Tiny Stones, Big Sparkle: Easy Flush & Tube-Setting Jewelry Workshop
SEPTEMBER 13 & 14
Regular price $462.00TOTAL COST: $462
Course Fee: $342
Non-refundable materials fee: $120 (See supply information below)
DATES: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025
TIME: 10:00AM – 4:00PM PDT
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced; soldering experience helpful but not required
AGE GROUP: Adult (18+), Youth (ages 16-17)
LOCATION: Building 324A, Fort Worden, Port Townsend.
DESCRIPTION
Add a flash of brilliance to your jewelry with the power of precision stone setting! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of both flush setting and tube setting—two essential techniques for securely setting small, round, faceted stones with a sleek, professional finish.
Led by metalsmith and educator Kristin Mitsu Shiga, the class kicks off with the creation of custom tools tailored to these specific setting styles. We’ll practice with sterling silver and cubic zirconia, but the skills you gain are perfect for setting a range of hard, round faceted stones, including diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, in gold and silver. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned makers, this workshop also covers practical studio tips, including production stone-setting tips, clever work-holding solutions and proper use of rubberized abrasives. Expect a fun, fast-paced, info-packed weekend that will elevate your jewelry with clean, modern sparkle.
Beginning Metals Fabrication skills (sawing, filing, soldering) are helpful, but not required.
SUPPLY INFORMATION
All required materials and tools are provided, and students will leave the workshop with everything in their supply kit.
Supply kit contents:
Hardwood tool handle with collets
Bezel pusher
Custom rotary finishing kit for small steel tools (includes a selection of 6 rubberized abrasives, cutting/grinding and polishing wheels with mandrels
Steel polishing compound (1/4 lb.)
Foredom dressing stone
Ball bur
Setting bur
Uniform shank drill
(10) Round Cubic Zirconia (for practice setting)
Sterling silver Flush-Set Stud Earring Kit
Sterling silver sizing stock (5mm x 2mm and 2.5mm x 1.5mm)
Sterling silver heavy-wall tubing
Sticky wax
Handouts (3)
The fee also covers the following in-class use of a silver wire solder.
We will be practicing the techniques with cubic zirconia (included in materials fee). A limited number of diamonds will be available for purchase from the instructor during class time if desired.
COURSE DETAILS
After registration, course details are available via the Northwind Art School learning portal. Learn more
ABOUT KRISTIN
Kristin Mitsu Shiga is a hapa metalsmith, enamelist and educator and former proprietor of 'Okina Jewelry, a bespoke jewelry gallery and studio on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Her work centers around one-of-a-kind wearable art and hollowware that marry her Japanese heritage with influences from architecture and the Modernist design movement. Kristin has been making in metal using sustainable materials and processes since 1991, and teaching around the world since 1995.
From a long line of educators, Kristin is passionate about teaching and has had the opportunity to share with students at venues all over the United States including at the Penland, Arrowmont and Haystack Mountain schools of craft. Her proudest achievements have been establishing nonprofit metalsmithing studios and programs that continue to thrive today in New York (OCM BOCES), Oregon (Multnomah Arts Center), and Hawai'i (Donkey Mill Arts Center).
Kristin believes that service is a crucial component of any career and has served in a variety of volunteer roles and on numerous nonprofit boards since 2001. She currently serves on the Board of the Hawai'i & Frogwood artist collaboratives, and is in her second term as secretary of the American Craft Council (ACC) Board of Directors.Kristin has shown her work internationally, and is included in several notable collections including the Kamm Artful Teapot Collection and the Permanent Collection at the White House. You will find her work published in numerous books and magazines, including Art Jewelry Today, The Art of Enameling, Metalsmith’s 2017 Exhibition in Print, and several of Lark’s 500 Series books.
Artist website: Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Instagram: @metal_babe
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DISCOUNTS
This course is eligible for a 10% member discount at the Supporter level and beyond. Get a membership today!
Don's Pharmacy and Art Toolkit in Port Townsend offer Northwind Art School students a 10% discount on art supplies.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
If Northwind Art has to cancel a course for any reason, all enrolled students will receive a 100% refund (including any materials fee).
Students who withdraw from a course at least seven days prior to its first meeting will receive a 90% refund (less any materials fee).
Students withdrawing fewer than seven days from the first day of class are not eligible for a refund except in the case of illness or injury, in which case they are eligible to receive a 40% refund (less any materials fee).
Please note that 10% of every course registration fee is considered to be a non-refundable deposit in cases of withdrawal to cover administrative overhead. All refunds will be applied to the same credit card that was used for enrollment. No credits or transfers will be granted.
Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.