Member of the Month: Metal Arts Academy

Website: www.metalartsacademy.com

Tell us a little about yourself.

About the school….
Metal Arts Academy was born out of a desire to train and educate in the art of fine jewelry fabrication, design and the metal arts. Our goal is to provide students with the skills and guidance needed to venture into the world of metal, to begin a career as a bench jeweler or to just enjoy continuous learning and working with their hands, all while bringing forth their creative ideas. At MAA, we take pride in the knowledge that our instructors bring to each student. Attention to detail and the finished product is as important to each piece as the design and the materials.

About the instructor….
Michael R. Kosinski began his training in high school, he then apprenticed with Van Craeynest, Inc. in San Francisco for 6 years during the 1980’s. It was here where he learned the fine art of jewelry making based on old world techniques such as forging, toolmaking, carving and chasing. After many years of working at the bench in two jewelry stores, Michael went out on his own in 1999 and formed Michael R. Kosinski, Fine Jewelry Design / Manufacture where he has created custom pieces for clients ever since. Several years ago he began sharing his knowledge with students and discovered a passion for teaching the trade he has worked in for over 40 years.

What is your favorite tool and why?

I don’t really have a favorite tool, but I believe one of the most important tools is my bench pin. Almost every operation in creating a piece of jewelry happens either on top of, underneath, or against the pin. Each of our long program students receives a new bench pin at the beginning of class that will take shape as they use it to fit their own personal preferences. This bench pin will be theirs and they take it with them when they leave the school.

Which materials do you create with most and what is your attraction to using them?

I enjoy working in platinum. The fact that it does not oxidize when heated is one reason, plus I can pre polish all parts before assembly and they remain polished. The way it moves is another reason I enjoy working with it. And of course its durability. It isn’t the easiest material to work with but it is well worth the effort in the end for its finish and feel. 18k yellow gold would be my next favorite for its warmth and color, especially when matched with platinum.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

I think I draw my inspiration mostly from my past experiences and from the training I received as an apprentice with Van Craeynest, Inc. in San Francisco. Working every day with skilled craftspeople and being a part of a company that manufactured fine jewelry of the highest quality was very inspiring. It was the basis of my training after attending jewelry school and I think my work reflects the attention to detail and design that was taught to me as an apprentice at Van Craeynest.

What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out in metals?

My advice to anyone starting to work in metals or jewelry specifically since that is my background….work with as many metals and different methods as you can. Experience as much learning as you can whether that means taking classes, reading books, watching videos, and working under someone to learn hands on…it’s all tied together.

Favorite resource/vendor or website

There are two vendors that we use the most in our every day operations: Otto Frei and United Precious Metals