Yellowstone Agate Workshops

Mammoth Hotel is open for DAY USE ONLY this winter season. Overnight lodging is not available at Mammoth Hotel. More details can be found here.

Inspired by Yellowstone Presents:
Masterclass Workshops with Paul and Patricia Gates of Yellowstone Agate Jewelry

Bonsai Styled Wire Trees Sculpture Class

In this class, students will construct two trees to take with them at the end of the class. One will be an aluminum wire tree with leaves made from beads. The other will be a copper wire tree made in a windswept style. The techniques employed in these two projects will give students the skills to make additional styles of trees. We will show and describe these additional trees at the class.

We will cover the tools needed and how to use them, the types of wire and gauges that work best, a variety of ways to construct leaves and branches, and ways a finished tree can be displayed, including various bases that may be used.

We will show and describe ways these wire techniques and projects can be translated into jewelry making. Bonsai Trees made of wire

Saturday, February 11, 2023 – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

Price: $70 and includes:

All needed tools
Wire, beads, and accessories
Box lunch
Coffee/tea/water during the workshop

Wire Working Jewelry Class

In this class, students will construct a wire-wrapped pendant made from a natural snowflake or mahogany obsidian stone and copper wire. We will also make a wire heart pendant that will use the technique of wire weaving and incorporating beads. These two projects will give students the skills to pursue more advanced projects. The advanced projects will be shown in class. Obsidian Wire wrapped pendant

We will cover the required tools and their usage, the types and gauges of wire used in wire wrapping, and how to select stones for wire wrapping. We will cover ways to finish the pendants by making cord necklaces with sliding knots. In both classes, safety concerns will be covered.

Saturday, February 11, 2023 – 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

Price: $75 and includes:

All needed tools
Wire, stones, beads, and accessories
Coffee/tea/water and light refreshments during the workshop

About Paul and Patricia Gates, Yellowstone Agate Jewelry

World-class trout fishing on the Yellowstone River drew Paul and Patricia Gates to Livingston, Montana. During many fishing trips, they discovered beautiful pieces of Montana agate and jasper in the gravel beds of the river. After retiring from more than twenty years of instrumental music teaching, they turned their passion for these local treasures into “Yellowstone Agate Jewelry.” Paul and Patricia cut, carve, polish, and handcraft Montana agate and other local stones into exquisite, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.

Recently, Pat and Paul retired from their musical careers where they performed with the Bozeman, Billings, and Helena Symphonies. Patricia performs on viola and flute, and Paul performs on bassoon, contrabassoon, and various saxophones. Read more about them on our blog or visit their website.