"Very professional instructor! It was a fun class and I learned so much new stuff, reinforced techniques that I had learned many years ago. The class was structured and we had such a fun time! This class exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with all the different techniques that we learned, especially the soldering. Soldering scared me to death- now I feel very comfortable with it. Keep up the good work!" Carolyn G.
"As a mixed media artist, I am so excited to walk away with another whole world of techniques and materials at my disposal after just a four day intensive class. Regardless of the type of art you create, or intend to produce long term, the skills are invaluable. This class has exceeded my expectations, and Tori was enthusiastic and great!!" Melisa H.
"Every class I have taken at DSMA so far has exceeded my expectations and has been well worth the money!" Carrie (Metals II)
"My soldering gets better each time I learn a new technique. The bracelet taught me many skills in just one piece. My pieces always look great and the instructor makes a huge impact!!" Bobbi Jo (Metals II)
"I really like the new technique for the bracelet. It saves a lot of time and money and the cleanup is so much easier! Thank you so much for the opportunity to take this class a second time. The ability to hone my skills was a real bonus. This was the best group ever!Really fun class!" Mary (Metals II)
"I gained so much confidence in working with everything I learned in Metals I. I only had one teacher previous to DSMA to compare but this is the best place to learn working with metal and creating jewelry!" Tessa (Metals II)
Tom Herman gives instruction to a student
"This was a tremendously difficult yet satisfying class. I learned to file and fit, score wire and bend it to form a box. Also it was a great opportunity to design my own project and watch it come to fruition. DSMA exceeded my expectations. I feel that my skills are always bumped up a knotch. The interesting thing for me was that I really wanted to take the class just to learn the box pendant. Wow! The wire work pendant turned out to be so much fun. It was a huge challenge but Darlene was with me every step of the way. I really appreciate her experitse and her collaborative spirit. I feel that she was as excited about my finished product as I was!" Kathy A. (Metals III Intensive)
The Naja crew!
"The instructor is highly knowledgeable and knows how to convey that knowledge to students of all types. Great demeanor and interpersonal skills. Keeps the class moving without leaving people behind. I really appreciated the attention to detail. The intensive format is great!" Martin H. (Metals I Intensive)
"I learned how to set stones for jewelry, and I especially liked the soldering of small pieces. DSMA exceeded my expectations, such fine instruction. I never thought I would be able to set stones. I really liked the demos. The use of the white board and enlarging the demo was very helpful. Thank you for such a fine school!!" Michael K. (Metals I Intensive)
"This class was so informative. I learned to flush, prong, and tube set stones. I made rings for the first time which was fabulous and great fun. Joe is an exceptional instructor. He passed along his love of craft and his knowledge to us. This was an outstanding class!!" Ann N. (Stonesetting with Joe Lupo)
"GREAT CLASS! Far exceeded my expectations. Joe not only taught us 3 ways to set stones, but a lot more about jewelry techniques, tools, and gemstones." Marilyn K (Stonesetting with Joe Lupo)
"Great class. Lots of new ways to do things, good work out of skills and just the right ammount of laughter!!" Dave S. (Stonesetting with Joe Lupo)
"Awesome & Inspiring!" Gayle N. (Metals I Intensive)
"Placing that beautiful finished piece on your wrist on the last day is the most amazing feeling. Yes! You CAN do it!!" Julie I. (Metalsmithing I Intensive)
"Darlene is an excellent teacher. Bery knowledgeable and also patient and encouraging. She recognizes the differences in her students skills and is supportive of those differences." Marilyn K. (Metalsmithing I Intensive)
"I loved the balanced pace! Darlene gave me steps to follow in increments that really worked for me and she knew just when to take us onward." Gayle N. (Metals I Intensive)
"Thanks Darlene! As always, I had fun! I enjoyed fellow students, your teaching style and I just want to learn more and do more!" Chris W. (Metals I Intensive)
"I have never used most of the tools before, now I have had a very good introduction to thier use!!" (Metals I Intensive)
"It is a great in-depth class for beginners. Well taught and easy to understand, for those who have never worked with metals before-this has raised my confidence level and inspires me to take the next metals class!" Mary Jane S. (Metalsmithing I)
"I liked the ammount of detail given on each step. The how and the why. I liked the respect and generosity of both the staff and the other students. It is very impressive the ammount of equipment the school has and that even level I students get to use them!" I.V. A. (Metalsmithing I)
"I liked the basic and advanced techniques, the shortcuts, and the demos. Loved this class!" Alysia M. (Metals III)
"I liked learning new skills, and soldering all at once. Making pendant boxes are really cool - everything has added to my basic skill set. I will have a ball practicing!!" Edie B. (Metals III)
"I especially liked the timesaving tips - all of them, the patience of the instructor, the camaraderie of the students, and the hands on experience. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed, but Darlene was very patient and supportive. Thank you Darlene!" Bobbi R. (Metals I Intensive)
"I learned so much in this class! I didn't have a background in arts, metal, or jewelry but I was able to keep up with the class. I've read a few books but nothing beats the hands on approach and the step-by-step demos." Kathy A. (Metals I)
