Cobblestone Inlay with Caitlin Albritton

We are thrilled to be welcoming artist Caitlin Albritton to the studio for the first time! Her gorgeous work is a fusion of classic silversmithing techniques and non-traditional lapidary methods, resulting in painterly creations made up of colorful stone and silver.

In this three day intermediate class, Caitlin will introduce us to her unique approach to designing and building pendants using "cobblestone" stone inlay. This inlay method involves carving small pieces of stone with rounded or domed tops to fit into silver cells which we'll fabricate from scratch. She'll talk us through design and fabrication considerations, and help us choose materials for the greatest impact. Best of all, most of the work can be done using diamond bits and grinding tools in a flexshaft - big lapidary equipment will be available but mostly optional!

Students should have solid foundational metalsmithing skills: soldering, sawing, filing, and finishing. And while prior lapidary experience is helpful, it's not required - just be aware that you may need to choose a simpler design (even as simple as the pyramid sample shown) if this is your first time out with lapidary work.

Your workshop and materials kit fees will cover absolutely everything you need to participate in class, including rough slabs, polishing materials, and the use of all the equipment needed to successfully create your own cabochons. And as an added bonus, you'll get 30 days access to the same videos our online participants will get... at no additional cost!

Please note: If you have rough you'd like to cut, you're welcome to bring it but we will not be set up for slabbing, so any rough you bring must be pre-slabbed.

Information about taking workshops with us
can be found at this link. 

Note: We recommend bringing your own eye magnification to help you see as clearly as possible while working. Because these needs are so personal, it's impossible for us to have the right thing on hand for every student. Need help with this? Call the studio or send us an email.