Classes

April-June Classes Open This Week: Get Your Member Guide By Cathy Niland | 2.5.2022

Spring is just around the corner and that means it’s almost time to register for classes running this April-June. This coming Tuesday, February 8, more than 160 classes will open for Crucible members, including lots of rare offerings. Whether you’re a new or returning student, there is something for everyone!

We’re very excited to introduce a handful of new classes in our Enameling, Ceramics, and Woodworking departments. We also have a number of popular and rare classes returning this spring! For the creative chef, you can up your breakfast game in Design and Make Your Own Waffle Iron, a class running this spring for the first time since 2019. Plus, Women’s Blacksmithing, Build A Skateboard, and Wind Chimes are all back—don’t miss these rare finds!

It’s not too late to become a Crucible member and access your exclusive benefits. Members get first dibs on access to April-June classes, plus 10% off class tuition, discounts on Crucible merch, invites to exclusive events, and more.

If you’re not a member, public registration will open the following Tuesday, February 15. Don’t miss your chance to take your dream class—become a Crucible member today and start cashing in on those exclusive perks.

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Crucible members get perks! Members get early access to class registration, 10% off class tuition and Crucible merch, invitations to exclusive events, unique member gifts, and more.

Become A MemberDepartment Highlight: Enameling With new offerings, returning rareties, and popular favorites now is the perfect time to explore the art of enameling!

New Enameling Classes NEW! Art Clay with Color Learn two new techniques in a single class! Learn to sculpt fine silver clay before kiln firing your work and adding color during vitreous enamels.

NEW! Enamel with Mesh, Wire, and Foil In this class, students will work with lightweight copper foil, mesh, and wire and add enamels to make dimensional objects. Learn the secrets of folding, bending, tabbing, sewing, and weaving to create texture, weight, and heft.

NEW! Miniature Paintings in Enamel In this weekend intensive class, you will learn to paint with vitreous enamel on a copper surface. Students will leave with two completed pieces that can stand on their own or be turned into jewelry.

NEW! Enamel Surfaces In this introduction to surface alterations, students will practice additive and subtractive enameling techniques both during and after the final firing. Students will make a square wall piece using four 2îx2î pieces.

PREREQUISITE: Enameling experience

EXPLORE THE ART OF ENAMELINGMore Brand-New Classes Across The Crucible’s 19 Departments Frames and Panels From picture frames to doors, weíll look at ways to join wood into frames. We will start with building a mitered-corner picture frame and then proceed to make a traditional mortise and tenon door with a floating raised panel.

PREREQUISITE: Woodworking I

Dovetail Drawers Dovetailed drawers have long been seen as a mark of craftsmanship as theyíre famously tricky to do well. This class will go over the complete construction of a drawer or box made from solid lumber, including half-blind dovetails at the front, full dovetails in back, and a bottom panel floating in a dado.

PREREQUISITE: Woodworking I

Wheel Throwing I Learn how to throw clay on a potter’s wheel! Students will learn the fundamentals of throwing, including wedging clay, centering, opening, pulling, and shaping a cylinder, bowl, and cup. Learn how to use hand tools to trim and add texture to your pieces, in addition to glaze applications and finishing techniques.

PREREQUISITE: Ceramics I

Register For Spring & Summer Youth Camps Your 8-18-year-old can get creative in the industrial arts this spring and summer. Youth camps are on sale now!

Spring Camps: April 4–15, 2022

Summer Camps: June 20–August 5, 2022

Shop 2022 Youth CampsDon’t Miss These Rare Offerings These classes only come around so often. Grab a seta before they fill up!

Design and Make Your Own Waffle Iron Each student will create a 7î diameter stovetop waffle iron with a waffle pattern of your own design. We will make sand molds and use a cupola furnace to melt the iron. At the spectacular iron pour event, students prepare iron and coke charges, operate the cupola, and pour molten iron into their new mold.

Stone Carving Learn to carve stone using traditional hand tools. With hammer and chisel you can enjoy the satisfaction of turning a raw piece of stone into a unique creation. All tools will be provided. During the first session, you will learn about selecting your stone and where to buy it. The Crucible may also have a small selection of stone for purchase, for approximately $35 per stone. Returning students are welcome.

Decorative Copper Cuff Using a six-inch by two-inch piece of copper, you will learn to anneal, hammer texture, stamp, and roll out texture. After the desired texture is achieved, you will use the Bonny Doon Press to form the shape of your cuff, then finish by adding more texture, polishing, or blackening.

