February 1st: Little Weirdos with Alex Boyd
February 1st: Little Weirdos with Alex Boyd
This class is all about making bezels for funky shaped cabochons. We’re talking about asymmetry, angles and curves. Alex cuts each stone carefully so that it requires only the tiniest bit of bezel to adequately secure the stone. This lets us use 22k karat gold bezels without having to get a second mortgage. Alex will show how to find the balancing points on these little weirdos so that when we connect the bail the pendant will hang just right.
When: February 1st, 2026: 9am-5pm with 1 hour lunch break
Where: Potter USA, 1949 E Eastland St, Tucson, AZ 85719
Potter USA is equipped with the essentials like benches, soldering equipment, hammers, bench pins, etc. Bringing your own, favorite hand tools for specific classes is encouraged but not required. See project specific tool list below: if you have the items on the list, it’s handy to have your own but the instructors will have multiples for you to borrow as well.
Materials Kit: $140-200 depending on stones and gold prices
Funky cabochon
16 gauge (1.2mm) sterling silver sheet (large enough for bezel backplate)
20 gauge (.8mm) sterling silver sheet 8mm x 32mm)
26 gauge 22k gold bezel 1.5mm tall (length determined by cabochon)
Hard silver solder
Project Tool List:
studio will have these to share
The Fine Print: Workshop registration fees are refundable through January 1st, 2026. Please reach out directly to Alex at alex@alexboydstudio.com to cancel and request a refund. Refunds after January 1st will be issued if your spot can be filled on a case by case basis.
Emerging Artist Scholarship Application: for metalsmiths 25 years of age or under
In an effort to make it easier for younger artists to improve their craft, accepted applicants will receive free registration for one class and a free materials kit. (If you are 25 or under at time of application you’re good to go!)