The Workshop
In this jewelry making workshop, you’ll spend a week with a small group of other metalsmiths learning all about working with gold from an expert Florentine goldsmith. Not only that, we’ll also privately tour one of Florence’s famous museums, taste the world renowned wines of Chianti on a private tour or get your hands into some pasta dough in a cooking class, and eat scrumptious food.
Since 2016, the Metalsmiths in Florence Workshop has welcomed jewelry makers from all over the world to join us for this spectacular experience.
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Florence, Italy. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Immerse yourself in the rich artistic Florentine culture, savor fresh cuisine, taste Tuscan wine. Explore the wonders of Florence with its ancient architecture, world-famous art, and stunning scenery. Breathe in the fragrant air as you live-like-a-local in one of the oldest neighborhoods of Florence.
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May 2026 = All about Keum Boo
You’ll learn all about making and fusing your own Keum Boo sheet (an ancient Korean technique) as well as alloying your own 18k gold... from prepping your crucible to melting and pouring your molten gold into an ingot. You'll fabricate your own pendant base, add your Keum Boo elements and then move on to how to form and make a bezel for your cabochon stone. You’ll come away from this workshop with a boat load of information to take you to higher levels in your jewelry making.
No gold experience is necessary for this workshop, that’s why we are here!
October 2026 = Flush Setting and Florentine Finish
Learn to alloy your own 18k gold ingot and transform it into a ring. You’ll become well acquainted with the steps to make a perfect seat for your round faceted stone to flush set perfectly into the gold you’ve just fabricated. Alongside this, you’ll get an intro into gravers with the use of the liner graver to impart the famous Florentine Finish to give that silky look to your new creation!
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Margherita - Florentine to the core, she is the studio owner, accomplished goldsmith, instructor, and designated translator of any Italian words that we don’t know ;)
Monica - Metalsmith, co-instructor, host, and organizer of this workshop and the person that makes sure your time in Florence is amazing, fun, memorable, and hopefully life-changing!
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FALL 2026
Florentine Finish and Flush Setting
October 18-25 (Full)
Beginner Jewelry Making!
October 25 - Nov 1
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SPRING 2027
To be determined
What they say…
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"I can say I’m super grateful for the opportunity, I learned TONS about alloying, remelting, annealing and soldering gold. I had amazing teachers, an amazing group, and amazing food!"
-Corkie Bolton Jewelry, Metalsmith Society
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"I was interested in taking a workshop for jewelry making inspiration, and Metalsmiths in Florence did not disappoint, I can not say enough wonderful things about it! Monica, was the most generous, warm and involved host...... and Margherita, a Florentine native was such a knowledgeable instructor; she was charming, professional and supportive and generously shared her well equipped studio space. I learned much about the subject at hand from both Monica and Margherita; but unexpectedly left with a better sense of organizing at the bench, managing my workshop more efficiently, and a better overall creative practice....... this continues to be invaluable in my studio in Brooklyn. Metalsmiths in Florence was a life altering experience, I renewed my commitment as maker and craftsperson."
-Rosanne Pugliese Jewelry
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“The Metalsmiths in Florence workshop is truly a life-altering experience! It all begins (and ends) with Monica. She is the consummate event planner/organizer. She is warm, funny, knowledgeable and organized. She arranges everything for the workshop week, and the workshop is the main event. If you, like I was, intimidated about working with gold, this workshop will eliminate all your fears. The only thing to dislike about the experience is that it goes by all too quickly!”
-Richard Salley
Metalsmith with Hotel
Includes:
7 Nights Accommodation and City Taxes
5 Days Metalsmithing Workshop
5 Lunches
3 Dinners
2 Aperitivos
Private Museum Tour
Private Wine Tasting Tour OR a Cooking Class
Workshop Fees
Metalsmith without Hotel
Includes:
5 Days Metalsmithing Workshop
5 Lunches
3 Dinners
2 Aperitivos
Private Museum Tour
Private Wine Tasting Tour OR a Cooking Class
Non Metalsmith Partner
Includes:
Everything that is included in the Metalsmith with Hotel price EXCEPT for the Metalsmithing Workshop and Lunches.
