Heather Guidero, Jessica Armstrong

Crafting Careers: Creating a Life in Contemporary Art Jewelry

October 11 - 16, 2026

Intermediate

Metals, Jewelry

Overview

This hybrid workshop investigates the concept of jewelry as a small business by exploring the idea of production—the ins and outs of designing and creating a line of reproducible jewelry geared toward the market. The primary focus of this workshop is learning how to successfully take a design from conception into production. Mornings will be dedicated to bench demonstrations and hands-on time, while afternoons will feature open conversations and critiques on subjects specific to building a career. Key topics include: tips and tricks at the bench, establishing a digital presence, wholesale versus retail strategies, how to present work to a gallery, and preparing for shows. Students will leave with finished samples, reproducible metal models, and the confidence to move their practice forward. Basic jewelry skills are required, and students should come to class with production ideas and samples already underway.

Course Fee : $852.00

Scholarships & Material Fees

Need help covering workshop costs? Arrowmont offers financial aid opportunities to broaden access to our arts and craft programs. We believe a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

Material fees are not included in our national workshop costs, but are included with the cost of our winter short workshops. A material list with estimated costs will be emailed about 30 days before the national workshop begins.

TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Cost Breakdown

Registration Fee

$50.00

One Week Workshop Tuition

$852.00

Estimated Cost*
*Fees exclude housing and meal plans

$902.00

VIEW HOUSING & MEAL PLAN COSTS

Artist Bio

Heather Guidero

Heather Guidero is a contemporary art jeweler and educator who established Heather Guidero Jewelry in 2006 in Rhode Island, where she now works full-time alongside a small team. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 2002 with a BFA in Jewelry + Metalsmithing and subsequently apprenticed as a goldsmith with the renowned NYC jewelry company Reinstein/Ross. Since returning to Rhode Island in 2005, she has dedicated herself to developing her own collections, while also working as a freelance designer for private label costume jewelry companies and teaching extensively. Her teaching roles have included developing and leading young artist jewelry classes at RISD, leading lost wax casting classes at Rhode Island College, and instructing at community art centers such as The Steelyard. Her work is represented by 40 contemporary art jewelry and craft galleries across the country and in Europe, and she recently curated the two-person show "Across the Pond" at Jewelerswerk Galerie in Washington DC, featuring the work of UK jewelers Sarah Pulvertaft and Sian Evans.

Artist Website

Artist Bio

Jessica Armstrong

Jessica Armstrong is a trained contemporary art jeweler, curator, and educator who is the owner of Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry in Chicago, Illinois, continuing the gallery's 30+ year legacy since becoming the sole owner in 2018. She received her MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and has supplemented her formal education with workshops at various institutions. With nearly 20 years of gallery experience and over 10 years curating, Armstrong's expertise is highly sought after; in 2025 alone, she served as a Judge for Romanian Jewelry Week, a curator for NYC Jewelry Weeks’ Discover, and for Radical Jewelry Makeover’s Rejewelry Competition and Exhibition. She has also served as a Juror for major events such as the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the 2023 Art Craft Show held by Philadelphia Museum of Craft. Additionally, Armstrong has shared her knowledge as a Visiting Lecturer for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (2025, 2023) and as a Guest Lecturer for Halstead’s Jewelry Business Forum (2024) and Stay Gold Collective (2023).

Artist Website

Explore the Metals Studio

With views that overlook our wood hillside, the Metal Studio is located in our main Turner Building. Central aisles of dedicated workbenches, with a bank of windows on one side and vented multi-use tables for casting, soldering, and finishing on the other. This vaulted studio is a jeweler’s favorite. Ideal for smaller metal work of all kinds, the long narrow space includes hammer and machine rooms, outdoor covered porch for larger fabrication, and a shared kiln room with the Glass Studio.

Explore the Metals Studio