CMAG MakerSpace
The Creative Metal Arts MakerSpace is a shared workshop in Watershed PDX, an industrial arts sanctuary in SE Portland with easy access by car and public transit. We offer professional instruction for both new metalsmiths and experienced jewelers seeking to refresh or advance their skills in a collaborative environment.
In addition to classes, we offer two benefits for members only: weekly open studio times staffed with an experienced CMAG host, and monthly special interest sessions where like-minded people meet to share and learn about specific topics, gain confidence in new skills, and troubleshoot thorny challenges in a community setting.
Take a Class
Lost Wax Ring Casting
Learn the process of lost wax casting, from carving the wax model, sprueing and investing, then burnout the model and cast to make unique ring designs in silver.
Saturday, October 25
Sunday, October 26
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Flex Appeal: Your Definitive Guide to Flex Shafts, Bits & Accessories
Master your flex shaft in just one class! Join metalsmith and tool expert Kristin Mitsu Shiga for a deep dive into motors, handpieces, bits, and burs—plus tips on setup, care, and efficiency. Walk away confident, organized, and ready to make this powerhouse tool your bench’s MVP.
Saturday, November 1
Sunday, November 2
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Copper Sculptures & Vessels
Design and create a sculptural form in copper or a frying pan. This class is all about hammering metal and shaping that metal into an interesting work of art. The class will go over all the basics of preparing the copper for hammering by cutting, filing, and annealing.
Saturday, November 15
Sunday, November 16
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Plique a Jour Filigree Enameling
Learn the process of enameling on silver with plique a jour (literally translated as light of day), where open wirework filigree cells are filled with luminous transparent glass enamels.
Saturday, December 6
Sunday, December 7
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sign Up For an Open Studio Session
Our centrally located studio in Portland is equipped with 10 jewelry benches with flex shafts. The studio includes a rolling mill, forming stakes, drill press, enameling kiln, torches, centrifugal caster, Beverly shear, buffer, magnetic pin tumbler, and polishing equipment.
Members can book open studio time on alternate Thursday evenings (6:00–9:00 PM) and Friday afternoons (1:00–4:00 PM). There is a $15 fee for each slot cover the cost of a studio monitor, and we ask that you sign up in advance below.
Special Interest Groups
Led by an expert instructor, these monthly sessions are focused on specific areas of interest such as enameling and casting.
Enameling
Debra Carus invites enameling enthusiasts to join her at CMAG's Makerspace once a month to share the magic of glass enameling on metals. During each session, Debra will share tips and tricks for enameling success and help troubleshoot tricky projects. In addition, you'll have access to the studio Paragon enameling kiln and acetylene/air or propane/oxygen torches, basic enameling supplies and tools, and enjoy sharing ideas with others working in this medium. Each session may also include brief presentations on enameling topics, determined by the group's interests.
Teach a Class
Would you like to teach a weekend or weekday class for CMAG? We welcome instructors with specialized skills they can share with our members. Please email cmag@cmaguild.org and we’ll send you a course proposal form.