Participants will learn the traditional technique of hand-knotting pearls to create a classic, durable necklace. The workshop begins with a brief introduction to pearls—their origins, material qualities, and long relationship with jewelry—along with a look at the enduring history of the pearl necklace across cultures and centuries. From there, participants are guided through the technical foundations, including how to select pearls or beads, choose appropriate thread, tools, and clasps, and consider factors such as proportion, weight, and durability. After a step-by-step demonstration of the knotting process, participants will begin creating their own necklace. 

During this one-day workshop, each participant will make two necklaces: 

• A hand-knotted pearl necklace with a classic clasp, using the traditional technique of knotting between each pearl. 

• An endless knotted bead necklace constructed without a visible beginning or end. 

Each participant leaves with one freshwater pearl necklace, one endless knotted bead necklace, and a printed zine with step-by-step instructions. 

REGISTRATION FORM*

*Pearl Knotting is currently accepting waitlist registrations. If a previous registration is unpaid/cancelled, the next waitlist registration will receive an invoice.

Instructors: Iris Eichenberg, Head of Metalsmithing and Artist-in-Residence; and Jimena Rios, Artist and Director of Taller Eloi, Escuela de joyería (Jewelry School). 

Instructor Language: English/Spanish 

Skill Level: This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students, age 18+. 

Max. participants: 10 

Location: Metalsmithing department of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the New Studios Building. Parking: Cranbrook Art Museum Parking Lot. 

Schedule: Wednesday, July 22, from 2–7pm 

Food/Beverage: Snacks provided. The Academy also has water bottle refill stations and vending machines near the Metalsmithing department. 

Cost: $300.00 USD* Materials included  

 *If the workshop does not meet the minimum number of participants, it will be canceled, and any purchases will be fully refunded. 

This two-day workshop introduces participants to the art and meaning of the ring while building foundational jewelry-making skills. Beginning with a simple textured silver band, participants will learn essential techniques and explore the cultural and symbolic history of rings across time. Students will then design and fabricate their own unique ring, experimenting with surface finishes and personal expression. By the end of the workshop, each participant will leave with two handcrafted silver rings and a workshop zine filled with techniques and practical tips. 

Day 1 

• Explore the symbolic and social meanings attached to rings and how contemporary artists reinterpret them. 

• Learn about the cultural, symbolic, and formal evolution of the ring, from ancient civilizations to modern design movements. 

• Study foundational jewelry techniques while creating a silver ring, beginning with sketching and sizing. 

• Translate the design into silver sheet and practice sawing, filing, sanding, and polishing to complete a textured band. 

Day 2 

• Design and fabricate your own ring using the techniques learned on Day 1. 

• Explore different surface finishes, including polished, matte, and sandblasted. 

• Develop a step-by-step fabrication process to bring your design to life. 

• Take home two silver rings and a workshop zine with techniques and practical tips. 

REGISTRATION FORM

Instructors: Iris Eichenberg, Head of Metalsmithing and Artist-in-Residence; and Jimena Rios, Artist, and Director of Taller Eloi, Escuela de joyería (Jewelry School).

Instructor Language: English/Spanish 

Skill Level: This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students, age 18+. 

Max. participants: 7 

Location: Metalsmithing department of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the New Studios Building. 

Parking: Cranbrook Art Museum Parking Lot. 

Dates: Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24, 2026 

Time: 10am–2pm each day 

Food/Beverage: Snacks provided. The Academy also has water bottle refill stations and vending machines near the Metalsmithing department. 

Cost: $600.00 USD total, for both days* Materials included  

*If the workshop does not meet the minimum number of participants, it will be canceled, and any purchases will be fully refunded. 

This two-day workshop explores the history and meaning of portable amulets while introducing participants to key jewelry-making techniques. Beginning with a look at symbolic objects worn for protection, identity, and personal expression across cultures, participants will create a series of handmade charms using metalworking processes such as forming, stamping, and texturing. On the second day, those charms will be incorporated into a finished bracelet through chain fabrication and assembly. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a handcrafted brass charm bracelet and a workshop zine filled with techniques and practical tips. 

Day 1 

• Explore the evolution of the charm bracelet in both mass-market and contemporary jewelry. 