Women’s Blacksmithing Learn blacksmithing taught by women, for women! This class covers the fundamentals needed to forge steel and understand blacksmithing tools. We will introduce tapering, upsetting, flattening, dishing, and bending of hot steel—all the same skills and techniques as in Blacksmithing I. You will make small projects, such as spoons, knives, forks, and hooks. This class is an inclusive, welcoming environment for women and gender-expansive individuals.

Build A Skateboard Build your very own custom skateboard from seven layers of hard maple veneer. Learn to shape a foam mold, the woodworking techniques, and the concepts of vacuum press veneering for bending wood. You will practice using basic woodworking power tools, including the band saw and power sanders, as well as hand tools, such as files, rasps, and planes. Apply a basic wood finish and set up your skateboard deck to ride.

Wind Chimes Create your own welded wind chime! Students will weld a metal rectangular wind chime box, plasma cut their unique design on the sides, and hang steel chain, hooks, and cut metal pieces to create a unique and eye-catching wind chime. Then all you need is wind for a gorgeous visual and tonal work of art.

Bundle Dyeing Learn the beautiful art of bundle dyeing with plants! In this class, you will gain an understanding of how to work with natural dyes as you explore the process of bundle dyeing. We will cover an introduction to natural dye plants and different types of fabric. We will work with natural dyestuffs including food scraps, fresh and dried flowers, eucalyptus, and more. You will learn how to bundle dye on silk and cotton, including how to prepare the fabric, place the dyestuffs, wrap the fabric, and steam the fabric on a stovetop. No prior experience necessary – beginners welcome.

Family Baubles and Bling Join The Crucible for some family fun while learning about jewelry making! In family groups, you will learn to make customized and engraved pendants by creating a collage pattern encased with plexiglass and copper. Then work together to create decorative polymer clay baubles that may be used as ornaments, window hangings, or accessories.

This workshop is specially designed for children ages 5-7 years old with accompanying adult(s). The cost is per person, for both children and adults.

Making Multiples: Slip Casting Ceramics Create ceramic multiples! Whether you are interested in making multiple vessels or sculptures, this class covers the basic moldmaking techniques. We will make molds from existing objects and cast clay multiples using clay slip. The clay castings will then be finished, kiln-fired, and glazed. Your personal objects are welcome and should be brought to the first class, and objects can be no larger than 5″ x 5″ x 5″.

Iron Casting In this course, you will complete a finished iron sculpture. You will explore mold construction and preparation while building your own sand mold with resin-bonded sand. Learn the steps required to prepare the cupola for an iron pour. At the spectacular iron pour event, students prepare iron and coke charges, operate the cupola, and pour molten iron into their new mold.

NOTE: This class has an additional Saturday session on May 7 from 10am-2pm.

FIND YOUR NEXT CLASSLevel Up Your Learning Continuing level classes are your opportunity to grow your skills in a department of your choosing.

Register todayAdventures in Soft Glass: Fabulous Fish-This intermediate-level class will have you sculpting fabulous solid and hollow-bodied fish. Emphasis will be on both structural and delightful decorative glass flameworking...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayCasting Organics and Found Objects-In this exciting course, you will expand your jewelry knowledge by making castings of unique items from organics, plastics, or styrofoam forms. Students will do two casting...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayDovetail Drawers-Dovetailed drawers have long been seen as a mark of craftsmanship as theyíre famously tricky to do well. This class will go over the complete construction of a drawer or box made...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayEnamel Surfaces-In this introduction to surface alterations, students will practice additive and subtractive enameling techniques both during and after the final firing. Additive techniques...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayEnameling II-Work with master enamel artist Judy Stone to further develop the skills learned in Enameling I, including torch firing, basic enamel painting, and working with precious metals and...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayFire Hula Hoop II-This class takes you beyond the hoop dance fundamentals and helps you add more complex hoop moves to your basic foundation. You will learn isolations, stalls, tosses, and how to...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayFire Poi II: Turns, Transitions, and Flow-Learn how to integrate movement with your poi spinning. After this class, your body and your poi will work together as one and you will know many new tricks. This course highlights...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayFoundry II: Ceramic Shell Process-This class is for people with metal casting experience who have completed waxes to cast. We can also accommodate 3-D printed PLA (best unpigmented). Students will prepare their...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayFrames and Panels-From picture frames to doors, weíll look at ways to join wood into frames. We will start with building a mitered-corner picture frame and then proceed to make a traditional mortise...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayLarge Ceramic Forms-Explore techniques for making larger ceramic forms that can survive the kiln! Make a ceramic sculpture or planter, while practicing handbuilding techniques like coiling and...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayLeather Working II-Apply and build upon basic leatherworking techniques to create a unique leather project of your own design and pattern. From selecting materials to developing a pattern, you will...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayJewelry and Metals II-Further develop your basic metalsmithing skills. We will teach disk cutting and doming, bezel setting, three types of rivets, and further design techniques. In addition to...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayBlacksmithing II-Deepen your knowledge in this sequel to Blacksmithing I. This class is designed to develop your basic skills along with techniques including scroll-making, collaring, basic...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayPower Hammer I-We will focus on power hammer techniques as we forge a set of basic hammer tools, side sets, and a round-back flatter. By the time these new tools are heat-treated, students will...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayRaku-Learn basic handbuilding techniques and play with a variety of raku decorating techniques. Raku firings, where ceramic pieces are taken out of the kiln glowing hot and placed in an...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayGlass Fusing and Slumping II-This class is a great way to continue your study of glass slumping and fusing. You will design and create your own slumping molds using different materials, such as clay, fiber,...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayNeon II-Building on skills developed in Neon I, this class emphasizes the decisions you make in creating a unique artwork using neon illumination. Classwork includes discussion of the...

