The Bolo

You’ll never again
have to wonder how
it’s made

The process of bolo-making has quickly become a coveted secret in the metalsmithing community. There is barely any content available anywhere on the internet describing how to create them, and not many smiths are willing to share their secrets. I don’t blame them- the process is far from intuitive and the solution is hard-earned.
Until today.
You’ll never again have to wonder how it’s made. This course will take you through the entire process of making a bolo, from bezel to polish, with every question answered between (and some you didn’t even know you had). The time of suffering for the solution has come to an end. Stop adding to your scrap pile and wishing that you could complete the bolo you’ve dreamt of- because now you can. It’s just one click away.

I came up with scraps.
I discovered one way to make them, but the mechanism that was required created gross limitations around the size of my piece. Dainty, smaller bolos were OUT.
It was this fact that drove me to decipher another way to build the bolo mechanism. Something that was more versatile and gave me greater flexibility around the size of what I wanted to create. I scoured instagram and Etsy to find ANY hint of what other smiths were making to hopefully inspire what would become my go-to bolo backing, to no avail. 

The search however didn’t prove to be a total waste of time. I did discover a bolo mechanism that I vowed to avoid because I just couldn’t get my head around how it could be handed down from generation to generation. THAT is the jewelry that we create around here. It’s the longevity factor that weighs most heavily in my mind while building my pieces and the same mindset that I work to bring into my courses.

After loads of experimenting, I finally arrived at the bolo mechanism that I use today. It offers me the versatility that I’m looking for, it’s simple, and it’s high quality that will last lifetimes.

If you learn one thing about me, let it be that I loathe limitations. When I’m up against a wall, I dig my way through. That’s exactly what I did here and now I’m turning it over to you

The years of trial and error. The endless web searches. The money wasted. The broken pieces. All of that learned experience is what you’re going to find within The Bolo Course. I did all of the work so you don’t have to! Consider this your permission to skip the line. Come on up to the front and get ready to make the heirloom bolo of your dreams.

This course is the very first of its kind - the only one like it to exist in the world. Bold, and factually accurate. 

I don’t do anything small. I think it’s a waste of your time to commit to expanding yourself only to be left feeling unsatisfied. 

Inside of The Bolo Course, we don’t just go over the basics of creating a bolo. We aren’t simply talking about a single mechanism on the back of your setting with a few pointers, only to send you on your merry way. That’s not how we do things here. We do MORE.

I want you to leave every course that I offer thinking “WOW! I can apply this knowledge in my work in so many ways! That was completely unexpected and more than I anticipated!”

We’re not just skimming the surface- we go DEEP. I’m taking you through the process of creating a bolo, from start to finish, two times.

From bezel to polish- we cover it all.

It was imperative for me to take you through this journey twice because of all that we touch on throughout the process. You’re learning how to work with silver balls and a shot plate. How to create stamped and domed embellishments. The ins and outs of organization while working with complex designs. Not to mention the differences between leather cord and silver chain, and soldering jump rings onto chain?!

There was no way that I could leave any of it out.
My years of wisdom have been infused into this content, and it’s yours for the taking.
During our time together, I remind you again and again that what we do is an incredible gift. That we are human creators and not machines. To honor the journey as you go and dare to have fun while doing it.
The Bolo Course is a wellspring of answers to some of the most-asked questions I receive. You will leave feeling empowered and knowledgeable. After you complete the course you will have attained a deep understanding of 4 different bolo mechanisms, 3 ways to solder jump rings onto chain, how to prepare your leather cord, polishing to a mirror finish in 2 steps, and so much more.
Why is The Bolo Course different?
Because I value answers and knowledge, and I leave no stone unturned.