As a jewelry maker, I know you struggle every day with the confidence to put out work that people recognize. You wish they would say "oh I know who made that!"
Maybe you aren't sure if your pieces are good enough to sell.
Wish for a class where you could be yourself and make the work you love?
It doesn't have to be a struggle!
I'm Susan Lenart and I believe a piece of jewelry is more than just a beautiful accessory and more than the sum of its parts.
In the past 30 years growing as an artist, I have travelled to Southeast Asia, South America, Central America, East Africa, Australia, Indonesia, France, and Croatia observing both nature and history.
I visited small villages and marveled at being able to witness their ancient traditions. I found that history, art, tradition and culture can not help but to be a big influence on adornment.
Culture becomes embedded into this medium through every stitched or stamped symbol in fabric and every carved and engraved mark in metal.
My journey to developing my voice in adornment has taken many twists and turns. After art school, I began collecting handmade traditional clothing, costumes, and jewelry. I spent two years repairing ethnographic jewelry.
I’ve learned that the root of ancient adornment is storytelling. In these pieces, you can see their hopes, fears, and desires. Folk tales, music and dance directly influenced the shapes of jewelry. I witnessed beautiful cultural dances incorporating magnificent costumes and layers of jewelry moving and chiming with each drumbeat.
My pieces reflect my personal history. They involve lots of movement, sound, and energies from gemstones, rubbed into fibers, or inscribed inside my hollow forms.
If you can be authentic in your work, you'll always find someone to buy your pieces.
I've taught workshops all over the world for years and I've met so many students who felt stifled by other classes. I teach an intentional approach to metalsmithing using your breath and taking care of your body as you work.
I know many people can't take the time or pay thousands of dollars to travel to one of my workshops, so, in 2019, I developed and filmed my signature course.
In Intentional Metalsmithing, you'll be encouraged to design work from your heart, celebrate mistakes, and go crazy! There are no rules around what objects you can use in your work. One of my first big pieces involved items from a poker game, another incorporated pencil stubs, each piece was a story from my life.
I've taken six major techniques to teach inside Intentional Metalsmithing. These techniques are in all of my work. I also use a simple, portable torch soldering station that you can set up for under $300.
Limiting myself to this set of tools has opened the door to my creativity! I would love to show you how to use a butane torch and tools that fit inside a bag to create amazing personal jewelry out of sterling silver.
I LOVE teaching. I LOVE working with new metalsmiths. I hold nothing back when I teach. I believe we all rise when we help each other and the community of students has shown incredible insights and have gone on to show their work in galleries and even be published!
The Intentional Metalsmithing FB community is a wonderful, safe space for new metalsmiths as well as more seasoned ones. I hope you'll join us!
Six Technique Modules
The six technique modules will build on each other as you create more advanced pieces. Even if you are a beginner- the first module will get you creating pieces you can sell right away!
Assemble Your Personal Talismans
You can bezel or cage anything! What important pieces of your story do you want to set in silver? Talisman jewelry is my passion.
On The Surface - Entire Film
All IM students will receive complimentary access to "On the Surface," This course is packed with valuable content, including advanced techniques, detailed tutorials, supplies list and insider tips to enhance your skills.
INTENTIONAL METALSMITHING WITH SUSAN LENART
Learn torch soldering with sterling silver from the comfort of your own studio.
KEY FEATURES:
The Full Course Intentional Metalsmithing contains six modules of video training plus Alchemy of Soldering
ALCHEMY OF SOLDERING
For the absolute beginner, Susan shows you each piece of the nomadic metalsmith station and how to create a simple, layered, sterling-silver pendant.
MODULE 1: Bezels Expanded
Building with filigree bezel wire, creating pieces with multiple bezels, and adding layers of decorative wire to create truly unique pieces.
MODULE 2: Forging & Building With Wire
Learn Susan's signature forging wire techniques for bezel settings and bangle bracelets.
MODULE 3: Caging An Object
Some objects don't work well in a bezel. In this module, Susan shows you caging techniques.
MODULE 4: Links, Attachments & Assembly
Susan shows you a handful of types of connecting links. These techniques are great for all types of jewelry- earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.
MODULE 5: Hollow Form
Creating hollow form jewelry and prayer boxes. Bonus- learn Susan's signature industrial surface techniques.
MODULE 6: Attachments, Scrap & Finishing
This module is about assembly and the final stages of soldering a complex piece. Susan also shows her amazing scrap bezel technique.
BONUS MODULE 7: Deep Work in Shapes, Symbolism, Filigree & Granulation
This is an advanced module where you will be encouraged to explore unusual shapes, stone and object setting, hollow forms, wire as decorative, granulation and filigree techniques to compose a beautiful personal expressive pendant or ring.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
All levels will benefit! Beginners will practice their new soldering skills and learn best practices in the studio. Seasoned metalsmiths will refine their skills and spend time developing their own voice in their work. (If you are a beginner- watch Alchemy of Soldering first. It will be in your course portal.)
There is 1-2 hours of video content in each module. Susan recommends spending one month on each module and getting into your studio 2-3 times per week when possible so that you will REALLY see an evolution in your work. You will also be invited to live Q&A with Susan every month.
There will be a tools and supplies list posted for each module but everything will be doable with a simple soldering station you can set up for under $300 (depending on your location). If you took Susan's free Alchemy of Soldering course, the Nomadic Metalsmith's Guide includes all the tools you need. Supplies will depend on your style. You can get by with 24gauge s/s sheets and 1/4" s/s bezel wire. Decorative wire like filigree will help you create your own layered style like Susan's. Check out the guide for more info. Email support@susanelenart.com if you need a copy.
This course is self-study so all the modules will be available to you immediately after you purchase. You'll enjoy lifetime access to the content so you can watch videos again and again.
We are excited to offer a 6-payment plan for the full course. When you're considering your investment, think about how many pieces of jewelry you need to sell to make it back? Due to the high quality of our materials, you'll be ready to sell your work in the very first module!
Lifetime access means you will have access to this online course for as long as Susan is offering online courses. If Susan decides to retire the course in a few years, you will be contacted and given the opportunity to download the videos. We will be sure you get a TON of value for your investment!
Currently, no. The book is a great reference for metalsmiths but you'll need to purchase the hardcover copy separately if you want it. You can order copy from https://a.co/d/4rDbOGl