metal + glass workshops & courses in Toronto
Super exciting news! Pop on over to the studio tomorrow evening Monday, May 7th between 7pm – 8pm Sonatona gemstones will be in da Haus! Sonatona is bringing along a wide selection of cabochon cut stones for you to drool over.
Everyone is welcome! Students and non-nano students. Cash or credit accepted. 
Metal-smithing use to be considered a trade. More than constructing luxe, designer jewellery working with metal; sawing, piercing, forming, soldering, carving, teaches skills to build shit that could save your life- in the event the zombie apocalypse actually happens. Clasps, knives, buckles, swords, chains, containers, armour. Fix things. Use hammers. Know how to use a torch a join two pieces of metal.
For real, I am not joking here.
Also, GLASS. Vitreous enamel coats metal. Take your bathtub. Or a Butcher’s tray- vitreous enamel fused onto metal. Often steel. In my course you use copper and/or silver. Lost wax casting into metal or glass. Rivets- rivets are used to generally hold materials together that cannot take heat (metal and plexiglas, for instance). They can of course be decorative, too.
So, if the world turns Mad Max or into a messed up version of Rick Grimes and the Saviours- you can be prepared to upcycle metal and/or glass into usable, functional items. Save the world.
METAL + GLASS 4wk: Monday & Wednesday evenings – Learn basic Goldsmithing. 6:30-9:30pm Monday, February 5th $285pp (deposit of $142.50 to reserve seat)
evening #1: First evening: working with copper: safety, drilling, sawing. Adding textures.
evening #2: Making a band ring out of silver (stamp, hammer finish, roller print, etc.)
evening #3: Working with wax create pieces w/the lost wax technique- to be cast in Sterling silver or bronze.
evening #4: Finishing wax projects, invest models for casting in Glass and Metal (separately) Waxes for metal casting are weighed and calculated (sterling runs $2.50/grm unless lab fee has been purchased).
evening #5: Cast moulds in sterling silver or bronze! Remove glass pieces from moulds.
evening #6: Enameling copper projects, forming, how to make your own basic findings.
evening #7: Bezel settings cabochon stones or fossils or crystals, or an enamelled or Fused glass piece.
evening #8: Finish up projects
No experience necessary! More details in the Metal Workshops section.
Metal + Glass course dates (Monday + Wednesday evenings):
February 5th-28th- 
Looking for an affordable studio space in Toronto where you can work on your metal and glass related projects? This might be the space for you! Come by Thursday evenings after 7pm to see if the studio is what you’re looking for and/or email your questions to: nanotopia@me.com
Open studio nights are a perfect time to visit the studio and meet other members. If you have a small project you would like to work on or ask for help with you are welcome to bring it in.
Thursdays 7pm – 9pm If it is your first time we recommend coming later in the evening, from 8pm – 9pm.
Nano-members have access to tools and equipment (kiln rental is extra). Members have access to the studio facilities Thursday evenings 7-10pm and Sunday afternoons 12pm-5pm** membership costs $75/month (**IMPORTANT: reopening January 18th, 2018 -check updates for Winter hours or email the studio in advance.)
Purchase membership online or via eTransfer: ($77.47 will be charged to cover Paypal fees)
Nanopod studio share-holders are the people collectively responsible for running and maintaining the space. Studio share-holders have 24/7 access to the space via key fob, and help determine how the space is operated: the people who schedule OS time and run the space as well as use it. Studio share-holders get priority use of the space, as well as free or significantly reduced price classes and workshops. Studio share-holders (OCAD/GB students: think Ultra Bench Rental) pay $350/month (tax included).
Please note that prior to 24/7 access via key fob it is suggested that artists/makers purchase monthly studio time. This way we all see if the studio space is a good fit plus, we get to know each other! Some responsibilities of Studio share-holders includes:
Be available for Open Studio time 1 Thursday evening and 1 Sunday afternoon per month (schedules are discussed monthly).
Studio share-holders commit to 4/6mo with post-dated cheques or recurring eTransfer payments (1st/last up front).
Make sure all shared tools/equipment are kept organized and in working order.
