I've been working with Peter Ostwald for over a year now and I have learned so very much. I learned jewelry making in college many years ago and have always wanted to create really unique pieces. I am an artist and I primarily paint. Being able to come to Peter with a sketch of an idea and having him guide me to making it an actual work of wearable art is an amazing process. It's my favorite two hours of my otherwise crazy busy week as I juggle my art and a full-time sales job. I cannot recommend Peter highly enough, whether you are brand new to creating or a seasoned artist, his teaching style, creativity, and guidance are unparalleled. I am looking forward to studying with him for many more years. read more

Ostwald Workshops Jewelry Classes - I came in with a sketch and Peter helped me make them into a reality! Unicorn Earrings! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Oakland, California

I took Jewelry making and metalsmithing in college about 15 years ago and really wanted to pick it up again. I also needed something creative to add to my week to balance out my super technical job. Peter has been a godsend. He's super laid back, non judgmental, and has really helped me tap back into my creative side. This is my favorite 2 hours of the week and for such a reasonable price, I can't recommend it enough. read more

Ostwald Workshops Jewelry Classes - Finished 2 projects today!! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Oakland, California

I love my classes with Peter! It's definitely a high point in my week. I've already started a few different projects and learned so much about the process along the way. Peter lets you decide what you want to make and guides you through to the finished product. His workshop has everything you would need and he is extremely knowledgeable about different techniques. It' pretty impressive what his students have accomplished (he has multiple albums of their work so I posted some pictures) and I'm really proud of what I've made. It's a very relaxed atmosphere and really reasonable for private lessons. I would highly recommend taking classes here! read more

See all

Over the past 8 months I have had the joy of learning from Peter Ostwald each week. After a long (and sometimes stressful) day at work it is like therapy to go to his sun filled Oakland studio and hammer on metals. In the beginning, I was insecure about my ability to draw. Peter assured me that "if you can doodle you can do it." I've created a brass and turquoise bracelet I wear almost everyday, an opal ring, a brass bib necklace, and now I am working on a large metal wall hanging that will be accompanied with fiber arts. Thanks to Peter's patience and positivity I have gone from someone almost too timid to doodle to creating an array of different metal pieces. Needless to say, I highly recommend his classes! read more

See all

I had done some silver work in the past (ages ago!) and so was reluctant to join a beginners class. At the same time, I was so rusty, I knew I would need to start from scratch in a lot of ways. I was looking for something like an apprenticeship, and Peter Ostwald was the answer. He is a brilliant craftsman and a kind-hearted man. No matter what I propose, he is ready to help me tackle the project. He provides safe space and loads of support for creative brainstorming, and I learn highest quality techniques along the way. Peter is serious and respectful. He treats each piece I make like a potential heirloom, and that is a rare quality in a teacher of any craft. My time with Peter is a highlight of my week; finding him and working with him took the edge off a difficult year -- and I got to finish it with gifts of rings to my two daughters! read more

I wanted to learn how to make jewelry, but didn't want to sign up for a long course where I had to make a bunch of things I didn't really like. Happily I found Peter Ostwald, a fine jeweler who offers private classes at his lovely studio near downtown Oakland. I can't recommend him highly enough. He is funny, talented, and great to work with. He lets you design the projects and teaches you everything you need to know as you go. He works with people young and old. He'll tell you exactly what you need to buy, but never tell you to purchase anything unreasonable. And you can work at your own pace. In a few short weeks I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to going back soon. If you have any interest in jewelry or metalworking, call him. You'll be glad you did. Great guy. read more

What a lovely afternoon! Peter Ostwald leads such fun jewelry making. He immediately helped me bring my design to the next level and graciously guided me at moments when I wanted to refine my technique. The conversation (and sawing) was so engaging that the afternoon just disappeared. My favorite Groupon ever! Totally worth every penny! read more