• Visual talk on the history of portable amulets and their cross-cultural significance. 

• Learn foundational techniques including hydraulic press forming, metal sawing and filing, and stamping and surface texturing. 

• Create five handmade charms ready to be incorporated into a bracelet. 

Day 2 

• Construct a bracelet through chain fabrication and clasp making. 

• Learn step-by-step chain construction and finishing techniques. 

• Assemble, solder, and finish the bracelet with your handmade charms. 

• Take home a brass bracelet with five charms and a workshop zine with techniques and pro tips. 

• There is an option to create a beaded bracelet alternative. 

REGISTRATION FORM

Instructors: Iris Eichenberg, Head of Metalsmithing and Artist-in-Residence; and Jimena Rios, Artist, and Director of Taller Eloi, Escuela de joyería (Jewelry School). 

Instructor Language: English/Spanish 

 Skill Level: This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students, age 18+. 

Max. participants: 7 

 Location: Metalsmithing department of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the New Studios Building. 

Parking: Cranbrook Art Museum Parking Lot. 

 Dates: Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 2026 

 Time: 10am–3pm each day 

 Food/Beverage: Snacks provided. The Academy also has water bottle refill stations and vending machines near the Metalsmithing department. 

 Cost: $600.00 USD total, for both days*  Materials included  

*If the workshop does not meet the minimum number of participants, it will be canceled, and any purchases will be fully refunded. 

This three-day workshop introduces participants to the process of transforming flat metal into forms that can open, close, or move. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, students will build foundational metalsmithing skills while creating a small wearable object with a simple moving mechanism. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a finished locket or pendant featuring a hinged or riveted mechanism. 

In this workshop, you will: 

• Shape sheet metal into dimensional forms. 

• Cut and refine edges using basic metalsmithing tools. 

• Create simple rivets or hinges that allow movement. 

• Practice introductory soldering techniques. 

• Complete finishing and assembly to create a wearable piece. 

REGISTRATION FORM

Instructor: Current Cranbrook Academy of Art Graduate student Megan Kerr, who approaches jewelry with a strong technical focus and a commitment to clear, practical skill-building. In addition to her studies at Cranbrook, she holds a BFA in Metal from SUNY New Paltz. 

Instructor Language: English 

Skill Level: This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students, age 18+.

Max. participants: 7 

 Location: Metalsmithing department of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the New Studios Building. 

Parking: Cranbrook Art Museum Parking Lot. 

 Dates: Wednesday, August 12, Thursday, August 13, Friday, August 14 

 Time: 10am–3pm each day 

 Food/Beverage: Snacks provided. The Academy also has water bottle refill stations and vending machines near the Metalsmithing department. 

 Cost: $800.00 USD* Materials included  

 *If the workshop does not meet the minimum number of participants, it will be canceled, and any purchases will be fully refunded. 

This two-day workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of chain making, exploring how repeating handmade links create both structure and visual rhythm. Through demonstrations and guided practice, students will learn essential metalsmithing techniques while constructing a functional chain that can be worn or used as an accessory. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a completed chain that can be worn as a necklace or bracelet, or used as a keychain. 

 In this workshop, you will: 

• Form consistent jump rings from metal wire. 

• Saw and cut rings for clean, precise links. 

• Solder jump rings closed to create a continuous chain. 

• Experiment with surface textures and finishes. 

• Fabricate a simple functional closure. 

REGISTRATION FORM

Instructor: Pavonis Giron, who earned a BFA in Metalsmithing and Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, works closely with material and structure and aims to create an open, supportive environment for sharing process and experimentation. 

Instructor Language: English/Spanish 

 Skill Level: This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students, age 18+. 

Max. participants: 7 

 Location: Metalsmithing department of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the New Studios Building. 

Parking: Cranbrook Art Museum Parking Lot. 

 Dates: Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24, 2026 

 Time: 10am–2pm each day 

 Food/Beverage: Snacks provided. The Academy also has water bottle refill stations and vending machines near the Metalsmithing department. 

 Cost: $600.00 USD total, for both days* Materials included  

 *If the workshop does not meet the minimum number of participants, it will be canceled, and any purchases will be fully refunded.