Anita Mills is an American artist, designer and experienced educator with a lifelong passion for art, craft and creative exploration.
Originally from West Texas and now based in North Carolina, Anita holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics and Printmaking and a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Art History. She taught art and art history at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota for 12 years and now works as a full-time artist and workshop instructor.
Her creative practice spans a variety of materials and techniques, with a particular interest in jewellery, metalsmithing and mixed-media art.
Anita long time friend of Mulranny Arts and joined us as an Artist in Residence in 2025 and has since become a regular and much-valued member of our teaching programme. We are delighted to welcome her back to share her wealth of knowledge, creativity and passion for jewellery making.
Creating Jewellery with Glass Beads and Found Objects
A Three-Day Jewellery Making Workshop
with Anita Mills
th, th & th ber 2027
10am to 5pm each day
All materials and lunch included.
€
Transform Your Treasured Objects into Unique Wearable Art
Do you have a collection of beautiful glass beads, treasured keepsakes or interesting found objects that you've always wanted to turn into something special?
Join artist and jewellery maker Anita Mills at Mulranny Arts for a three-day workshop where you'll learn how to transform your precious objects into beautiful, handcrafted jewellery.
Whether it's a bead collected on your travels, a favourite little keepsake or something you've treasured for years, you'll discover how to incorporate these meaningful objects into your own unique designs, creating a necklace, brooch, cuff or ring that tells a story.
Working primarily with copper and brass, you'll explore a variety of metalsmithing techniques to design and fabricate your own jewellery.
With Anita's expert guidance, you'll learn how to bring together different materials, textures and treasured objects to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.
Give your treasured objects a new life – and create jewellery that is uniquely yours.
What You'll Learn
You'll explore a range of metalsmithing techniques, including:
Design and composition – learning how to incorporate glass beads and found objects into necklaces, brooches, cuffs or rings.
Working with different metals – designing and fabricating jewellery using copper and brass, with the option of incorporating your own sterling silver materials.
Creating bezels and settings – learning how to securely hold and showcase your chosen objects.
Chains, links and pins – explore fabrication techniques.
Clasps and connections – exploring practical and decorative ways to assemble your pieces.
Finishing techniques – adding those final touches that transform your design into a beautiful piece of wearable art.
Over the three days, you'll focus on creating one or two individual pieces, experimenting with design, developing your technical skills and transforming meaningful objects into something you can wear and treasure for years to come.
Who Is This Workshop For?
This is an intermediate-level workshop, ideal for those who have completed the Foundations in Jewellery & Metalsmithing course at Mulranny Arts, or who already have some experience with basic metalsmithing techniques.
It's an ideal opportunity for those wishing to develop their jewellery-making skills, explore new design possibilities and create something truly personal.
What to Bring
Students are encouraged to bring along a selection of glass beads, small found objects or treasured keepsakes that they would like to incorporate into their jewellery designs.
Copper and brass will be used during the workshop. If you would prefer to work with sterling silver, you are welcome to bring your own milled sterling silver or sterling silver wire to incorporate into your creations (nothing that needs melting or casting).
Please note: This workshop focuses on jewellery fabrication techniques and does not involve melting or casting metals.
Onsite accommodation available if required. Please contact us at 087 9208829 or info@mulrannyarts.com for accommodation enquiries or further details.