Hearts at the Bench: A Valentine’s Weekend Making Corazón Earrings
Valentine’s weekend in the studio is always special, and this year was no exception. We had the joy of spending it gathered at the benches with our incredible students, torches glowing, silver shining, and hearts quite literally taking shape in everyone’s hands.
Because of the excitement around this workshop, we were thrilled to host two sections of the Corazón Earrings class over the weekend. The response was so strong that opening an additional session allowed us to welcome even more makers into the experience.
The class centered around vibrant spiny oyster shell hearts, each one rich with fiery oranges, deep reds, and soft pink tones. Students paired their stones with a curated mix of accents, creating combinations that felt deeply personal. Some designs leaned bold and dramatic, others soft and romantic, but no two pairs were ever the same.
The Corazón Earrings project is a favorite for a reason. It’s beginner friendly but still rich in learning. Students shaped and refined metal, built their settings, soldered components, and carefully set their stones. Each step required focus and care, with confidence growing steadily at the bench.
One of the most memorable moments came during the stone setting. You could feel the shift in the room as nervous hands became steady and bezels closed securely around each heart. That’s when the piece truly came to life.
What stood out most across both sections wasn’t just the finished earrings, it was the connection. Laughter moved easily across benches, tools were shared, and small victories were celebrated. There’s a special spark when someone pauses and realizes, “I made this.”
A Little History Behind the Heart
Heart shapes have appeared in jewelry for centuries, long symbolizing love and devotion. Over time, that meaning has expanded to include friendship, remembrance, and self love. When shaped and finished by hand, the symbol carries even deeper significance, tied to both emotion and experience.
Throughout the weekend, students built foundational skills including sawing, forming, soldering, stone setting, and finishing. Working on a mirrored pair also introduced lessons in balance and symmetry, blending technical thinking with design.
By the end of each session, the studio felt warm and alive. Benches scattered with silver scraps and polishing cloths, hands dusted with compound, faces glowing with pride. Finished Corazón Earrings shimmered everywhere, each pair carrying the unmistakable mark of its maker.
Valentine’s weekend, for us, meant community, creativity, and celebrating love in all its forms, love for craft, for learning, and for making something meaningful together.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who spent their weekend with us. Thank you for trusting us with your creativity and your time at the bench.
With full hearts,
The Meltdown Studio Team
