Teaching & Lectures
2025
More Than a Drill: Grokking the Flex Shaft. 2 days.
2 days.
January 11 & 12.
Portland OR. Creative Metal Arts Guild (@9020 Studios).​
The word grok was coined by the writer Robert A Heinlein in his seminal novel
A Stranger in a Strange Land and means "to profoundly understand something".
From foot pedals to hand pieces, burs to bits, this 2-day hands-on class will open doors onto a
new understanding and appreciation of this amazing tool. Through a mix of lecture, demo and
real-time exercises you'll come to truly grok the Flexible Shaft Machine. Join us close to home
in Portland, OR.
https://www.cmaguild.org/flex-shaft#!event-register/2025/1/11/more-than-a-drill-a-deeper-
understanding-of-the-flexible-shaft-machine
More Than a Drill:Grokking theFlex Shaft.
2 days
February 8 & 9.
Seattle, WA. Danaca Design Studio
A last minute addition!
Come grok the Flex Shaft right here at home!
"Grok" was coined by the writer Robert A Heinlein in his seminal novel
A Stranger in a Strange Land and means "to profoundly understand something".
From foot pedals to hand pieces, burs to bits, this 2-day hands-on class will open doors onto a
new understanding and appreciation of this amazing tool. Through a mix of lecture, demo and
real-time exercises you'll come to truly grok the Flexible Shaft Machine. Join us here in
Seattle! Danaca Design Studio.
​
What if?
Free Online Lecture
March 9, 12:00-1:30pm Pacific Standard Time.
Why do I make?
For Andy Cooperman, the answer to that question lies in the asking of another: "What If?" The need o see what's around the next corner, the drive to see just how far a material, an idea, or process can be pushed before it falls apart is the impulse that drives everything.
From stainless steel to sterling, porcupine quills to ping-pong balls, and torch flames to electric arcs, Andy will dive into his work and a studio practice driven by that simple but most important question: What if?
​
Imaginative Captures.
5 days.
May 1-5
Berkeley, CA. Silvera Jewelry School.
Coming back to the Bay Area!​
Looking for a new way to integrate gemstones--or enamels, found objects --or that little treasure that's
been on your bench for years-- in your work? Well, Imaginative Captures can help you develop new,
elegant, more fluid and fully integrated setting (capturing) solutions. This 5 day information-packed
workshop is full of tips and tricks that can help you find a new way to look at what and how you are
making and break down some of the rigid walls that exist between ideas, process and materials.
We’ll get up close and personal with the flex shaft, soldering, riveting and cold connecting and liberate the
problem solver within.
​
So, if you're looking to shake things up in your studio practice or a fresh way to look at things,
Imaginative Captures may be just what you’re looking for.
Join us at Silvera Jewelry School in Berkeley CA. A really wonderful teaching studio!
​
Bang & Bend: SmallScale Forging for Metalsmiths
5 days
June 2-6
Pocosin. Columbia, NC
Been a while since I’ve taught at Pocosin--and I'm excited to return.
Moving metal by hammering--forging-- is a process that underlies so many processes in the studio.
(In fact, the word smith is derived fromsmite: to strike .) Once you understand the principles,
forging can be applied to rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and small to mid-sized and large objects.
Forging can play a supporting role or can be the star of the show. It's good for the soul and Pocosin
is a great place to hear the anvil ring & let the hammer swing.
Columbia, NC.
​
​
Imaginative Captures.
4 days.
September 19-22
Denver, CO. Denver Jewelry School.
Originally scheduled for last summer, this will be my first time teaching at this veue.
If you're ooking for a new way to integrate gemstones--or enamels, found objects --or that little treasure that's
been on your bench for years-- Imaginative Captures can help you develop new,
elegant, more fluid and fully integrated setting (capturing) solutions. This 4 day information-packed
workshop is full of tips and tricks that can help you find a new way to look at what and how you are
making and break down some of the rigid walls that exist between ideas, process and materials.
We’ll get up close and personal with the flex shaft, soldering, riveting and cold connecting and liberate the
problem solver within.
​
So, if you're looking to shake things up in your studio practice or a fresh way to look at things,
Imaginative Captures may be just what you’re looking for.
Join us at Denver Jewelry School in Colorado.
​
Bang & Bend: SmallScale Forging for Metalsmiths.
4 days
October 23-26
Michigan Silversmiths Guild (@ CCS).
Come to Detroit and learn how to move metal by hammering. Forging is a process that is the foundation
to many other processes in the studio. (In fact, the word smith is derived from smite: to strike .) Once you
understand the principles, forging can be applied to rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and small to
mid-sized and large objects. Forging can play a supporting role or can be the star of the show. It's good for the soul!