Bezels 3 Ways

join me in-person at Metal Arts Guild of Georgia

April 6 - 27, Wednesdays 10:30-1:30 learn three bezel techniques: hammer set, bezel with prong combos, decorative or shaped bezels. Make your own setting punch and micro-burnisher. This class is followed by another bezels-centric class in May. Space is limited, registration through Metal Arts Guild GA, email me with questions. [email protected]
register here

level up your practice

The Applied Design program is a sustainable method to improve your design skills, expand your awareness of all-things-jewelry, and be part of a really cool, like-minded community - all for less than the cost of a single in-person class. Subscriptions are just $38 a month and include the Applied Design presentation meetings, Jewelry Club Weekly newsletters, and Jewelry Club community forum.

enroll in Applied Design now

Why Design?

Balance Technical Ability with Design Awareness

Your authentic design voice will distinguish your work, perhaps even more so than technical skills. Of course, both are important, but it’s likely that up until now, you have concentrated on the mechanics, letting the design intuition take care of itself. The Applied Design program is a guided look at design to sharpen your awareness and cultivate skills with lessons applied to your current work.

Even the most humble jewelry requires multiple design decisions.

Be confident in your choices by exploring design with the Applied Design program.

We all have an innate ability to recognize beauty and respond to good design. This intuition can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Since it comes as “standard equipment,” we might take it for granted, failing to nurture it. The good news is that it never goes away, and with a bit of attention, your natural design instinct can blossom and become your most valuable asset.

How it Works

access on your schedule

  • Live Online Meetings

    We have two live online meetings per month on a Wednesday from 7- 9:30 pm ET. (See calendar button below for dates.) One meeting is for an Applied Design presentation and discussion. The second meeting is for Call & Response. Live events are archived for viewing and reviewing.

  • Weekly Email Newsletter

    Stay motivated with weekly emails, each detailing a different aspect of the current topic.

  • Community

    Jewelry Club’s Discord server is the place to show your work, ask for help, get feedback, share resources, learn about opportunities, chat with colleagues.

Calendar

click button to see program dates and times

3 unified tracks to improve your design abilities

10-week sessions give you time to absorb the lesson, adapt to your aesthetic, create new designs, and see how others are doing it.

  • Lessons

    Design lessons are delivered through monthly live online meetings and weekly emails. Each new series explores an aspect of design with related topics to incorporate the concepts into your practice.

  • Application

    The design exercises and challenges work within your current creative practice. Integrate the lesson and make it part of your design toolbox by applying it to your work. Members post and discuss results on our private Discord forum.

  • Awareness

    “Jewelry World” is a big place. More awareness = more fun. Topics include jewelry history, significant designers, exhibits and collections, jewelry editorial and books, marketing, branding, and creative inspiration.

design principle Rhythm

a presentation of a recent topic from Applied Design

This is the intro presentation to the series on Rhythm, what it is, how to use it in your designs. Plus a few other things. The intro was followed by weekly emails to expand the topics, discussions on our community forum - Jewelry Club.
view free preview

The place to connect, share your work, get feedback, updates, and news

Jewelry Club is a virtual community of jewelry makers dedicated to moving their practice forward.

When you enroll in the Applied Design course, you are automatically included in Jewelry Club. Yay!
what is Jewelry Club?

Be ready for the next new session.

immediate access to content

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keep in touch

info and updates about classes and workshops

Applied Design & Jewelry Club

the perfect combo

  • A COMMUNITY >>>> encouragement, support, motivation, accountability, inspiration, connection. Interact, post images, links, and comments on private forum.

  • IMPROVES DESIGN AWARENESS >>>> adds to enjoyment of your practice, you will have a confident design voice and more cohesive collection

  • INCREASED AWARENESS OF "JEWELRY WORLD" >>>> better understand your value as a jewelry maker, appreciate your role in the lineage of metalsmiths, see how our craft engages with and influences contemporary culture

  • CHALLENGES AND PROJECTS with topics that relate to your practice >>>> effective for busy jewelry makers, supplement your collection with new work, help find your voice, move you forward

  • LIVE PRESENTATIONS - RECORDED AND ARCHIVED >>>> view and review on your schedule, with time to absorb and apply the information

Wait! There's more . . .

Call & Response is included

Call & Response is our monthly live online group discussion forum. Click the button below to learn more.
more info

Jewelry Club Members Share

“I moved a year or so ago and missed my metalsmithing buddies. I joined Judy’s Jewelry Club for the community but got so much more. If you’re looking for motivation, inspiration, design conversations, technical help or downright fun, this is the group for you. No matter what skill you will be welcomed into a great group of artistic friends.”

Leigh Griffin

“I joined Jewelry Club during the height of the Covid pandemic when my jewelry classes were canceled and my creative motivation plummeted. The monthly Zoom meetings with Judy and the Club kept me connected to the metalsmithing community and kept my dwindling energy for studio work alive. Discussions about design principles, current jewelry trends and their cultural context kept me focused on my goals as a professional jeweler and a creative. Judy has a passion for jewelry that goes beyond her own studio work and her presentations, group facilitations, and social media resources have been so helpful and refreshing. ”

Aalia Mujtaba

“Participating in Jewelry Club has been a great experience for me. As a goldsmith who makes mostly rings and necklaces sold in galleries, I need Judy’s design challenges to think about other essential parts of a jewelry collection—bangles, chains, cuffs and more. The themes of rhythm and placement have inspired me to draw new designs and try them out. Jewelry Club is also educating me to use social media and presentation formats, such as Discord and VoiceThread. I very much enjoy the conversations in the “pod” as well as Judy’s monthly lectures.”

Regina Imbsweiler

“I can’t say enough about how great it is to be a member of Jewelry Club. Judy’s expertise is invaluable to my development as a jeweler. I’m more organized, inspired, and technically proficient as result of being a part of this group. The atmosphere here is very supportive. Ideas and constructive criticism are shared among members with generosity and sensitivity. Judy has created a real community; a safe place for artists to thrive. She gives equal attention to jewelers at all stages of their craft.”

Kathryn King

Your Guide

Judy Parady

I am a lifelong metalsmith, jewelry maker and teacher. With this program, I teach design by directing your attention to what is all around us. I come to this opportunity with a BVA in Jewelry Design and Silversmithing, an MFA in sculpture, and a lifetime of working in the trade, exhibiting and selling my jewelry, and teaching others. I’ve learned to value the lineage of metalsmithing and the cultural importance of jewelry-wearing. Increasing my knowledge of design and awareness of jewelry’s cultural history is an ongoing quest, one that enhances my practice every day. I invite you to join me to experience the same in your artistic journey.

Jewelry Club Values

Jewelry Club is for jewelry makers and artists working in the vocabulary of jewelry who want to know more about design, and the cultural role of jewelry.

  • creativity is essential for happiness and must be nurtured

  • learning our craft is an ongoing process

  • developing a unique aesthetic is critical

  • being in a community promotes inspiration and motivation anglan

  • mastering technical skills and increasing design awareness are equally important