Jewelry Boot Camp

An Exceptional Jewelry Making Experience

This year’s Jewelry Boot Camp features 11 jewelry workshops taught by a diverse group of dynamic artists all in town at the same time. This lovely weekend of workshops is just in time to prepare you for Mother’s Day. Plan to treat the special women in your life with a handmade gift you create, or join us for the Saturday Vendor Night — a showcase of jewelry creations by our instructors, students, and volunteers. It’s a sparkling celebration of the Shake Rag Alley community!

Jewelry Boot Camp Instructors

Deborah Donaghue

Deb Donaghue

Deb Donaghue took her first metal class in her early 20s. Study and research took her and her husband, Jeff, to India. While her intention was to continue working with metal, when she returned, life, jobs, a child, and then their own business intervened. Deb and Jeff moved to Mineral Point from the Twin Cities in 1996 and opened The Brewery Creek Inn and Brewpub in 1998. In 2007 her daughter introduced her to chain maille and from there her long-buried interest in working with metal grew. Deb continues her studies independently as well as weekly at Madison Area Technical College. She has jewelry for sale at Longbranch Gallery here in Mineral Point and teaches several basic metalworking classes each year at Shake Rag Alley.

Workshops

Tube Set Stones

Fabulous Fibulas

Riveting

Ali Kauss

For over 20 years, Ali Kauss has been creating pieces of jewelry with precious metals, like sterling silver and gold, that speak to the essence of an individual’s journey. Finding the metalsmithing studio on campus all those years ago felt like coming home because it was a way for Ali to connect with and communicate about her true soul’s purpose, which is to support others on their spiritual path.…Read More

Ali’s transformational adornments begin with Ali listening to her client’s intention, whether that client is going through a challenging time and needs a token of her inner strength, celebrating a life event and wants to create a modern heirloom, or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind statement of who she truly is. Each piece of jewelry is handcrafted using Ali’s unique creative process, one that involves traditional tools and techniques and her intuition. The result is a beautiful, customized, and powerful symbol of empowerment and encouragement to express individuality and claim self worth.

Instructor Website

Workshops

Power Pendant & Chain Making

Julie Lukosaitis

Julie Lukosaitis has been making glass beads for many years, and has been a glass flameworking instructor for almost 20 years. She is the owner of Beadazzled By Julz, and travels with her glass art studio around Wisconsin. She has many years of experience working in public education and teaching to different learning intelligences. She believes the best reward for a teacher is seeing the joy her students feel with their own creativity and building on their skills.…Read More

Instructor Website

Workshops

Making Glass Beads

Making Art Jewelry with Glass Beads

Batiked Copper and Glass Enameled Necklace

Leslie Perrino

Leslie Perrino is an artist and “art evangelist” who loves to share the power of art and creativity with people, particularly in her beloved areas of metals and enameling. Her artwork is a quirky mix of traditional and found objects, most recently combining computer/electrical components with enamels. She is a charismatic and effective teacher who encourages skill building and exploration of the medium.…Read More

Workshops

Simple Fold Form Jewelry

Embossed Enameling

The Beautiful Basics of Bezels

Stamped Band Rings

Fused Loop Earrings

Sherry Viktora

Sherry Viktora is a senior instructor in precious metal clay for PMC Connection. She brings a love of nature and gardening to her art and an enthusiasm for sharing to her teaching. She combines metal clay with glass and organic materials to create unique work. After receiving PMCC Certifications and Art Clay Instructor Certification, Sherry retired to become a full-time senior instructor.…Read More

Workshops

Intro to Precious Metal Clay

Fine Silver Rings in a Day – May

Fine Silver and Dichroic Glass Pendant

Fine Silver Leaves from the Garden

Fine Silver Rings in a Day – August

Link Bracelet

Katie White

Katie White grew up on a farm in Stockton, IL. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2012 with a BFA degree in Ceramics. She has participated in ceramic residencies throughout the country including The Cub Creek Foundation in Appomattox, VA, Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT, as well as at Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. White moved to Mineral Point in June of 2017 where she worked as studio assistant at Bruce Howdle Studio. She continues to create her pottery and sculpture in the Sardeson Pottery Studio and wood-fires in the Mineral Point area.

Instructor Website

Workshops

Broken China Pendants – AM

Broken China Pendants – PM

Ceramic Flower Planters

A Jewelry Making Retreat

April 29-May 1, 2022

Explore jewelry making methods!

Beginners and experienced students alike can choose from a variety of classes offering a range of techniques and styles from funky to fine. Use this weekend to explore different approaches, learn new skills, network with other jewelers, and leave with a lot of new ideas and jewelry. Come for the weekend, enjoy our gem of a town, and take several classes!