class schedule
"Make it at Meltdown" Gift Guide: Petite Heart Pendants
Create something meaningful at Meltdown Studio! In this class, craft two sterling silver heart necklaces featuring colorful spiny oyster shells and turquoise accents. Personalize each piece with custom stamping for a unique, wearable work of art.
"Make it at Meltdown" Double Rainbow Stack Ring Set
Ring in the new year with creativity and style! Join our Make it at Meltdown class to craft a custom three-ring stacking set with textured sterling silver and a vibrant turquoise centerpiece. Personalize your stack for a bold, modern look that’s uniquely yours.
Introduction to Lapidary
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn raw stone into a polished cabochon? In this hands-on lapidary class, expert instructor Jim Hill will guide you through the full process, from selecting materials to shaping and polishing finished stones. You’ll practice cutting soft, medium, and hard stones, including turquoise, and leave with several cabochons you created yourself. What kind of stone will you cut first?
"Make it at Meltdown" Corazón Ring
Looking for a creative experience you can wear forever? In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll design and create the Corazón Ring, a sterling silver heart ring featuring vibrant spiny oyster shell and genuine turquoise. Whether you make it for yourself, gift it to someone special, or share the experience with a loved one, this class is a beautiful way to slow down, create by hand, and leave with something meaningful. What will your ring represent?
Introduction to Lapidary
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn raw stone into a polished cabochon? In this hands-on lapidary class, expert instructor Jim Hill will guide you through the full process, from selecting materials to shaping and polishing finished stones. You’ll practice cutting soft, medium, and hard stones, including turquoise, and leave with several cabochons you created yourself. What kind of stone will you cut first?
"Make it at Meltdown" Corazón Ring
Looking for a creative experience you can wear forever? In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll design and create the Corazón Ring, a sterling silver heart ring featuring vibrant spiny oyster shell and genuine turquoise. Whether you make it for yourself, gift it to someone special, or share the experience with a loved one, this class is a beautiful way to slow down, create by hand, and leave with something meaningful. What will your ring represent?
"Make it at Meltdown" Corazón Earrings
Heart season is here, and the Corazón collection is growing. In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll design and create a pair of Corazón Earrings featuring vibrant spiny oyster shell hearts accented with genuine turquoise. Whether you come solo, bring a friend, or make it a shared experience, you’ll leave with a wearable piece full of color and meaning. Who would you make yours with?
"Make it at Meltdown" Corazón Earrings
Heart season is here, and the Corazón collection is growing. In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll design and create a pair of Corazón Earrings featuring vibrant spiny oyster shell hearts accented with genuine turquoise. Whether you come solo, bring a friend, or make it a shared experience, you’ll leave with a wearable piece full of color and meaning. Who would you make yours with?
"Make it at Meltdown" Corazón Bracelet
Heart season is the perfect time to make something meaningful. In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll design and create a Corazón Bracelet featuring your choice of spiny oyster shell or turquoise, paired with an accent stone you select. Whether you come solo, make it as a gift, or share the experience with someone special, you’ll leave with a bracelet made entirely by you. Who would you create yours for?
"Make It at Meltdown" - Spinner Ring
Looking for jewelry that’s fun, meaningful, and completely yours? In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll craft a custom spinner ring; a comfortable band with smaller rings that spin, perfect for focus, fidgeting, or simply enjoying movement in your jewelry.
"Make it at Meltdown" Double Rainbow Stack Ring Set
Ring in the new year with creativity and style! Join our Make it at Meltdown class to craft a custom three-ring stacking set with textured sterling silver and a vibrant turquoise centerpiece. Personalize your stack for a bold, modern look that’s uniquely yours.
"Make it at Meltdown" Radiant Rose Cut Bracelet
Welcome the new year with a project that truly shines. Our Radiant Rosecut Bracelet is back, featuring a shimmering rose-cut gemstone set in sterling silver with hand-finished accents. Inspired by our popular ring class, this bracelet brings elegant sparkle to a fresh, wearable design, perfect for beginners and returning makers alike.
"Make it at Meltdown" Storyteller Pendant
Begin the new year with intention as you design a sterling silver Storyteller Pendant filled with your choice of meaningful gemstones, texture, and symbolism. Create a personal talisman that celebrates your journey and inspires the path ahead.
