This is a piece I am currently working on. It will be a sash pin for a tartan. I have never made something like this before. And I don’t normally do celtic knotwork, so needless to say I was a bit out of my comfort zone on this one. I have enjoyed making it, very much. I can’t wait to see it on the finished costume. It will be adorning a renaissance actor. We love the faire, so it was enjoyable to make.
At my bench, one one one, students can learn the basics of jewellery fabrication including piercing, soldering, and stone setting. These traditional techniques and art they create are thousands of years old, culturally significant and in todays world of computer printed and machine produced jewellry, are in jeopardy of being lost. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of artists drawn to the medium, increasing the desire to learn silversmithing and goldsmithing techniques. Artistically adventurous people come from all over the country to spend time at my bench and learn a foundation in this vast medium. Students are often surprised at the amount of time, labor and care that goes into the fabrication of a single piece of jewelry. I love sharing what I do with people, not only because I am passionate about the art I create, but also because we have an obligation as artisans to share our accumulated knowledge with successive generations of craftspeople.
I am a goldsmith, designer, artist, teacher, and father. I design and fabricate every piece of jewelry from raw materials in my studio in Tampa, Florida. Each piece is one of a kind, designed by me. I create my own sterling silver, 18K, and 14K alloys that I fashion, mill, forge, fuse, and braze into miniature sculptures for personal adornment. I select and set each stone, often performing my own lapidary work on select stones. I have complete contact and artistic connection with each piece of fine art jewelry from concept to collection.
I am offering a holiday special for the Couples Jewelry Making Class. If you book your private class before December 31st, 2018, I will give you a 50% discount (A savings of $225.) The regular price is $450. With the holiday special, the price for the class is $225. The offer expires 12/31/18. Supplies are included.
I am an artist and designer goldsmith. I am inviting couples to hand make rings in sterling silver. Participants discover new abilities to design and create jewelry under the guidance of a professional jeweler.
This course is a great opportunity for partners to explore each others creative and artistic side as each makes a piece of jewelry for each other. This course concludes with complementary offerings of champagne or wine, as well as fruit and chocolate.
I have opened my jewelry studio for basic silversmithing classes 7 days a week by appointment, Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to Noon or 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. No experience is needed. Reservations are required. Each class is approximately 3-4 hours long.
Students learn about jewelry in my fully equipped studio. Each class is private, enabling each participant to learn skills and techniques. Students will go home with their finished rings.
For more information call Nataly Balk at (813) 728-4325 or visit https://danbalkjewelry.com/jewelry-classes/couples-jewelry-class/
Dan Balk Jewelry 