I am new to metal jewelry making. I found Peter Ostwald online and thrilled to be his student! With 8 hours of learning & much work under my belt so far, I am convinced this man will eventually teach me to be an accomplished silversmith! Mr. Ostwald patiently guides one through the creative process while allowing one to work at ones own speed. I enjoy working on my own in his studio, however his ears are always attune to the sawing, scraping, filing, etc, so he can offer directions & ideas to be considered. Peter is amazing & I look forward to his class every week! read more

One hell of a teacher. Started off taking classes as part of a Groupon deal, but I've been a returning student ever since. Once I finish the project I'm working on, I'll upload pictures. read more

Although it has been some time since I studied jewelry making with Peter Ostwald, to this day I am reaping the benefits from the three years I spent working with him. Of course there are the beautiful pieces of handmade jewelry that, when I receive compliments, I am able to say I made myself. In the beginning, I only needed to have a vision of what I wanted to create and Peter would patiently take me through the steps required to bring that vision to fruition. In addition to the jewelry, I have taken away work habits and creative techniques that I have been able to apply to other media. I learned to work with (some) patience and to enjoy and relax in the creative process itself. I owe this in large part to the knowledge, artistry, and kindness of Peter Ostwald. read more

I have been going to Peter's shop for over a year. It is amazing how much I learned from him. He is a lot of fun to work with and he gives you his full attention during the time your are in his shop. I made jewelry and and a large wind-spin so far. Going to his shop is the highlight in my weekly life. I do not know how to thank him for all the wonderful skills he teaches me. In addition, he is a very interesting person, deeply involved in all aspects of art. read more

Peter is awesome! This past January I decided to finally get serious about learning how to make my jewelry designs come to life. I researched all my options in SF and the East Bay, and was thrilled to find Peter Ostwald. Unique from other options out there, Peter offers private one-on-one instruction at his awesome West Oakland studio. Lessons are typically once a week for two hours at a time, and the cost is exceptionally reasonable. Lessons focus on designing and creating one piece of your choosing at a time, from start to finish. Never one to make things easy on myself, I decided on a fairly challenging ring design as my first project, however the benefit was that it provided me with an abundance of learning opportunities and I was able to start honing a variety of jewelry making / silversmithing skills week by week. Peter patiently and expertly guided me through the entire process over the course of several weeks, resulting in a finished product that I am very proud of and friends are impressed with! Peter is an exceptionally talented metal artist and jewelry maker, and seems to truly love being able to share his lifetime of experience with his students. Plus he is super kind, funny and laid-back, which makes the lessons and the general learning environment really comfortable and enjoyable. I can't recommend him highly enough and look forward to continuing to learn and grow as an artist under his wing. read more

Attending Peter's workshop was the best decision I could have made. Creatively speaking, he has helped me to elevate my skills to a higher level. He works patiently with me on whatever project I present. The completed projects are always something I am proud of. I've learned so much and am able to work independently and faster because he has shown me technique and standards. I love my time in his workshop! read more

Peter is a great person and teacher. He is easy going and patient and laid back. I finally really wanted to be able to make fine jewelry with soldering, something I had never really done before. Peter is teaching me each week. We are working on a project of my own choosing. He is helping me with all of the techniques as we go, and how to fix the imperfections that all new students make. He is aways encouraging which is wonderful because I tend to judge my work harshly. I had a previous teacher, who was still taking classes herself, that jewelry making might just not be for me. Well, she was wrong. Peter is showing me things that she never did and correcting some of the things that she taught me that weren't correct. Also, I cannot draw at all, but with Peter's tips and tricks, I am able to draw a jewelry design that I can use to make beautiful pieces. Without his help and encouragement, I never would have thought I could draw at all. He said if I could doodle I could do this. And he was right! His fees are also very reasonable, especially for one-on-one instruction. He has the perfect personality to be a teacher, and has all the skills to teach me everything I want to know. I can't recommend him highly enough. He is so good, that I am willing to drive from Sacramento to Oakland every week to be taught by him. read more