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

  • 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. Liz is the owner and creator behind Covert Metals, a one-woman metalworking studio located in Denver, Colorado. You can find her work at CovertMetals.com or on Instagram and Facebook @covertmetals.

What People Say about Liz Covert's Classes….

“Liz as the instructor immediately made the space feel safe, fun, and welcoming. She explained the process in a way that felt doable for all skill levels.”

“Liz is possibly the most enthusiastic and engaging human I’ve ever met!”

“I took two jewelry classes in college and struggled, but Liz gave tips and pointers my college professors never did that helped me be so much more successful.”