The Michael David Sturlin Silver Crochet Masterclasses at The Kitiki Studio in Corfe Castle in May 2007 were a great success, so will be repeated later in the year and in 2008. I've left the details here so you can see what you missed.

The dates haven't been set yet but, if you'd like to be mailed information about future masterclasses, please mail using the mail link below the menu bar.

A hand-crocheted silver or gold chain is one of the most beautiful chains which a metalsmith can produce. Learning how to make these elegant chains is a valuable addition to any jewellery maker's repertoire. So The Kitiki Studio is happy to welcome Michael David Sturlin, the acclaimed American goldsmith, for a series of masterclasses in silver crochet work.

His masterclasses will introduce you to the fabrication of his signature-style hand-crochet chain, using just a needle and fine silver wire. The workshops are suitable for any level student: no previous experience in metalsmithing, crocheting, or jewellery-making is needed.

Students will make a length of silver crochet chain, suitable for use as a bracelet or necklace, and ready for a clasp. The workshop will include written handouts, tools, materials, and comprehensive instruction in the fabrication, annealing, straightening, drawing, and finishing, of the crochet chain.

He'll discuss attaching terminations, clasps, and findings to the chain, soldering, after-care and cleaning, calculating and ordering materials, record keeping, and tips on studio organisation.

The silver chain can be fired with Art Clay or PMC metal clays, so you can design and make your own unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings, charms, keepsakes, rings, brooches, anklets, ornaments, and seasonal decorations.

To look at a larger photo, hold your mouse over the zoom button below. The photo is 480px x 360px and about 85KB so, if you're not on broadband, it'll take a short while to download.

Zoom: Gold Crochet Chain.

Michael�s skill as a master craftsman has received international recognition, and awards from the World Gold Council and the American Jewelry Design Council.

His jewellery has been featured in a number of publications, and his hand-crocheted necklaces are displayed in select galleries across North America. To learn more about Michael's work, use the gold crochet link above the menu bar.

In addition to his work as a studio jewellery artist, Michael writes technical articles, teaches specialty goldsmithing, holds jewellery making workshops, and runs professional development seminars. In his own words:

Working in my studio is a passion as much as a vocation. It's a meditative process that's both compelling and sustaining. My minimalist jewellery isn�t influenced by trend or fashion: quality and design make it enduring and collectible. I create jewellery that is beautiful, engaging, sophisticated, and well crafted.

These courses are not in the Cherry Heaven on-line shop, so you need to call, rather than email or write, to reserve your place.

There are two two-day masterclasses: the first is on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th May 2007; the second is on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st May 2007. Both run from 10:00 to 17:30.

It's a great opportunity to take a break and visit Corfe Castle village and the surrounding countryside. For a preview of the area, use the shop link below the menu bar, then choose map or Dorset.

The Kitiki Studio also provides a comprehensive Art Clay educational programme as classes, masterclasses, workshops, and Art Clay Level 1 and Level 2 teacher-certification courses. To look at Kitiki, use the kitiki link above the menu bar.