SilversmithingClass.com — Local services in North Bend

I purchased this class as a present to myself for my birthday to refine some skills. I absolutely regret it. The teacher was short when asked questions, easily angered and impatient when students needed help or did not get something the first time. He raised his voice on several occasions at myself and other students. He said it was his teaching style. It seemed hostile and I learned nothing due to this angry teaching technique. Unfortunately he also was not paying attention and instructed me forcibly bend the bail on my piece causing to break (HE WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION WHEN INSTRUCTING ON THE SOLDER PRIOR TO THE BEND) and my completed piece was ruined. He later "put it back" but it was scratched up and the bezel was completely bent up in his haste.

I did not plan on even taking the piece with me nor was I willing to take a picture with the class. I was so defeated. I literally wasted my money, time, patience and have never made anything since.

This experience stole the joy of creating from me and I do not recommend him as an instructor no matter how many students he claims to have taught. The man enjoys picking on people and belittling it is obvious and sad to see a person in power being so rough with others.

*Update OWNER RESPONSE A YEAR LATER... wow. I have no idea what makes this man think a person who was verbally abused would want to stay in his home. That is so inappropriate. It is an example of how he has no clue or accountability. He was rude to me in person and in his response as well. He did tell me when I was in tears to stay and redo my 2 day project. However I had to drive 3 hours to pick up my dog and could not. He would remember if he wasn't high on pain meds from his back surgery. As I told him. He tried to command me to stay and take a group photo. I have never in my life had an instructor treat me like this man. I went to a university and am use to many personalities but this man...

I would absolutely recommend this class, even if you have never made anything before. It is very informative and worth the price for the amount of information you take with you, including education about the right tools and where to source materials, etc. This class was so much fun, and I learned so much over the 2 days. Small class size (5 of us) helped feel like I could have individual attention. I would have liked to ask more questions, but it was more like you listen to how to do the next step, then you watch the process. Then, each student takes their turn as the others watch. I chose to incorporate a lot of embellishments to my piece, and I felt like I fell behind. While I was trying to finish each step, the instruction for the next step had begun. It was hard for me to listen and watch step 5, for instance, when I hadn't completed step 4 like the rest of the class and I still had questions. This is just my personal take on the class. I am absolutely a person who has a lot of clarification questions, which is why I wanted to learn from a small class and not try to learn...

I have been wanting to take a silversmithing class for as long as I can remember. My girlfriend and I booked this class in March. WOW! We had a GREAT time. Dave is very patient teaching a class of women! He stayed on task and we all finished AWESOME pieces! I was able to take notes and follow along very well and was VERY happy with my pendant! He and his wife are very nice and the views from the home are breathtaking. I also purchased a starter kit which has gotten me going with my new trade. He also gets each student a student discount for Rio Jewelry Supply. This has been so helpful! I would also like to say that he answers questions even after you have been long gone from class and loves to see what work you are doing. I cannot thank him enough for the knowledge he shares in his classes. I hope to do the intermediate someday. I highly recommend this class! I would spend a lot of time watching You Tube videos on beginner classes before hand so that the lingo makes sense if you have never done this type of...