**Studio share-holders do not need to offer workshops/courses.
Materials and consumables are not included in Open Studio time – you need to supply your own saw blades, solder, drill bits, wax, metal, enamel powders, stones, etc. Assistance/guidance is included, however you need to know what you are doing and how to properly/safely operate equipment, tools, and torches. If you are unfamiliar with some of the industrial/dangerous (chop off fingers, burn off your scalp equipment we suggest taking a beginning workshop or 4wk course). Orientations on how to operate our kilns needs to be booked in advance of kiln use please.
METAL + GLASS 4wk: Monday & Wednesday evenings – Learn basic Goldsmithing. 6:30-9:30pm Next course starts-up Monday July 31st RECEIVE 25% off $275 regular price.
evening #1: First evening: working with copper: safety, drilling, sawing. Adding textures.
evening #2: Making a band ring out of silver (stamp, hammer finish, roller print, etc.)
evening #3: Working with wax create pieces w/the lost wax technique- to be cast in Sterling silver or bronze/brass.
evening #4: Finishing wax projects, Cuttlefish casting (lo-tech) in house.
evening #5: Kilnworked glass. Fuse several glass pieces (buckle, pendant, cabochon for setting later!).
evening #6: Enameling copper projects, forming, how to make your own basic findings.
evening #7: Bezel settings cabochon stones or fossils or crystals, or an enamelled or Fused glass piece.
evening #8: Finish up projects
No experience necessary!
Copper, wax, glass, and some sterling silver are supplied*. A list of local suppliers is included. Questions concerning this course? Please see our FAQ’s
What is included:
Approx 3″ x 3″ piece of 16 to 18 gauge copper & *16 ga Sterling silver sheet & wire/15 gr casting grain
Sterling silver for 1 ring band, approx 60mm in length and 1.5mm thick (6mm wide)
Wax
Solder
1 dozen 3/0 saw blades, *1 gross selection of Jeweller’s saw blades
Glass powders/Frit & sheet for Fusing *Approximately 1kg of Lead crystal towards a lost wax casting.
Bezel wire for 1 setting
Use of tools & equipment *Bench pin and saw frame to take home
Students are encouraged to supply their own cabochon cut stones, crystals, rocks, etc. However there is a small selection of stones for students to choose from.
July 31st ($275pp) 6:30pm-9:30pm 4 seats remain July 25th 11am
July 31st start-up 25% discount at checkout
Optional Lab Fee (includes items above with *): $125
Seats are still available for May’s Metal + Glass course!
METAL + GLASS 4wk: Next course starts up Monday, May 2nd and runs Monday & Wednesday evenings Form • Fabricate • Cast • Fuse – Learn basic Goldsmithing – 6:30-9:30pm, – $275 per person, 6 people max, 3 people min. Deposit of $137.50 to hold space. Further details and to register, please follow this link.
Glass cabochons, bezel settings & fold forming, heat rivet connections & simple hollow forms. 4 evenings starting Tuesday June 7th-28th (runs Tuesday evenings 6:30-10pm), $280pp Deposit of half required to hold seat. All materials included. Seating is limited to 4 students
Bat Skeleton Articulation WorkshopDate: Thursday, August 25th
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Cost: $200
Deposit of $100 required to hold seat* Seating is limited, reserve your spot today.
Registration for any of our classes can be made via Paypal, or with Visa, MasterCard or cash at the studio.
The March metal + glass, 8 week courses are starting to fill up- register soon!
This 8 week course covers basic hand sawing, forming and fabrication, soldering (joint, sweat and pic), vitreous enamels on copper, depletion gilding Sterling silver, wax carving and cuttlebone casting, bezel settings, tube setting, rivets (cold connections), simple findings, and flame-working soft glass. All for $275! Materials and expendable included for most projects/processes. Next courses start Monday March 3rd and Wednesday March 12th
Working with Polyurethane! Making silicone moulds!
This is a special, one-off workshop with guest instructor: Nick Sainchuk
Don’t miss out! Register today- ALL materials included.
Electroforming organic and non-organic objects!
This is an amazing process! Grow metal onto acorns, bone, glass, plastic, wax.
In this workshop students will grow copper onto various materials they bring into class. The layer of copper is thick enough to stand on its own. Depending on the material electroformed, students might later plate, paint, heat patina, or add vitreous enamels to this surface adding more texture and interest. 3 spaces available for this workshop. Register under the Metal 2 course!
