Stone Carving I - Bruce Mckay
Class | Registration opens 12/2/2024 9:00 AM EST
STONE CARVING
INSTRUCTOR: BRUCE MCKAY
Learn the ancient art of carving gemstones using modern tools. This class is geared towards learning to carve using a flexshaft and basic bench tools.
Students will carve a rough piece into a highly polished jewelry sized gem ready to be worn or set into a piece of jewelry. Suitable stones for carving will be discussed and stones suitable for class work will be available for purchase. Students are welcome to bring their own stones to carve. Slabs of Jasper or agate are best, and ¼” or thicker is best.
Day One and Two will be spent carving a design that includes all the basic carving techniques: slab trimming, drilling, grooving, shaping, concave plus convex surfaces, then taking the piece through the stages of grinding, sanding and up to a high polish.
Days 3-5 are Open Studio where students can work on their own carving designs. Students take home the tool kit to continue their new carving skills at home.
Class Fee: $225 (This includes $125 in tools)
Est Materials: Fee: $15+
Bruce McKay
Bruce McKay made his first piece of jewelry in 1969 and decided then that this was to be the art he would follow. He went to the University of Oregon, getting a degree in Art Education. He first began to sell his work at craft shows, then opened a retail store, then ended up with a private studio and showroom where he worked on one of a kind custom piece in Gold and Platinum. Along the way he became a GIA Graduate Gemologist, graduated from Diamond Setting School, became a gemstone dealer, gem cutter and teacher. In 2014 he retired from active work and began to focus on cutting and carving, primarily in Agate and Jasper.