Recommendations for West Coast Classes

[Nick_of_time]

Hey Folks,
My interest is engraving guns, mainly muzzle loaders. I used H and C for a couple of years and then developed tendonitis. So I'm starting over again with a PulseGraver. Since I'm starting over, I thought I'd start with a class this time and fill in some of the huge gaps in my skill set. Any recommendations for classes? Hopefully near me on the West Coast. I'm in the middle of California between SF and LA. I know the Gem Institute of America has beginning classes, but i think they're mainly about jewelry. Has anyone been to one of those and has comments? Or know of others around here?
Thanks,
=Nick

 

[dhall]

Hi Nick,
The engraving class taught at GIA in Carlsbad, CA is indeed a beginning class, but is is focused on ornamental engraving. The emphasis is simply learning fundamental cuts through a series of 11 practice plates. Many styles and types of designs and coverage are employed to help folks work through various technical challenges that arise when engraving. Particular attention is paid to proper set-up, ergonomics, work-holding and working with a microscope, if so desired. It is offered as a 5-day class, 7 hours per day, M-F, for a total of 35 hours of instruction/class time, from 8 am - 4 pm, with an hour lunch break. It is also offered as a 10-day class, 3.5 hours per day (2 weeks, M-F), from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm, for currently enrolled students at GIA and those within commuting distance to Carlsbad, CA.
To check it out further, www.gia.edu Click on the "Alumni" tab and then "Continuing Education". Scroll down to "Ways to Learn" and choose "In-Person". All the various classes are listed chronologically, so scroll down until you see "Hand Engraving Fundamentals".

Thank you,
Doug