"I liked the hands on approach & the Instructors willingness to share tricks of the trade, as well as the time necessary to make sure students grasped all the concepts. I learned a ton!! This class exceeded my expectations. I feel confident in my skill set as well as the things that I was taught. I have taken metalsmithing classes in the past & this one ran circles around them. I also really appreciate the safety instruction as well!" Lauren R. (Metals I Intensive)
"I love the attention to detail. I love that Darlene checked every step to ensure we were doing them correctly. Mary Ann was very helpful, and I loved having a TA in class. This class exceeded my expectations! I learned alot of new techniques and the class went so smoothly! This class fueled my excitement for jewelry again! Thanks! Darlene is a fabulous instructor." Mandy J. (Metals I Intensive)
"I really liked the step by step verbal and visual instructions done in precise manner. Of all the classes ever taken in other states, this excels and is far superior! This was a technique intensive class that taught and challenged my skill set. The techniques learned opened new creative doors!" Roselyn P. (Metalsmthing I Intensive)
"This class went way beyond my expectations! Well taught. Anyone can take these classes and be successfull- just listen to the instructor, follow the steps, and don't get ahead of the rest of the class!" Victoria R. (Metals I)
"I enjoyed everything about this class. Learning how to use a sawframe, soldering and flexshaft were my favorite. Seeing the project through from beginning to end was very exciting. This class exceeded my expectations! Darlene is a very thorough instructor!" Stephanie Z. (Metals I)
"This class exceeded my expectations! Brilliant Instructor! In depth class! Great facility. Well equipped, accommodating staff with coffee all day!" Susan R. (Tom Herman Workshop)
"The studio is well equipped, and the Naja being next door helps. Catered lunch was a great idea! It was a great experience!" Nancy B. (Tom Herman Workshop)
"I really liked that Tom covered putting the gravers in handles, shaping them on the grinders, and sharpening them. He taught us tool making so we can make gravers at home. Having the Japanese tool blanks were a dream.... less work, time from working on the chasing. It's amazing seeing the metal move into form. I loved the catered lunched! I'm glad the Naja is next door, that is very
convenient. Lowell made a great assistant as did Jennifer especially shipping boxes to the school, accommodations, etc..." Cynthia P. (Tom Herman Workshop)
"The opportunity to learn a unique technique with such a consumate master and patient teacher as Tom Herman is rare and much appreciated! Also, the price is very fair. This class exceeded my expectations, equipment, location and the Naja nearby!" Elizabeth M. (Tom Herman Workhsop)
Metals III Pendant by Kathy Adams
"I learned to make bezel cups using quicker methods with machinery- Loved that! Also, learned how to mount a stone (faceted) in a tube setting. Also, pick soldering, quick and easy! This class really exceeded my expectations due to the great staff and well equiped workshop." Gale F. (Metals II Intensive)
"I love learning new ways to do things. Taking this class allowed me to be more efficient, to learn a new technique of bracelet assembly, quick ways to solder, and different way to make ring bends. The classes always exceed my expectations. The instructor keeps everyone on task and time is spent learning & doing. You definately get what you pay for!!" Barb A. (Metals II Intensive)
"The class was intense, just as the name implies, and I liked it. Can't wait for my next class. Darlene is a great teacher, full of knowledge & a sense of humor." Cecil J. (Metalsmithing II Intensive)
Happy Students at this summers Michael Good Workshop
"The structure of the class made it easy to keep up with fellow students, so we were all on the same page & able to work together. The freedom to do our piece as we pleased made it creative & fun. No two pieces looked alike! I also liked the recommendations of products & special techniques that were given by Darlene. Thank You!! I had fun & would love to come back for another class!" Jasmin A. (Metalsmithing I)
"I liked the project we completed, it is something that I will wear, and it enabled me to learn a number of new skills- sawing, sanding, annealing, stamping & hammering, soldering, using a torch, & polishing. Darlene is a very thorough & attentive teacher who made sure everyone understood and was completing each step correctly. I enjoyed the class and felt challenged as well!" Judy S. (Metals I)
"The teacher TAUGHT! The last place I went, there was little instruction. For a beginner, things are NOT intuitive and I appreciated that nothing was too small a question to ask. I love this school!" Georgianne F. (Metals I)
"Excellent explanations, detail of instruction with special attention to each student. I like the way the classes started on time and ended on time." Carol S. (Metals I Intensive)
"I liked how the project incorporated many different design techniques that we will use for many future projects. Instruction was very thorough and lots of really helpful tips that you wouldn't get from books. Awesome - Full and great people! Thanks so much for making this class available for me to come to from CANADA. I hope to be back again for more!" Kristy W. (Metals I Intensive)
"I really enjoyed the freedom that Metalsmithing II provides, and learning alternate techniques for every process. I greatly enjoyed taking classes here! Everything is very organized and well planned. Darlene is a fantastic teacher!" Kelly S. (Metals II Intensive)
"Darlene is a generous hands on teacher who pays close attention to details and problem solving." Melanie G. (Metals II Intensive)
"Metals I included all necessary instruction for the beginner to understand and feel comfortable working with this material. Students were encouraged to work on their own, but still had teacher oversight if needed." Dianna W. (Metals I)
Denver School of Metal Arts Clear Creek Business Park 6810 N. Broadway Unit L Denver, CO 80221 303-428-3162