(This option is for those that are traveling with the metalsmith and stay in the same hotel room where the beds can be separated if desired. They will venture out into Florence on their own during the day while we are in the workshop.)
There is limited availability for this option.
Whats NOT included?
6 grams of 24k gold casting grain
Airfare
Travel insurance
Breakfasts and some meals
Special tools for the workshop
Anything else not stated as included
How to register:
Once registration is open, you can submit your Pre-registration by clicking the “Pre-Register” button and completing the form. If you get an approval email from me, I will send you the full registration forms. Those completed forms emailed back to me and the receipt of a non-refundable $1000 secures your spot in the workshop.
“I learned more in three days than a whole year of workshops…” -Dawn Sherrill
Learn from a Florentine goldsmith and acquire the skills to confidently use gold in your jewelry designs. We work in a fully equipped jewelry studio full of light and space. Located in the heart of the artisan district of Florence, just steps from Piazza Santo Spirito.
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Location
Located in one of the most local neighborhoods in Florence, the Oltrarno, this boutique hotel is only steps away from Piazza Santo Spirito and our metalsmithing studio. At the same time, it’s a quick 10 minute walk to Florence’s central jewel of the famous Duomo in the center of town.
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History
Built in the 1500’s and at one time inhabited by a prince, this boutique hotel is thoughtfully restored in a classic and modern vibe. Each room is different but all boast a minibar/fridge, tea kettle, free wifi, breakfast area among other things. Yes, there is an elevator…fun, right?
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Accommodations
These boutique hotel accommodations boast a lovely 24h reception, daily cleaning, and other fun amenities!
All photos shown are for illustrative purposes and do not constitute a contractual element.
Accommodations
Adventures
Private Wine Tour & Tasting or Maybe a Cheeky Cooking Class!
This day we adventure into the region of Chianti, otherwise known as the Tuscan wine country. We learn about wine production and how to taste wine at both of the wineries we visit, finishing up with a delicious Tuscan dinner. Or we might enjoy a cooking class making our own fresh pasta!
Private Museum Tour
This is not your usual tour. We have an expert private guide to take us through one of the breathtaking museums of Florence. Standing in front of famous works of art that you have only seen in books is a priceless experience.
More Testimonials…
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“If you are a metalsmith seeking the ultimate European experience, look no further than Metalsmiths in Florence. If history, romance, art, great food and the company of fellow artists appeals to you, Metalsmiths in Florence is for you.
Of course, being surrounded and just steps away from every major renaissance museum stature, church, palace, and historic location imaginable can be a bit breathtaking…but relax, you will quickly discover the exceptionally friendly and welcoming Florentine people.
As a metalsmith, you’ll find that Florence is a city of artists and craftspeople. Creative people just like you, interested in ideas, and sharing techniques. Maybe this is the reason that artists feel so at home here. Your Metalsmiths in Florence experience includes the extraordinary opportunity to study with a Florentine goldsmith, your own jewelry bench from which to work in a fully equipped studio surrounded by an international cadre of jewelry artists. The is one of the most electrifyingly creative environments you will ever be in-and it is your home for a week!
Not to be overlooked is the magic ingredient that holds Metalsmiths in Florence together, and supercharges it with warmth, fun, and charm - Monica Cardone. An accomplished metalsmith in her own right, Monica understands the interests and rhythms of her creative guests and is passionate about creating a great experience for them. She is also intimately familiar with Florence and a wealth of knowledge on culture, dining, shopping, and just about anything you’d like to see or do.
I can easily say that Metalsmiths in Florence was the best learning/travel experience we have ever done. But, fair warning! You will fall in love with Florence. Everyone does.”
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3 time participant
“The Metalsmiths in Florence experience was THE catalyst that gave me the confidence to work in the medium of gold. It was easier than I thought. The whole week is a fantastic metalsmithing intensive workshop in gold plus museum tours, wine tasting tours, and more!! I am counting the days until I can get back to Florence, the fabulous studio, and goldsmiths!”
