GUEST INSTRUCTORS
Carmen McNeil - Chroma Rocks Jewelry
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Carmen is the founder of Chroma Rocks Jewelry. She is a native Californian who has been living in Arizona for just under 5 years. She specializes in creating delicate, yet bold jewelry using traditional metalsmithing and wire wrapping techniques. Her goal is to empower women to fearlessly live life on their own terms and embrace the qualities that make each one of us unique. Through the use of one-of-a-kind gemstones, a variety of colors and unconventional designs, each piece exemplifies her mantra to be bold, be colorful, be unapologetic, and shine.
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Carmen teaches beginning jewelry, intermediate jewelry, private lessons and workshops.
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Visit Carmen's website to view her work. www.chromarocks.com
Chroma Rocks Jewelry
Hector Ortega - Silver Lining Metal Stamps
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Hector is a sculpture artist and metalsmith who creates hand crafted metal stamps in Phoenix, AZ.
Visit Hector's Instagram page to view his work: @silverliningmetalstamps
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Silver Lining Metalsmith
Michelle Startzman - Michelle Startzman Metalwork​
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Michelle is a metalsmith and enamelist living in Phoenix, Arizona, where she works as a studio artists and metalsmith. She received her MFA in Metals from Arizona State University in 2013 and her BA in Photography and Art History from The University of Arizona in 2005. She currently teaches at Mesa High School. She has taught at Arizona State University, Central Arizona College, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Milkweed Arts, Shermer Art Center, and Harold Studio.
Visit Michelle's website to view her work. www.michellestartzmanmetalwork.com
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Michelle Startzman Metalwork
Dara Paoletti
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Dara is passionate about sharing her knowledge with students and delights in helping them ignite their creative spark and hone their skills. She has experience teaching metalsmithing, jewelry making and blacksmithing to adults and children in a variety of settings including classes and workshops at several regional art centers as well as university continuing education courses.
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Dara found her passion for making jewelry at a young age. After taking jewelry classes as a high school student, she decided to pursue creative studies in art school. Dara earned a BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she had the opportunity to learn from several gifted artists and craftsmen.
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Her work is inspired by natural forms as well as a deep appreciation for the history and traditional techniques of metalsmithing and blacksmithing. She attempts to create jewelry that strikes a balance between stark simplicity and classic elegance.
