Studio Space in Denver?

[Former_Member]

Hello Team! Long time no chat...

I just reopened my etsy shop, but the more I do with glass beads the more I want to learn metalworking. The problem with this is that I live in an apartment, and I don't know how the landlord will take to me using a torch in my apartment or even on my patio - especially with the fires ravaging Colorado. :(

I went on craigslist to find studio space that rents by the hour, as I figure I could probably do the cutting, polishing and prep work in my apartment and just do the flame work at a studio. I've tried googling and looking on Craigslist for a studio for rent, and it appears that there is space for just about everything but metalworking.

Does anyone have any ideas on where I should look? Or how much it usually costs? I'm finding anywhere from $15 to $60 an hour, with some discounts for weekly/monthly commitments.

I'm not looking for immediate move in yet, as this will be my first strike out into metalworking but hey, I gotta start somewhere! Any help will be most appreciated!

[WhittyWireJewelry]

Have you taken in metal smithing classe? Some places will rent torch time once you have taken a class from them and they are assured of your skills. There are 2 metal smithing Schools in the Denver Area. Denver School of metal arts and Clear Creek Academy of Jewelry and Metal Arts. I also believe that the parks program near Thornton has metal smithing classes. I don't know of particular places that rent an entire studio place though.
I live in a condo and have the same dilemma. I do use a small butane torch for smaller items like small bezels and earrings or even some pendants. What I end up doing is sawing, shaping everything ahead of time for bigger projects, then get 4 hrs of torch time just for soldering......... I also took some glass bead classes and Bella studio has rented torch time to me for glass working, but I had also previously taken classes from them.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Pamela! That's good information!

I'd love to take some metal smithing classes, but until now the only ones I knew of were too far away or else would be semester long classes at ACC or Metro. I will definitely look into metalworking classes at the schools you suggested. :)

[WillowSwitchDesigns]

Here is an awesome place. Never been myself, but I know a couple people who go here http://www.clubworkshop.com/ They have classes and space for all kinds of messy, dirty kind of art :) Hope it helps...

[WillowSwitchDesigns]

Ohhhh...and it's cool because it's a monthly rate, no hourly, no you can only come at this time or whatever. The people I know who go love it....