Inspirational! Barbara is so talented and clever. It has been my absolute pleasure and good luck to have found Barbara Kennedy. I have learned so much. Barbara is patient, kind, professional, amazingly creative, wickedly funny, quick as a whip and has become a good friend (I hope). I will continue to have lessons in the hopes of absorbing as much knowledge as I can from this wonderful lady! Thank you thank you thank you Barb read more

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The classes are amazing! Barbara does an excellent job of walking you through the process to create your own masterpiece! I've taken quite a number of classes and also enjoy going back for studio hours to continue to develop my skills. read more

Barbara is an amazing teacher! My husband and I took her ring making class. Highly recommend it! Barbara is patient, kind and helpful. She is fun to make jewelry with. Her years of experience in the jewelry business has given her the coolest stories. What a wealth of knowledge! read more

I took some clip earrings in to be converted to posts. Reasonable prices and quick work. Love the care taken in removing previous support of the clip. I cannot tell that they were ever clip earrings. read more

Great place to rejuvenate your old jewelry and learn from a pro. Barbara can also put (retail) values on your gold and silver pieces. Highly recommend. read more

Barbara is such a patient, caring teacher. Her style adapts to the learner which is ideal for me. When I look like I need help or when I ask for special tips, she does not hesitate to show me. She helped me set my first bezel on a ring and continues to hone my soldering skills. The atmosphere of her studio makes me feel at home with music playing and plenty of equipment to use for various projects. I look forward to continue learning from Barbara!!! read more

I was going to be in the area for 2 months so looked online for a beginning jewelry making class and found Barbara Kennedy's shop - Artisans of Metal and Thread - she responded to my email with lots of flexibility for my tight schedule. I was able to set up 4 semi -private classes in the evenings with my son. What a great experience - we learned lots - took home our treasures and enjoyed our time together, and Barbara's expert teaching and reasonable rates. Barbara's is a very qualified and experienced jeweler and crafts person, she customizes her teaching to your goals. I plan to return for more classes. read more

Barbra was amazing. She was able to squeeze us in last minute to make our wedding bands. It was a blast, she walked us through each step until we made the rings of our dreams. read more

A cement fountain colapsed on my hand. My wedding ring saved my fingers from breaking, but was badly crushed. I decided to have it completely redesigned. I came up with a concept and Barbara made it a reality!! I love my ring. I'm going to have Barbara add a couple more diamonds to it soon. She is a true artist!! read more

I have always wanted to learn to make jewelry. After researching all my options in the portland area I found Barbara online and decided to give it a try. It has been six months of once a week classes and it has quickly become my favorite day of the week. I love her and what she has taught me. I have. Brought her my own ideas and she has guided me there perfectly and patiently. I have sold most of the pieces I have made already and cannot wait to see what comes of this new path! read more

I made a beautiful bracelet here yesterday and am very impressed with the level of teaching and ability of Barbara Kennedy (fine jeweler and proprietor). I've taken classes from a large variety of teachers, and Barbara is the best. Her studio is fabulous as well. She has all the tools and resources necessary for making just about anything. I will be back again soon! Loved this place!!!! read more

I have had the pleasure of taking a class here with my wife. It was a lot of fun, my wife got to leave with two bracelets. One that she had made and one that I had made. I have also gotten several ear rings as gifts from Barbra and every-time they are A big hit. Thank you for all your help. read more

Barbara is the only one I trust with my wedding ring! I had 2 prongs completely broken off and she re-sized it and I decided to have it plated in white gold..... It looks like a totally different ring after 30 years of marriage! I struggle with letting it go for any length of time, but it is well worth it .....especially since I could have lost the stone. I love knowing who I can trust with my jewelry! read more

Barbara is an excellent teacher. She takes the time necessary to show you how to create the piece and then lets you do it. You get the one-on-one help you need to succeed. I would highly recommend her classes! read more

Absolutely adore this place and the owner! Barbara created a custom curriculum for me to learn exactly what I wanted to learn about silversmithing. She's thorough in her teaching and also doesn't make you feel dumb when you totally goof up! Her patience and abundance of knowledge make the learning process so much fun! After taking lessons with her, I now own my own jewelry making business and am able to pay my bills doing something I really love! Would absolutely recommend Artisans of Metal and Thread to anyone that needs any jewelry fixed, any custom pieces made, or anyone looking to learn the trade. read more

Greatly appreciated the one on one training that took my jewelry to the next level! Highly recommend it.

I've taken four of Barbara's classes and a private lesson as well. She is a very knowledgeable, skilled artist and a wonderful teacher. I went to each class with so many questions and she'd answer them all. Barbara would even let me tailor the class project to my preference; such as finishing the bracelet with a toggle as opposed to the hook and eye. I would have no hesitation in recommending her fun and informative classes. read more