Valentine

Heather White is a contemporary jewelry artist, professor, Fulbright Scholar, lecturer, and curator based in Boston where she is Professor of Art at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her recent work is smithed in silver and gold and plays with the locket, a familiar and historical jewelry format. She received a B.F.A. from RISD and an M.F.A. from SUNY, the College at New Paltz, NY. Her pieces are represented in the permanent collections including the Museum of Art and Design in New York City, the Museum of Fine Arts, in Boston, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. White resides in Boston with her partner, two remarkable children, and their dog.

Join us for a creative and fun beginner-level workshop where you’ll learn to transform copper and brass into a personalized set of pins! Whether you're flying solo, bringing a friend, or sharing the experience with your significant other, this class is perfect for anyone who loves hands-on creativity.

In this four-hour session, you’ll master key metalworking techniques, including:

• Torch Annealing: Soften metal for easy shaping.
• Rolling Mill Embossing: Impress textures or wire-line drawings into copper and brass.
• Jeweler’s Saw Techniques: Learn precision sawing for custom shapes.
• Filing and Sanding: Perfect your pieces for a smooth finish.
• Patination: Add color and depth to your design.
• Soldering Tie Tacs: Securely attach findings to your pins.
• Wax Sealant Application: Protect your work with a professional touch.

By the end of the workshop, you'll take home a matching set of unique pins—perfect as keepsakes, gifts, or wearable art. The instructor supplies all materials, and no prior experience is necessary. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get creative!

The materials fee for this class is $40. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in cash or through Venmo.

Students will learn the following skills in order:

• Annealing

• Embossing with the rolling mill

• Sawing

• Filing

• Sanding

• Patination (coloration of metal)

• soldering tie tacs

• Sealing with Renaissance wax

Students will create at least two wearable pins!

20g copper sheet 2 x 3 inches two pieces each, 20g brass sheet 2 x 3 inches two pieces each, stencils for embossing, natural elements for embossing, saw blades, silver solder, tie tacs, and smooth clutches.

safety glasses

pencil and paper

closed-toe shoes

natural fiber clothing

Students must be 15 years old or older. All students under 18 must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.

Students must be strong enough to open a new jar of peanut butter unassisted.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 2 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artisan's Asylum, 96 Holton Street, Boston, United States