Introducing our web log!

Greetings from Waltham, Massachusetts, home of Metalwerx Inc., nonprofit school and cooperative studio extraordinaire that has launched a thousand careers since its inception in 1998. Perhaps that number is an exaggeration, but it is no small feat that this spunky organization has weathered the ups and downs of several moves, erratic economies, and the vagaries of the metals market to become one heck of a meeting place for jewelry-making enthusiasts of all stripes.

A little background about our permanent location: Waltham is located in eastern Massachusetts, and is lovingly called “Watch City,” as it was home to a company that was first to produce timepieces on an assembly line. The town was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution and has quite a bit of history in the labor movement. Industry and labor: two words that adequately capture the life of the bench jeweler. This blog will attempt to keep the Ganoksin community and beyond informed about all things Metalwerx.

In the coming weeks we will post our class schedules and other morsels of juicy information such as interviews with members of our talented staff, visiting instructors, and other delightful individuals. We might occasionally post photos of some of the jewelry created by any of our teachers, studiomates, or the hundreds of students that have walked through our doors and left with a greater appreciation for the art of metalsmithing–and sharper skills for jewelry making.

Who knows what you’ll find here? Perhaps instructions for a quick and easy chain, a special technique or product that is wowing our student body, or photos of our lovely garden that is continuously in bloom from May through October. I promise to try to make this a fun, informative read.

And who am I? Allow me introduce myself: Yleana Martinez, Metalwerx student since 2007, studiomate since 2008, transplanted Texan and former newspaper reporter turned … jeweler. When I first started on this journey to de-mystify the properties of metal, I never dreamed I’d come so far. Gotta hand it to the folks at Metalwerx. They’ve launched me on a fascinating journey and most importantly, helped me believe I don’t have to produce works on par with Tiffany or Cartier to feel good about it.

Additionally, I’ve helped out in the Metalwerx office and lent my editing eye to some of their publications. But most of all I’ve met some awesome folks and developed wonderful friendships through this school. It’s truly a community-based organization, and I am more than happy to spread the word about its good deeds. Stay tuned for future dispatches!