"Make it at Meltdown" Sparkly Stackers
Ring in the new year with creativity and sparkle! Join us for a fun, hands-on Stacking Ring class where you’ll design and craft your own custom sterling silver ring set. Celebrate the season, connect with friends, and leave with a beautiful handmade stack to welcome the year ahead.
"Make it at Meltdown" Sparkly Stackers
Wrap up the year with a little sparkle. In this Make It at Meltdown Stacking Ring Class, you’ll design and craft your own sterling silver ring set a fun, creative way to celebrate the season and make something beautiful to wear into the new year.
"Make it at Meltdown" Gift Guide: Petite Heart Pendants
This holiday season, make something truly meaningful. Our Petite Heart Pendant class invites you to craft two sterling silver necklaces featuring spiny oyster shell and turquoise; a heartfelt, handmade gift ready to wear or share.
"Make it at Meltdown" Southwestern Snowflake Earrings
Add a little sparkle to your season with our Southwestern Snowflake Earrings class. Create your own sterling silver earrings with faceted gemstones, handcrafted with classic silversmithing techniques; the perfect mix of winter magic and Southwest charm.
"Make it at Meltdown" Gift Guide: Petite Heart Pendants
This holiday season, make something truly meaningful. Our Petite Heart Pendant class invites you to craft two sterling silver necklaces featuring spiny oyster shell and turquoise; a heartfelt, handmade gift ready to wear or share.
"Make it at Meltdown" Christmas Cactus Ring
Get into the holiday spirit with our Christmas Cactus Ring class. Craft your own sterling silver ring inspired by desert blooms and the season’s colors, featuring genuine stones like turquoise and coral. A fun, creative way to make a gift or keep one for yourself.
"Make it at Meltdown" Christmas Cactus Ring
Get into the holiday spirit with our Christmas Cactus Ring class. Craft your own sterling silver ring inspired by desert blooms and the season’s colors, featuring genuine stones like turquoise and coral. A fun, creative way to make a gift or keep one for yourself.
"Make it at Meltdown" Multi-stone Slide Bracelet
Design and create your own Multi-Stone Slide Bracelet with sterling silver, natural gemstones, and leather. A vibrant, one-of-a-kind accessory that’s all you.
"Make it at Meltdown" Bandana Slide
Create a timeless Bandana Slide in this brand-new workshop, blending silversmithing tradition with modern style. Personalize your design with silver or copper, custom stamps, and a gemstone cabochon—then pair it with a handmade bandana by local artist Jen Fox.
Lapidary Technique Focus: Matched Pairs
Refine your skills and learn to craft beautifully matched cabochon pairs in this advanced lapidary class with instructor Jim Hill. Perfect for students ready to take their stone-cutting techniques to the next level.
Introduction to Lost Wax Casting
Learn the ancient art of lost wax casting in this two-day workshop and transform your own wax designs into unique metal jewelry.
Introduction to Lost Wax Casting
Learn the ancient art of lost wax casting in this two-day workshop and transform your own wax designs into unique metal jewelry.
"Make it at Meltdown" Stamped Snake Ring
Shape something meaningful with your own hands in this silversmithing class. Create a coiled silver ring that wraps around your finger with bold detail and personal flair.
"Make it at Meltdown" Skelly Stackers
Add a touch of playful edge to your jewelry collection with our Skelly Stackers workshop. Craft your own set of sterling silver stacking rings featuring whimsical skull designs and vibrant stones for a style that’s uniquely you.
"Make it at Meltdown" Sugar Skull Ring
Celebrate memory and tradition by crafting a stunning Sugar Skull Ring inspired by Día de los Muertos. This hands-on workshop guides you in creating a personalized sterling silver ring filled with symbolic details and vibrant stones.
"Make it at Meltdown" Skelly Stackers
Add a touch of playful edge to your jewelry collection with our Skelly Stackers workshop. Craft your own set of sterling silver stacking rings featuring whimsical skull designs and vibrant stones for a style that’s uniquely you.
"Make it at Meltdown" Stamped Snake Bracelet
Unleash your creativity in this hands-on jewelry class where you'll design a bold sterling silver cuff with your choice of vibrant gemstone. Shape, stamp, solder, and set your way to a stunning bracelet that's uniquely yours.
