Our A-Z Roadmap Takes the Guesswork out of Learning to Make Jewelry

Say hello to your official wingman for every step in your jewelry-making journey! Escape the Youtube tutorial vortex, and stop relying on expensive trial-and-error. Instead, you can feel confident knowing you’re always learning the right things in the right order, with curated classes, resources, and support to guide you. A proven game-changer for beginners and experienced jewelry-makers alike, this Roadmap is waiting for you inside the Metalsmith Academy right now.

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Leading Experts in Jewelry Making & Training

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Years Experience in the
Jewelry Industry

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Personalized Support From Lucy Inside the Metalsmith Academy

“I chose Lucy Walker Metalsmith Academy because of Lucy's high energy and engaging style. Now that I'm working my way through the "Roadmap" I'm finding that her teaching style is very detailed and I'm getting way better results than I ever have in other classes.

Although I've been taking classes off and on for 18 years, I've started at the beginning of the Roadmap. I'm practicing the basics and performing finishing techniques I never learned along the way. I love the way the online classes are structured. I can see what I need for the class in advance. Also, Lucy seems to anticipate my questions and answer them in the videos. The Community Forum is active and very supportive. I'm extremely happy to have joined the Metalsmith Academy.”

Kimberly Adams

Looking for a Proven Path to Metalsmithing Mastery?

Take a Sneak Peek Inside the Roadmap

Check out this overview video from inside the Metalsmith Academy

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So, You’re Ready to Turn Your Skills up a Notch… but Where do You Start?

With so many options at every price point under the sun, learning to make jewelry online can be a mind field. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the “top” techniques to learn, “must-have” tools to buy and “best-seller” pieces to create… and many jewelers fall into the trap of learning the wrong things in the wrong order (often with no idea they’re doing so!)

That’s the cost of relying on Youtube and Pinterest algorithms to guide your jewelry-making journey - it’s easy to find yourself choosing your next project based on what’s ‘popular’, not on where you’re actually up to in terms of skills and experience! And as a result those ‘easy’ projects turn out to be waaaay harder than they need to be, and your progress (and confidence) takes a hit.

Like in school though, it’s much easier to learn when you’ve got a clear plan to follow, and a teacher to guide you through it. And that’s exactly where our A-Z Roadmap comes in…

The Secret to Jewelry-Making Success is to Nail the Basics First

It’s like building a strong foundation for a house… but instead of bricks, it’s sawing, filing and torch control skills that matter! The Roadmap breaks down the ‘how’ into clear, satisfying action steps that never leave you guessing. Each step builds on the last, adding and refining your techniques until you’re confident whipping up complex, high-quality pieces of jewelry like it’s second nature.

This isn’t just for beginner jewelers either. Members with 5+, 10+ and even 20+ years of experience are saying this roadmap is helping them create more professional-looking, high-quality pieces than before.

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Foundation Class: Your First Steps
at The Bench

Jewelry Making for Beginners: No Solder Earrings

If you’ve never made jewelry before (or you’re feeling a little rusty and want a gentle way back in with some quick, beginner-friendly pieces), you’re in exactly the right place. If you’ve got no tools, no experience and no clue where to start, this is for you!

This Foundations class comes before Stage 1 and focuses on getting you comfortable at the bench first. I’m talking simple jewelry you can knock out in a weekend, no-solder projects that’ll be your new addiction, and other helpful training to get you confident enough to embark on the rest of your jewelry-making journey.

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Here’s What to Expect Inside Each Stage of the Roadmap:

1

Stage 1: Apprentice Smith
Learn the Metalsmithing Fundamentals

In this stage, you’ll master the basics and learn the essential metalsmithing techniques and tools you’ll need to kickstart your journey with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Where do I even start with this jewelry-making stuff?” …the answer is: right here!

In Stage 1, you’ll work through some fun, hands-on classes, each showing you how to create stunning pieces of jewelry in detail. Inside these extensive lessons, you’ll develop or refine so many skills that will be incredibly useful throughout your journey. Whether you’re brand new looking for a kickstarter, or a little more experienced and needing a refresher, this is the perfect place to start.

PITSTOP

Optional Pitstop: How to Make Simple Ear Wires

Learn how to create your very own ear wires

Time for an optional pitstop, where you can put your new metalsmithing techniques into practice! This super short and simple project will give you the skills you need to create your very own ear wires. That way, you can put the skills you’ve learned in the Saw Pierced Pendant class to use, and make earrings too!

