The Howard Academy for the Metal Arts is all about metal, and that of course, means jewelry too. This school provides certification type programs in goldsmithing and production techniques and basic and commercial jewelry techniques. From what I saw of the web site, it is geared more towards someone who might start off as a bench jeweler (after graduation of course) and then maybe some day own a fine jewelry store.

I’m back in the classroom today. I won’t be teaching jewelry. Instead, it will be English. Oh, so much fun – we’ll be covering punctuation tonight. Don’t you wish you could be there? (he he)
It’s been about a year since I’ve taught because I took the last year off to work on my dissertation. So, I’m really looking forward to getting back in the classroom.
I’m writing about this on my jewelry and beading blog here because teaching can be a very rewarding way to earn a living, and that of course, includes teaching others how to bead and make jewelry. …read more

Open workshops are one of the best ways of learning when it comes to crafting jewelry. Most of us are pretty much self-taught for the most part. However, sometimes you get stuck and it would be great to have someone more knowledgeable step in and help you out.
The BeadBabe Store in Sacramento, CA (916-344-2323 or 800-270-4181) has an open workshop planned for Jan. 6, 2007.
If you aren’t close enough to head over there, consider checking in with your local bead shop or rock club to find out if they also offer open workshops or might at your suggestion.

If you’ve been trying or hoping to learn silversmithing but don’t have metal work classes in your general area or maybe can’t get out of the house much, then you may want to consider Squaw Creek Silver’s “Guide to Silversmithing”.
I wrote a brief review of this video awhile back, and also a more detailed article about this video, and while the video and actual set up shown for silversmithing is nothing fancy, it has a lot of helpful basics for the beginner.