Learn More & Sign Up → SHOP CLASSESBe the first to know when classes go live Don’t see the class you’re looking for? Fill out our Notify Me form and be the first to know when your dream class returns.

Notify Me When My Class Opens3-Hour Tasters Not ready to commit to a full class session? Try out one of our departments during a 3-Hour Taster class.

ARC Welding Blacksmithing Ceramic Mug Enameling Foundry Glass Flameworking Glass Fusing Jewelry Leather Machine Shop MIG Welding Wooden Box Shop Upcoming 3-Hour TastersMake Art Your Way In Crucible Labs Access The Crucible’s studios for your personal projects during an upcoming lab session. There is no dedicated instruction, but a lab technician will be available. All labs are continuing level classes and require a Crucible membership to register.

Register todayBlacksmithing Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayCeramics Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayJewelry Lab-Taking a lab is a great way to practice and perfect the skills you learn in class. In labs, you can work on class assignments or your own projects. Lab time is supervised, but does...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayMIG and TIG Welding Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayWoodworking Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayEnameling Lab-Enameling Lab sessions are the perfect opportunity to practice the skills you learn in class, meet other enameling students, purchase supplies at a huge discount, and explore new...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayMachine Shop Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit! Practice the skills you learned in class and explore new possibilities with your craft, or work on a personal project. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayNeon Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up →Register todayGlass Fusing and Slumping Lab-Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...

Learn More & Sign Up → See All Upcoming ClassesOur top priority is keeping everyone safe. Before you register, don’t forget to review our Health and Safety Guidelines, including mask and COVID vaccination requirements, sanitizing policies, and health checks upon arrival. {roof of completed COVID-19 vaccination is required for all students age 12 and up.

View Our Health and Safety GuidelinesKeep Reading Read MoreThe Society For Inclusive Blacksmiths Makes Crucible Scholarship PossibleThe Crucible is thrilled to announce the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths scholarship for access to our blacksmithing department and smithy. The scholarship will cover the full...

Read More →Read MoreThe Crucible Hot Shop Relaunches With A Greater Community FocusFor the first time since March 2020, our Glass Blowing department is hosting a series of short-form classes for local educators and community program affiliates. These...

Read More →Read MoreWelding Department Head Mark Metz Sends 750 Pound Sculpture On A Cross-Country JourneyIn Spring of 2021, The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County put out a national call to artists for the public art project—a call that found its way to our Welding Department...

Read More →Read MoreZeydi Gutierrez Joins The Crucible’s Board of DirectorsZeydi Gutierrez, prior strategic director of AB&I Foundry and longtime community member and supporter of East Oakland, has recently joined The Crucible Board of Directors. Zeydi...

Read More →Read MoreMcClymonds High School Students Show Up For Last In-Person Art Classes of 2021A few weeks back on Wednesday, December 8, 32 McClymonds High School students joined us for a series of 3-Hour Tasters—the final free classes for McClymonds students of the year....

Read More →Read MoreThe Crucible Partners With SFMade For The Open For Business ProgramThe Crucible is excited to announce that SFMade and The Crucible were just awarded $275,000 from Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund to support Bay Area entrepreneurship....

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