2

Stage 2: Emerging Artisan
Time to Build on The Basics

In this stage, you’ll learn to jazz up your beginner skills with new techniques, and add some beautiful new pieces to your repertoire.   

It’s time to up the ante, get creative, and conquer your soldering fears as we make a Spinner Ring, Linked Drop Earrings and a Sweat Soldered Bracelet together!  

Advance to the next level of beginner jewelry-making with these 3 fun projects. These classes build on the skills you developed in Stage 1, and show you the what, how and why of a range of new techniques.

PITSTOP

Optional Pitstop: Toblerone Hoop Earrings

Create Unique Chocolate-Inspired Hoops

Take a little (optional) pitstop and put your new skills to the test with this fun, creative project!  When it comes to metalsmithing, inspiration is everywhere - and where better to look than inside a delicious Toblerone chocolate bar?! In this pitstop, you’ll learn how to make a beautiful set of silver hoop earrings, inspired by the pyramid shapes of a Toblerone. By the end of this bonus class, you’ll have your own pairs of fabulous earrings, and a tonne of tips and tricks to carry through the rest of the Roadmap!

3

Stage 3: Gem Setter
Get Comfy With Beginner Stone Setting

In this stage, you’ll learn the ropes of setting stones, tackling projects like Bezel Set Pendants, Chunky Bezel Set Rings, and Prong Set Pendants.   

Open the door to a whole new world of design possibilities as you add stunning stones and gems to your jewelry like a pro. PLUS, you can finally start using up that stash of gemstones you’ve been collecting (we know you have one, don’t even try and tell me otherwise). 

These classes will empower you with the techniques you need to create unique, high-quality pieces that don’t fall apart. Adding stones to your jewelry repertoire will give you a new level of confidence and skill, as you create stunning one-of-a-kind pieces to share with customers (or just wear yourself!)

PITSTOP

Optional Pitstop: Saddle Ring Template Pack

27 Printable Designs to Inspire Your Own Unique Saddle Ring Creations

Want to design your own beautiful, unique, and highly saleable saddle rings? Here’s where you can take another pitstop, and we can give it a go together! With these templates, you can ditch the creative block, stop procrastinating, and start creating right away. Whether you use them as they are, or customize them with your unique style and flavor, these 27 design templates will take the guesswork out of your design process. Plus, with 13 pages of step-by-step instructions on how to make your rings, you’ll be seriously set up for success!

PITSTOP

(Another) Optional Pitstop: Starburst Bezel Settings

Learn how to make and set some gorgeous textured bezels.

In less than 15 minutes, we’re gonna learn how to make these awesome textured bezels together! Starburst bezels are such a fabulous style to learn, especially if you’ve got some beautiful stones that deserve to have their moment in your pieces. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to create, even for jewelers still building their skills. So it’s well worth the bit of practice to add it to your toolkit! Whether you’re aiming for a modern or more vintage, timeless look, these bezels are the perfect touch.

4

Stage 4: Advanced Artisan
Master Intermediate Stone Settings

In this stage, you’ll learn how to spice up your settings with more intermediate techniques, and create a Flush Set Pendant, Octopus Set Ring, and Tube Set Ring.   

Get ready to take things to the next level! With these intermediate stone setting techniques under your belt, you can get even more creative with your stone setting, and start designing the unique pieces of jewelry you’ve been dreaming of. 

These settings will empower you to add all kinds of beautiful accents and details to your pieces using smaller stones and diamonds, and boost the perceived value of your pieces. Whether you’re adding a border of flush set stones around a large bezel set pendant, or you’re adding a single tube setting at the bottom of a bezel with a little diamond, you’ll have all the skills you need to nail these designs.

PITSTOP

Optional Pitstop: Beadopus Setting

Get Creative With Our Very Own Stone Setting (At Least We Think So)

Take a pitstop, and master a fun new setting: the Beadopus Setting! We’re pretty sure we created this since we haven’t seen anyone else do it before. It's just like the octopus setting, but with a twist…We’ll be using beaded wire instead! This project is great for incorporating larger stones and looks totally unique. You’ll leave this pitstop with a beautiful, unique final piece, and a tonne of new skills to carry with you throughout the rest of your Roadmap journey.

