Home / 2027 Courses / 35A-2027 – Luca Tripaldi – The Blossom Session
August 29 – September 11 2027
Porcelain, Jewelry and Goldsmithing
Porcelain, goldsmithing. Some experience required
The Blossom Session celebrates the delicate beauty of flowers. Flowers have served as a constant source of inspiration in jewelry design throughout history, contrasting their fleeting natural beauty with lasting adornments. During the course, participants learn to make jewelry in porcelain, finished with goldsmithing elements in brass, and learn to make metal settings.
This course is for those who already work with porcelain jewelry and wish to learn goldsmithing to further their craft. First, students learn to make prototype brass settings, completed with pre-made porcelain elements provided by La Meridiana. Demonstrations will cover various frames for necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and brooches. Students learn to make clasps, connections and settings of various difficulty. This basic knowledge of the goldsmith’s art allows participants to create appropriate settings for their own designs. After investigating how to shape porcelain to accurately fit the various metal settings, students start producing their own jewelry projects. Participants must be able to make porcelain elements independently, since no porcelain shaping or decoration techniques will be taught. The technical part related to porcelain only covers preparing holes and grooves for the assembly with goldsmithing elements. Finally, students learn patination and metal plating techniques to achieve specific patina. After the course, participants will gain the autonomy needed to create distinguished, refined jewels for themselves or for their clients.
The course program consists of demonstrations for the whole group, individual work supported by the instructor and independent production time. The first days (Monday-Thursday) are dedicated to learning goldsmithing techniques on porcelain elements provided by the school. During the evenings, between 5:00 and 7:00 pm, students independently produce porcelain elements for their personal projects.
Several inspiring slideshows on jewelry and an excursion to Florence at the end of the first week supplement the studio work. During the excursion, students can admire the beautiful rooms dedicated to fashion, costume in the famous Palazzo Pitti. We will also visit the instructor’s private studio in the historic center of Florence to learn creating filigree effects using the rolling mill, a tool not available at the school. The group will stop at a specialized supply store selected by the teacher where participants may purchase additional materials and tools for themselves. Those who wish can remain in Florence over the weekend, as there is no teaching on Saturday and Sunday.
The second week starts with sanding, glazing and high firing our porcelain elements which will have been bisque fired during the weekend. We then continue by applying various goldsmithing and jewellery techniques to the porcelain elements that the students have created. The last day of the course is dedicated to the patination and plating of brass, the metal we predominantly use for settings. Those wishing to do so can can also make some silver settings, however they will need to purchase the silver at their own expense during our study trip to Florence.
Students arrive on Sunday, August 29, and departure will be on Saturday, September 11, 2027.
To provide a generous workspace and the opportunity to closely interact with the instructor, maximum of six students will be accepted on this course. Previous experience with porcelain is required to participate, however experience with goldsmithing is not necessary. Teaching hours are from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The studio is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
On every class day a delicious lunch will be served.
At booking, you may select your preferred room type, choosing between: standard lodging, single or shared room; upgraded accommodation; private apartment. Please note that depending on the availability, certain types at times may not be offered.
Luca Tripaldi lives and works in Florence, Italy. After training in graphic design, he worked for ten years as a sculptor and set designer, making masks and special effects for renowned opera houses like The Scala in Milan and The Arena of Verona. In 1998 he opened his own ceramic studio. He uses porcelain, preferring unglazed surfaces and is known for his Contemporary Art Jewelry. He conducts an intensive teaching activity, holding workshops throughout Europe and the United States. He never gets tired of experimenting, and he dedicates particular attention to the pedagogical aspects, with the aim of making learning easier for his students. www.lucatripaldi.com @lucatripaldiporcelainandmore
| Artist | Luca Tripaldi |
|---|---|
| Length of course | 10 working days in the studio |
| Level | Some experience is desirable |
| Technique | Jewellery, Porcelain |
| Deposit for booking | Euro 900 |
| Workshop fee (without lodging) | Euro 2980 |
The costs listed include both the workshop fee and the lodging:
ON SITE
Upgraded accommodation in single room with private bathroom and A/C. Final course cost: Euro 4180
Upgraded accommodation in single room with double bed and private bathroom and A/C. Final course cost: Euro 4280
PRIVATE APARTMENT
A maximum 15 minute-walk from the studio, with A/C, one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and outdoor space. Final course: Euro 4420
The workshop fee includes the following:
Tuition of 6 – 8 hours per day;
Studio open 11 hours per day;
All materials and firings;
Freshly prepared three course lunch with wine on all working days;
Welcome breakfast, Welcome and Final dinner;
Coffee break in the mornings and in the evenings.
A deposit is required at registration. After submitting the registration form, you may proceed with the payment on-line. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, the registration will be confirmed once the deposit has been accredited in our banking account. The balance must be paid at the beginning of the course.
Cancellation
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration without incurring any penalties. In this case, the deposit will be fully refunded, in accordance with Articles 53 and following of the Italian Consumer Code and relevant EU consumer protection legislation. In the event of a dispute, the competent court is Florence, Italy. After the 14-day withdrawal period, no refund of the deposit will be issued.
If you cancel within 60 days prior to the course start date, you will receive a voucher for the deposit amount, minus a €50 administration fee. The voucher can be used for the current edition of the Programme or the edition held the following year.
Force majeure
If a course cannot be held due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the deposit will be fully refunded.
If students must withdraw due to exceptional collective circumstances beyond their control, such as a pandemic or civil disorder, La Meridiana reserves the right to offer them a voucher for an alternative course. The deposit will be transferred to the new course.
