Copper Pine Tree Ornament Metalsmithing & Jewelry Class

With Liz Covert

Create a rustic, handcrafted ornament perfect for the holiday season. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will learn to transform a sheet of copper into a beautiful Colorado pine tree ornament using fundamental metalsmithing techniques. We'll guide you through sawing, filing, and finishing your piece, with the option to personalize it with initials or a special date. This class is a perfect introduction to the joy of working with metal. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, discover a new creative art, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

What You’ll Make:

  • You will leave with a beautifully finished copper pine tree ornament, ready to hang. You’ll have the chance to customize it, making it a unique keepsake for your own tree or a heartfelt handmade gift.

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Essential studio safety and proper tool handling

  • Transferring a pattern onto sheet metal

  • Using a jeweler's saw to accurately cut out shapes

  • Filing and sanding edges for a smooth, clean finish

  • Drilling a hole for hanging your ornament

Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:

  • Jeweler’s saw, metal files, hand drill, metal stamps, and various finishing tools.

Class Outline:

  1. Safety & Design: Overview of studio safety, project demonstration, and transferring the pine tree design to your copper sheet.

  2. Fabrication: Students practice using the jeweler's saw to cut out their ornament shape with instructor guidance.

  3. Finishing & Personalization: Students will file and sand the edges of their tree, then use metal stamps to add their own custom details.

  4. Wrap-Up: Drilling the final hole, adding a ribbon for hanging, and Q&A.

Other Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

  • Class Capacity: 10 maximum, 5 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 14+. Guardian required if under 18 (info)

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Available for a Private Class?: Yes (info)

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Closed toed shoes, an apron, and tie your long hair back if needed.

About the Teacher

Liz honed her skills while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in small metals and sculpture. Inspired by the world around her, she continued her education with a Masters in Cultural Studies. Liz’s extensive experience in metal work includes welding, blacksmithing, and a career in sculpture conservation, including working at the Smithsonian. Her teaching background ranges from first grade art classes to private jewelry lessons and has spanned over a decade.

Liz is the owner and creator behind Covert Metals, a one-woman metalworking studio located in Denver, Colorado that has roots reaching from New York to Texas. Covert Metals emphasizes unique one-of-a-kind design that melds contemporary styling with hand-forged detailing. You can find her work at CovertMetals.com or on Instagram and Facebook @covertmetals.