Jewelry Boot Camp

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An Exceptional Jewelry Making Experience

This year’s Jewelry Boot Camp features 13 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 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 JBC Showcase—special creations by our instructors, students, and volunteers. It’s a sparkling celebration of the Shake Rag Alley community!

Registration deadline is April 22.

Jewelry Boot Camp Instructors

Julie Lukosaitis

Glass art has unlocked a door for Artwork in any medium is born from a spark of intention like a dance fully emerging from thought, passing through hands, and eyes. Torch fired glass has been with me for over 24 years. It has taught me focus, given me happiness and failures, challenges and successes. Meticulously constructed, I use the torch to melt the glass layer upon layer, reading the heat and applying ancient techniques and skills. I strive to capture beauty within my glass art. Glass art has unlocked a door for me. In 2014, Beadazzled By Julz, LLC was born out of the desire to teach the ancient art of glass bead making skills and art jewelry. I’ve since expanded to include glass blowing and enameling.

What sets me apart as a creator and teacher is my 29 years of experience working in public education. I am grateful for the opportunities to foster creativity, make friends, and share my skills. My charitable donations include “Beads Of Courage”.

Instructor Website

Workshops

Making Glass Beads

Intermediate Glass Bead Making

Sarah Mann

The jewelry that Sarah Mann designs and handcrafts skillfully merges geometric and organic elements to create a style that is recognizably her own. She was introduced to metalsmithing at the University of Wisconsin in her hometown of Milwaukee. She furthered her interest under the expert guidance of Heikki Seppa at Washington Universty in St. Louis and at Fuji Studio in Florence, Italy. She then lived in New Orleans, where she worked amidst its thriving community of metalsmiths and honed her skills in preparation for a transition to New York City. The dynamism of the city inspired the strong form and kinetic elements in her pieces. She has since returned to her roots in the Midwest and continues her silversmithing here, creating bold yet elegant jewelry with unique surface treatments.

Sarah introduces a new line consisting of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings about every 10 months. She herself carefully crafts each and every piece and presents it as one of a limited edition.

Instructor Website

Workshops

Textured Band Rings

Textured Drop Earrings

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

Embossed Enameling

Fused Loop Earrings

Silver Stamped Band Rings

Silver Spinner Ring

Enamel Buffet

Cheryl Smeja

Cheryl Smeja is a Mineral Point leather artist, nationally known for her pioneering work in wet-formed leather sculpture. She has appeared on The Carol Duvall Show, taught at national leather conventions and has had articles published in The Leather Crafters and Saddlers journal. For over 25 years she sold her formed leather masks, wall hangings, jewelry, pots, and more at art fairs and from her Mineral Point gallery/shop. Now semi-retired, Cheryl enjoys pursuing other interests such as needle felting, wire jewelry, polymer clay, paper making, and Photoshop image manipulation. Cheryl serves on the Shake Rag Alley Curriculum Committee. A versatile artisan and dedicated teacher, Cheryl is ever ready for a new challenge.

Workshops

Wire Wrapped Cabochon Pendant

Copper Wire Pine Tree

Coiled and Twisted Copper Wire Cuffs

Luann Smith

Luann Smith began making jewelry to help with school expenses while studying figure painting and illustration at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. After moving to Madison, she worked as a freelance illustrator, portrait painter, and taught watercolor for the UW Extension. Years of painting realistically has morphed into more sculptural work, which incorporates vintage and found objects into her jewelry, mosaic water pieces, and bird sculptures.…Read More

Years of painting realistically has morphed into more sculptural work, which incorporates vintage and found objects into her jewelry, mosaic water pieces, and bird sculptures. Luann’s jewelry can be found at River Arts on Water Gallery in Prairie Du Sac, and Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point.

Instructor Website

Workshops

Micro-Mosaic Pendants – May

Micro-Mosaic Pendants – September

Mosaic Sampler

Mosaic Birdie

Sherry Viktora

Sherry Viktora is a senior instructor in silver metal clay. 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 Silver Metal Clay

Fine Silver Rings in a Day – May

Fine Silver Rings in a Day – August

Fine Silver Leaves from the Garden

Fine Silver Birdhouse/Fairy House Pendant

Fine Silver 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. Katie moved to Mineral Point in June 2017 and worked as studio assistant at Bruce Howdle Studio. She continues to create her pottery and sculpture at the Globe Clay Center and wood fires in the Mineral Point area.

Instructor Website

Workshops

Learn to Use a Pottery Wheel

Broken China Pendants – AM

Broken China Pendants – PM

Denise Anton Wright

Denise Anton Wright has made three really good decisions in her life: becoming a librarian, marrying her husband, and dabbling in jewelry-making. Since retiring from Library Land in 2015, Denise spends her days creating, taking care of two high-maintenance cats, and watching lots of classic old movies while working on jewelry projects. Her growth as an artist and creator has been helped immeasurably by the wonderful classes that she’s taken at Shake Rag Alley (a big shout-out to Lorraine Reynolds).…Read More

Instructor Website

Workshops

Messy Memory Wire Bracelet

A Jewelry Making Retreat

May 2 - May 5, 2024

Explore a new art form, or grow your skills with new techniques! Beginners and experienced students alike can choose from a variety of classes with a range of styles from funky to fine. Use this weekend to explore new materials, be inspired anew, and network with other jewelers. You’ll leave with new ideas and something stunning. Come for the weekend and enjoy our gem of a town.