Silvera Jewelry School

I really enjoyed taking the Intro to Soldering class here. It was through and by the end I was able to make and leave with several nice hammered rings. I stayed for open studio to practice what I learned and wish there was more open studio opportunities available to work on your own projects. Overall I’d take classes here again, the instructors were friendly and knowledgeable and the class was fun to take and easy to follow.

This is the best place I have found in the Bay area to learn metalsmithing techniques. I took the 3 hour intro to soldering class and learned so many tips and techniques. The studio is thoroughly stocked with a jeweler’s bench for every student with all the tools needed, a clear and professional handout, and first-​class instruction by Joe Silvera, who demonstrated techniques using an overhead projector so we could see every hands-​on soldering detail. Joe was patient, funny, and took the time to answer any and all questions.

I just took a class taught by Joe Silvera. He is an excellent teacher and I learned so much more than was in the class description. The topic of the class was an introduction to using dual gas torch systems. Not only did Joe ask everyone to set up such a torch (so it can be safely accomplished at home), he offered practical exercises so that everyone experienced how to use the torch in different soldering situations. It seemed to me that there was a range of experience among the students in the class, but with only 9 students, Joe seemed to be able to help everyone. I also loved the fact that his studio is so well stocked; you don’t have to bring anything with you. This was great for me because I traveled from Los Angeles to Berkeley to take the class. Anyway, kudos to you, Joe. I don’t always feel like I get my moneys worth in classes I have taken. In your class, I got a lot more!

Joe is so incredibly patient and knowledgable, and not to mention «dad joke» corny which kept the atmosphere chill and made us laugh. :)
So informative, I really learned a lot. Appropriately challenging for beginners, and very well stocked with the necessary tools, everything you could possibly need. Very impressive, and CLEAN too might I add. thanks for the complimentary coffee and snacks that was great.
I loved my class so much, I wish I had the budget to afford all the tools to do it at home… one of these days!
Thank you Joe & Anat!
I SO wish this was closer to me! open one in San Jose PLEASE!
=D

I can’t recommend this school enough. I’ve taken 2 classes so far (with the owners, Joe and Anat) and thoroughly enjoyed them. They are knowledgeable, patient, and kind teachers and go out of their way to make their students as comfortable as possible. Furthermore, they make themselves available to their students for questions, even outside class hours. I’ve been able to use the foundation I learned in their classes to continue working on projects from a home studio and will return to build on the skills I’ve gained so far.

Joe and Anat have been a total pleasure to learn from. I have taken a number of their classes and had nothing but wonderful experiences. They explain how to make jewelry in a clear and concise way, and at the same time, make jewelry in front of their students so that you can see the process firsthand.
They are always happy to answer any questions and take personal time with each student. Their prices are more than fair and they supply the materials needed for their class. They have a large variety of classes that are specialized like wax carving, enameling, mokume gane and a variety of stone setting methods. Just to name a few.
They have open studios for people to come in and work on whatever they please while being able to use their fully stocked jewelers bench and tools. They also sell pretty much any tool, supply or metal you would need and discount the prices for students.
I have learned a lot from these two and I always feel a sense of community in their classes. Students really seem to support one another and I always feel very comfortable and at ease there. They have taken a lot of time with me and gone far beyond what i would have expected from them as teachers. I think this is because they really care about their students.
Thanks very much Silvera Jewelry School for all of the help and knowledge you have given me. I will continue to attend classes for as long as i live in California.
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I found both Joe and Anat to be wonderful, patient, kind, funny, and experts in their fields. The workshop is well organized, the handouts well written and projects fun.
Making jewelry is not easy, but they both made me feel welcome and at ease. They welcomed questions, gave kind and constructive feed back and I learned more than I ever expected. I drove all the way fro Los Angeles to take the course and it was well worth it!

I recently had a private session with Joe and learned A LOT of great tips plus finished a great looking bracelet. This technique included soldering with delicate bezel cups and reshaping two pieces of silver and creating a non-​traditional piece that looks beautiful!
Since I don’t have my own home studio, I don’t get the practice. Joe was very patient and I look forward to future classes that Silvera Jewelry school offers.
I left confident I can take my jewelry making and metal smithing to another level!
I live in the Peninsula, and was thrilled parking is very easy and the location is very convenient.

Beginners beware– the owners have very little patience for teaching new/​somewhat apprehensive students — go figure, right?
The owner has no problem calling you out in front of the class should you do something wrong or misuse a tool as a first timer.
There are other good Bay Area metal smith schools out there worth looking into such as Revere Academy.

I have taken jewelry-​making classes from a variety of instructors in the Bay Area, several from Anat Silvera in Berkeley, including two this past weekend. These classes have focused on metal smithing: soldering, enameling, forming and texturizing, etc. If you are interested in these techniques, I strongly recommend taking classes from Anat. She has tons of expertise (she literally wrote the book on enameling) and is able to explain design and processes clearly, patiently and with a sense of humor. She is very careful to teach safe use of equipment and chemicals. She is well organized and prepared, with an approach that embraces all types of students and learning styles. (I mention this due to another review that infers that Anat is impatient with older, more easily distracted students. As a long-​standing member of the senior citizen set, I have found Anat to be very patient and accommodating of my challenges, and those of other students.) I came away from Anat’s classes this weekend with a beautiful sterling silver «revolving» ring and some gorgeous enameled pieces that I made myself, along with written and illustrated instructions so that I could «do it myself at home.» I have now signed up for additional classes to hone and expand my skills.

