On February 19th and 20th, only 3 weeks after I underwent total hip replacement surgery, I taught a stone setting class at Danaca Design Studio in the University District of Seattle. The focus of the class was making "heads" for oval and cushion cut gemstones. A "head" is the finding with prongs that holds a gemstone. Sometimes these are also called "crowns." I wanted to show how to make a basket style head and a slot-in-slot style head for oval and cushion cut stones. I selected these two cuts of gemstones since it is very difficult to find pre-made heads for these two cuts. It was so much fun to show up for class to find so many students who I have not seen since last year!  I was able to find some great large (12mm X 18mm) faceted glass Ovals and Cushions to practice on. Zuzanna also brought some really creative slot-in-slot ring settings for large, faceted, rutilated, quartz gemstones.

Here is Zuzanna, Erin, and Josette looking pretty for the teacher.

And here is Missa working hard on the slot-in-slot style head. And wouldn't you know it just as I was going to start shooting pictures of the "heads" we were making in class the battery in my camera went dead! Arggg! It was a wonderful class and I want to thank all the students for being so kind to me as I hobbled around with my cane.
What is really great is that Mendocino Craft Center in California has booked me to teach this class for them along with my Cold Connection for Faceted Stone Setting on August 1st through the 8th, 2011. Plus, due to student request Dana at Danaca Design Studio has asked me to teach a Jewelry Repair/gold use/Custom Order Pricing class and a Jewelry Rendering one-day on July 22, 23, and 24, 2011. More info to come soon!