"Make it at Meltdown" Stamped Snake Ring
Shape something meaningful with your own hands in this silversmithing class. Create a coiled silver ring that wraps around your finger with bold detail and personal flair.
"Make it at Meltdown" Fall Statement Ring
Celebrate the season with a handcrafted statement ring that’s all your own. Learn to create a sculptural sterling silver design featuring rich autumn gemstones in this immersive, all-levels jewelry class.
"Make it at Meltdown" Fall Leaf Earrings
Celebrate the season with creativity. In this Make it at Meltdown workshop, you’ll create a pair of lightweight, textured Fall Leaf Earrings using sterling silver, copper, and natural stones. Learn to cut, shape, and set your own wearable leaf forms - no experience needed, just a love for fall and a curious spirit.
Meltdown Mini-series: Turquoise Saddle Ring
Creativity is better when shared.
Join us for a relaxed, hands-on evening and make your own Turquoise Saddle Ring — a bold, minimalist design in sterling silver or brass with a turquoise cabochon of your choice. No experience needed, just a creative spirit.
"Make it at Meltdown" A Touch of Gold: Gemstone Bloom Ring
Just one thoughtful detail can transform a piece from simple to standout - and in this case, it’s the glow of gold. In this Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll handcraft a sterling silver ring and set it with a faceted gemstone of your choosing, cradled in a gold-filled bezel. The result is a refined interplay of elements: warmth meets coolness, shine meets texture, and your unique vision comes to life.
Introduction to Lapidary
If you've ever wanted to transform raw stone into polished gems, this weekend workshop is the perfect place to start. Guided by seasoned lapidary artist Jim Hill, you'll learn how to cut, shape, and finish cabochons from a variety of materials, including turquoise. Alongside hands-on instruction, you’ll gain insight into choosing the right stones, caring for your tools, and staying safe in the studio. By the end, you’ll leave with several cabochons you’ve created yourself and the confidence to keep going.
"Make it at Meltdown" Adobe Sky Cuff Bracelet
Build something beautiful. In this new Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll create the Adobe Sky Cuff - a sculptural sterling silver bracelet set with hand-picked stones inspired by the colors of the Southwest. Choose from turquoise, carnelian, coral, and more to craft a simple, stackable design that’s quietly bold and uniquely yours.
"Make it at Meltdown" Framed Turquoise Necklace
In this popular Make it at Meltdown class, you’ll design and create your own sterling silver necklace, made to fit a beautiful turquoise stone that you get to choose. You'll shape, stamp, and build a setting that shows off your style, while learning key jewelry-making techniques along the way.
Turquoise has been valued for centuries it is connected to nature, protection, and healing - and it pairs effortlessly with any look. This class is beginner-friendly, hands-on, and full of creative possibilities.
"Make it at Meltdown" Stone Lattice Ring
Create a sculptural statement ring that feels bold yet effortlessly wearable. In this hands-on class, you'll design and build a layered sterling silver ring featuring a natural gemstone of your choice. Learn bezel-making, soldering, and stone setting while building confidence with clean, intentional construction. Perfect for beginners or those looking to sharpen their foundational skills - and you'll leave with a finished ring that truly makes a statement.
Lapidary technique focus: nuggets & pairs
From trail to transformation—turn your found treasures into polished perfection.
We’re excited to offer this special lapidary technique-focus class, designed to take your stone-cutting skills to the next level! Join expert lapidary instructor Jim Hill as he guides you through every step of transforming raw rock into beautiful, polished cabochons—perfectly matched and ready to set into your favorite designs.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to identify and shape usable nuggets—even those you've picked up on hikes through New Mexico’s stone-rich landscapes—and turn them into striking cabbed stones. We'll begin with a review of cabochon cutting basics before diving into techniques for creating matching pairs—ideal for earrings, rings, and more.
Whether you’d like to bring your own hike-gathered nuggets or work with studio materials, you’ll leave with several polished, handmade cabochons and the skills to repeat the process on your own.
Prerequisite: This class is open to students who have completed “Introduction to Lapidary.”
Materials provided: All tools and materials needed to create several finished cabochons to take home. Students are welcome to bring personal stone finds to work with.
Before registering for class, please review our cancellation policy here.