5

Stage 5: Jewelry Virtuoso
Conquer Expert-Level Techniques for Professional Pieces

In this stage, you’ll put the fancy pants on all the skills you’ve learned so far, and truly take your pieces to a pro-level standard. 

Get fancy with your newly mastered stone setting skills, and try your hand at some seriously game-changing techniques! This final stage will guide you step-by-step through expert-level skills, and give you every opportunity to try, practice, and improve until you’ve mastered them. You’ll learn: how to create a setting for an oval brilliant cut and set the stone perfectly; set a Princess Cut Stone (after learning to make the setting of course); and how to make Prong Settings for Round Brilliant Cuts.

These are the settings that will show to the world you're a seriously skilled jeweler!

At this point, you’ll officially be a Roadmap champion and you’ll be able to claim Virtuoso-Status (with bragging rights!)

The good news is, it doesn’t end here…

Your journey with jewelry-making has only just begun, and there’s so much in store for you down the road as you grow and refine your skills. Whether your goals are to create special pieces for yourself, or to build a business selling your jewelry, it’s so important to keep developing and practicing your techniques!

Inside The Metalsmith Academy, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We’re always releasing new classes and projects to keep your skills polished and progressing. Plus, don’t forget, we’re in the forums every day to answer your questions and make sure nothing is keeping you stuck. Join now to kickstart your journey inside the Roadmap, and soak up all the training and support you need to fast-track your path to success.

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Hear From These Brilliant Metalsmith Academy Members…

Over 200+ Reviews
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Susan Wells

Susan Wells

Anyone wanting to either start there jewelry making journey or progress further, this is the Course for you. In depth learning on every level. I can't stress enough how brilliant her classes are, you learn so much from her, and the creative kickstarters for me are always something that takes me out of my comfort zone. its a massively helpful online community, With every question answered super speedily.

Jessie Koh

Jessie Koh

Lucy is a gem of a teacher imparting valuable knowledge and patiently guiding you every step of the way, you can tell she genuinely wants the best for everyone. She makes you feel comfortable by creating a conducive environment for students to explore their creativity and hone their skills. I was sad when the class came to an end, it was an immensely enjoyable experience. I am looking forward to joining her next classes…

Melissa Clarke

Melissa Clarke

I discovered my love of jewelry making in early 2021 and found Lucy Walker’s Metalsmith Academy at the same time. Talk about the stars being in alignment for me as I went from absolute beginner to having the confidence to start my own handmade jewelry business within months. So empowering!! The course is brilliant with outstanding instruction - videos, handouts, step by step processes, super handy tips and more. The projects are motivating and well-sequenced to build skills steadily. The creative kickstarters are awesome for stretching your creativity - see my image. The encouragement from Lucy and her team and the other members is excellent and affirming. The course is excellent value for money and the opportunity to win prizes along the way is an added bonus. My only regret is that the Aussie/USD exchange rate is a killer. I finished much of the course content anyway, but am glad that Lucy shares a lot of content on YouTube so I still get my fix.

Rachel Carter

Rachel Carter

Prior to joining LWJA i was frustrated and trying to figure so much out all by myself. Now I've found my home and all the support I was looking for here at the academy. I've taken other classes online and in person but none compare to Lucy's clear instructions and extra close up video demonstrations. I'm still so surprised by how much value there is in the classes and the forum with Lucy's constant presence and mentorship alone. I am always able to get help with any project or skill whether it's from a class or not. Also, I've got access to Vennice's amazing rendering classes, all the free template and project exercises, vendor discount codes and so many more perks included in my membership! I've been a member for 3 years and continue to learn and find so much support from new classes, Lucy's mentorship on the forum and the community at LWJA. And the icing on the cake is Lucy's frequent give aways, awards and competition which have more than paid for my membership! I'm really lucky to have found such an amazing group to be a part of!

Claire Tasker

Claire Tasker

I joined Lucy’s metalsmith academy when it first opened and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. When I joined all I could make was simple silver rings, self taught. I really wanted to learn how to set gemstones and because of the clear, concise tutorials I can now flush set, bead set, prong set and bezel set! Before this I used to spend hours searching YouTube but there was either too much waffle ???? or not clear enough footage of what they were doing. And to top it off, everyone at the academy including members are so, so friendly ????????

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