You know how powerful gold is for elevating your work. But buying sheet after sheet, or casting in solid gold, can feel out of reach. And even if you’ve learned the basics of alloying, how do you add gold to your jewelry strategically—in ways that maximize impact, minimize cost, and expand your design language?
In Art of Affordable Gold: Part 2, you’ll explore 5+ techniques for adding gold exactly where you want it—without the cost of solid gold fabrication.
This class is different from Part 1. You do not need to take Part 1 first. They are separate.
This is not just a class on how to do it, but why the techniques work. You’ll understand the metallurgy, the problem-solving strategies, and the creative applications that give you both confidence and freedom in design.
Gold isn’t just beautiful—it’s smart business.
In 2024, jewelry sales grew by 5% overall, with online jewelry sales up 10%.
U.S. retailers are reporting that fine jewelry continues to sell strongly in 2025, even as mid-market silver and base metals are struggling.
Gold consistently accounts for the majority of jewelry sales worldwide—because it’s timeless, desirable, and trusted.
That means there has never been a better time to bring gold into your work. Customers are choosing gold. The market is demanding gold. And artists who can offer it—without pricing themselves out of production—are the ones who will thrive.
This class gives you the tools to do exactly that.
Over 5 sessions, we’ll dive into methods that transform sterling into extraordinary canvases of gold:
Better understanding of gold fusing and which torch to use for the desired outcome
The best flame and setup for accomplishing the task of fusing silver and gold.
When to use sterling silver, Argentium and fusing silver (a proprietary silver) for the gold applications you desire (let’s make your job easier and outcome more successful)
Fusing gold with Argentium
Fusing Gold Wire & Shapes to Silver - additive method
Contemporary bimetal you can make yourself—no expensive stock required.
Fusing Gold Dust & Powder
Unlock rich textures and shimmering surfaces with controlled fusing techniques.
Homemade Keum Boo
Create thicker, more durable versions than traditional foil for unique applications.
Commercial Keum Boo
How to get the most from this classic surface technique—without frustration.
Paintable 24kt Gold
Apply gold like a painter—adding strokes, accents, and highlights that transform your work.
5 focused sessions: Long enough to master each method, spaced so you have time to practice.
Multi-camera demonstrations: See every detail at the bench, in real time.
Metallurgy explained: No guessing—understand why it works, so you can adapt and problem solve.
Affordable access: Learn five techniques for the price of one class.
Replay access & community: Review the lessons, ask questions, and learn alongside other jewelers.
This isn’t a sampler plate. It’s a deep exploration of gold application that will give you lasting, versatile skills for your studio practice.
👉 Seats are limited, and this class will sell out.
Check out the FAQ for a basic list of things you will need from torch, equipment, and materials.
Secure your place November 14th (at 8am PT), and take the leap into working with gold affordably, skillfully, and with joy.
The jewelry market is clear: fine gold jewelry continues to thrive in 2025, while mid-market silver and base metals are lagging. Customers are seeking gold—and artists who can offer creative, contemporary gold techniques will stand out.
Adding these skills to your bench isn’t just about artistry. It’s about building resilience in your business, offering work that feels both high-end and affordable, and positioning yourself at the forefront of what’s selling today.
You’ll also be invited to a closed/private FB group where we will have LIVE and recorded discussions. You’ll have access to me for 6 months after class and as a class of intermediate to advanced artists, we can create a closed community to help when the need arises well after the class ends.
I hope when you have completed the class, and are done exploring the techniques, that you are overflowing with inspiration and creativity. You’ll have so many new tools in your toolbox. Which will you reach for first? I can’t wait to see!
December 1st 4-7:30 pm Pacific Time (4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET, 12am London)
December 4th 4-7:30 pm Pacific Time (4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET, 12am London)
December 8th 4-7:30 pm Pacific Time (4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET, 12am London)
December 11th 4-7:30 pm Pacific Time (4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET, 12am London)
December 15th 4-7:30 pm Pacific Time (4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET, 12am London)
**You do not need to be present for any or all of the LIVE classes. The classes will be posted to the online learning center for you to watch anytime that is convenient for you. You’ll have plenty of time between classes to catch up and you can ask any questions on the group which I will promptly answer.
There will be additional impromptu LIVE videos and recorded videos broadcast and posted on our Facebook Group.
We are going to be doing basic fusing. For this type of fusing, just about any torch will work. However a bigger bushier flame would be better. So if you have a butane torch or even a Swiss Torch or Little Smith, you’ll want a torch tip that gives you a bigger “spotlight”.
However, if you want to try making your own Homemade Keum Boo you will need a torch that can melt gold. That would be a duel fuel torch (Little Smith, Swiss) or Acetylene Air or Bernzomatic Reach Hose Torch with MapPro gas (will cover in the Tool and Supply Video that will either be LIVE in Nov or Recorded).
Tools help us accomplish our tasks. They are very important. Class #1 will be a comprehensive class on tools, supplies, and materials. We will go in depth as to what you must have and possibilities for you to consider acquiring at some time.
These are tools that I personally use. You might have something similar and that’s fine. You do not need to buy all the things, however I have been in so many classes where one of the tools the instructor used often was not on the list. I felt that my ability to do the task was hindered because I didn’t have it. So all my fave tools for the task will be on the list and if you want to wait to see if you want to buy it, that’s fine.
Please remember that I used to own a jewelry tool and supply company for 10 years and was a senior instructor for Rio Grande. So I feel like I have tried nearly every tool possible. I probably bought it too. I don’t recommend tools unless I know they are the best. Sometimes it an inexpensive tool and sometimes it’s costly. If it saves me time and makes the job enjoyable, it’s a good tool. I know that down the road I can sell them because good tools increase in value.
Lastly, remember you do not need to try all the things that I am going to show. Pick and choose what appeals to you, what’s in your budget, and do the rest later.
A basic list of things you will need that a bit more expensive:
Butane or other torch (propane + oxygen) or single fuel propane (Read the FAQ on What Torch Do You Need For This Class)
Heat source like a hot plate (Tonya’s Recommended Products) or Ultralite
A torch that can melt gold, and a Rolling Mill, if you want to try the handmade Keum Boo American Bimetal Doublé
Gold and Silver (this is minimum):
2 grams of 24kt if you want to make your own handmade Keum Boo and have some left to grind for fairy dust (more is better)
.5 gram AGS (Accent Gold for Silver - from Tonya’s Online Tool & Supply Shop)
1/4 sheet of commercial Keum Boo
2” of gold wire in 18kt, 20kt, 22kt, or 24kt
66mm x 10-12mm wide piece of Argentium or proprietary silver (will be given source in class) for the American Bimetal Doublé to
Any sterling pieces or 940 pieces of silver that you can apply gold to for all the projects (these can be pieces already completed without stones)
If you have other questions, you can message me.
I usually don’t sell kits at classes because they are frankly time consuming to procure and assemble. There is not enough mark up to warrant doing them from a business standpoint. However I make an exception when I know that it would be so time consuming and costly for you to get the supplies from many different places and pay the shipping from so many places. So, if a kit is offered, it will include materials and consumables that you might need. Tools are only included if I think it would benefit you.
Buying the materials for the kits is an expensive outlay of money tied up in a product that fluctuates in price. I do my best to time the purchase at the best time. I also get better deals when I am ordering 250 ounces versus you ordering 3 ounces.
So no you do not have to buy a kit.
A kit WILL likely be offered so you can buy less gold (enough to try the technique) and not have to outlay so much money to try it. The kits will be offered in November as will a Tool and Supply Video or Live Class.