Sand Casting With Gemstones with Brienna Hall

Set in the breathtaking landscape of the Mendocino coast, this course invites students to dive into one of the oldest metalworking techniques with a modern and creative twist. This workshop is ideal for students with some prior metalsmithing or casting experience, or those who have taken Brienna’s Sand Casting for Jewelers class. It’s designed to encourage experimentation and personal expression, while grounding participants in solid technique and studio safety.

In this workshop, students will:

• Learn how to create reusable molds using red clay sand with the core casting systems
• Discover how to safely cast heat-resistant gemstones directly into metal
• Experiment with embedding stones, chain, bone, organic material, and even cremains into their castings
• Use both traditional and vacuum-assisted casting methods for precision and expanded possibilities
• Explore techniques such as cast-in-place, tube setting, prong setting, and channel setting within the sand casting process

Tuition is $420, $90 Materials fee, MAC Studio fee

You’ll leave with:

• A set of one-of-a-kind jewelry components or finished pieces
• Hands-on knowledge of embedding gemstones in metal through direct casting
• Techniques for adding color, texture, and narrative depth to your work

To register, contact Brienna Hall at inquiries@briennahall.com or Call/text 707.357.0166



About the Instructor:
Brienna Hall is a jewelry artist and educator based in Mendocino, CA, where she teaches at the Mendocino Art Center, offering regular sand casting workshops and open studio sessions. This summer and fall, her classes will include Sand Casting with Gemstones, Sand Casting Basics, and Keum-Boo surface techniques.

She holds a BFA in Sculpture with a minor in Fiber Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute. Her creative journey began as an analog photographer and milliner, crafting ornate headwear and dreamlike imagery—early expressions of her deep love for adornment and storytelling. This path evolved into Shrine Jewelry, jewelry that blends adornment, ritual, and fine metalwork.
Working from her studio on the Northern California coast, Brienna draws inspiration from the wild landscape and mystic symbolism. Her jewelry combines organic forms, repetitive patterns, and textile-inspired techniques with metalsmithing processes like sand casting, fabrication, and keum-boo. Often working with metals and materials that hold metaphysical properties, she imbues each piece with that intention. Each creation is made to honor the body as a sacred shrine—unique, timeless, and deeply personal.
Shrine Jewelry has been featured at Milano Jewelry Week (Artistar Jewels 2025), in British Vogue, and is available through select fine galleries in Northern California and online.
You can view her work here

About the Mendocino Art Center:
Nestled on the rugged Northern California coast, the Mendocino Art Center is a historic hub for artists and creatives of all disciplines. With professional studios and sweeping ocean views, it offers an unforgettable setting for focused creative work.