As an aging person, struggling with attention deficiency and processing disorder, I would. Definitely NOT recommend this school to any of my peers.
I have little to complain about the working atmosphere, other than the close workbench quarters and drawer labels that seemed very small to make out, my concern lay with the teacher, Anat. Perhaps she was having a bad few days or that my questions and struggles were too upsetting for her, but as day two passed, I found her degrading, impatient, openly critical of my work, coldo.
On the other hand, Joe Silvera was the polar opposite. if her directions not followed to the tee, he was gracious enough to give a helping hand. He was a sweetheart and seemed to understand the «slower learner».
Perhaps these workshops are only for the under 70, but I also feel as a teacher myself, there needs to be flexibility and patience doled out to everyone who comes to learn.

I took the Intro to Soldering Class on a Thursday evening which had about 8 other students. The set-​up is ideal with fully equipped work spaces. I found Joe and Anat to be excellent and instructors and very personable people. Joe taught the class and Anat was on hand for assistance. It was such an enjoyable experience overall. The Silveras are super nice people who are also very good at teaching their art. I would highly recommend taking one of their classes!

I just finished the week long metalsmithing retreat at Silvera Jewelry School. I’m thrilled to report that this class exceeded my expectations. In five days flat I learned to set gemstones with prongs, tube-​set gemstones, flush-​set gemstones, meltdown precious metals and create ingots and more! Also, I’ve made friends and have an entire new community. It was a productive and amazing week Joe and Anat put their hearts and souls into their teaching. I feel fortunate to be a student at Silvera Jewelry school.

I roped my boyfriend into taking the Intro to Soldering class with me for my birthday recently — BEST IDEA! Joe was teaching the class, with Anat assisting, which was super helpful because my guy and I got there late due to traffic, but they quickly got us up to speed with the rest of the class and zero fuss about it.
The setup and Joe’s instruction was flawless: we each had our own workbench stations (clean, tools well-​organized), and each step of a demonstration was displayed live, magnified from a video camera and shown on a monitor, so no dangerous crowding around teacher while you’re working with torches and hot metal. Procedures and methods were not only clearly explained, but safety was also priority number one.
Both Joe and Anat were always attentive and easy to talk to. I know both my boyfriend and I had some creativity/​design questions, and they both gave us advice for the looks we were trying to achieve. In the end, each student completed a hammered sterling ring and a soldered copper and sterling charm. I personally LOVE my ring (faceted texture and super shiny!) and have worn my creations every day since making them.
Parking was easy along the street, but with few streetlights, so it was pretty dark by the time we got out in the evening, so be aware of that. I’ve been longingly looking at their class schedule and want to learn some new skills and polish some old ones… but my current work schedule conflicts with their dates and times. If you want to learn metalsmithing and have the time/​$, Silvera Jewelry School comes highly recommended.

Silvera Jewelry School is outstanding! Anat and Joe are talented artists and — even more important — gifted teachers. Their school is a labor of love and their personal touch is reflected in everything from a welcoming cup of coffee, to high-​quality studio tools and patient, attentive instruction. I’m a veteran of art classes (Crucible, bead shows, community centers, etc.) and SJC is by far the most professional and conscientious. In other classes I felt I was lost in the shuffle or that my time was being wasted by poor planning or inexperienced teachers. Not here! Joe and Anat will learn your name immediately and work closely with you to make jewelry you’ll feel proud to wear or give. Best of all, their carefully designed, small classes help students develop a solid base of metalsmithing skills, supported with excellent course handouts and student discounts on supplies. The Silveras genuinely want students to succeed. Classes at SJC are fun and empowering, and the beautiful studio environment is relaxed and friendly.

Such a great place. Learn quickly, in a professional, fully stocked station. You get the instruction and attention you need when learning something. Joe is funny, kind, patient and very knowledgable. You’ll walk away feeling capable, accomplished and excited! Definitely take a class here! Joe is very helpful with empowering you to be able to do all of this on your own, at home! So, he will recommend tools, set up, etc. Pretty awesome. They also sell tools and supplies.

Joe Silvera is an amazing teacher. Learning how to make jewelry is not easy. Not at all. Joe has a knack for making us feel relaxed and capable. He challenges us in ways that make learning exciting. He really knows his business. The environment is airy, filled with light and very well equipped. Students have their own workbenches set up with everything that they need to finish a successful piece at each lesson. If Joe is the brains of the operation, Anat is the heart. Anat is a brilliant teacher in her own right but even when she’s not teaching she is supporting, directing, and helping to create an environment that leads to success. Now that’s a great feeling. If you have an interest in learning the alchemy of fine metalwork, this place is magic. You will LOVE it. I do. (p.s. I am a huge fan of Joe’s DVDs)

Took a class here –intro to soldering, armed with a groupon. The workshop/​studio is well equipped with individual workstations set up with all the necessary equipment and materials. They have a projector that shows what the instructor is demonstrating magnified on a screen. I feel I’m explaining it badly, but it really helps to be able to clearly see the technique that is being displayed. We made a sterling silver ring (the stackable kind) and a pendant. I loved the ring and want to go back and make more! The teacher was very easy to follow and was attentive to all of us students and our individual needs. I completely recommend this class and felt happy with the end product. I came into the class with no skills and managed to make some beautiful jewelry. Can’t wait to take my next class!