Available for any skill level.
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From excellent bezels to elegant wirework and finally setting your own stones
This training focuses on clear systematic approaches and addresses all the complexities and processes involved. Finally when ready to set your own stones, you have gained freedom and independence to complete your projects from beginning to end.
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When punches dance
This ancient and timeless technique can be used in traditional and beautiful modern ways. It is based on a fascinating mind-body process, leading to the perfect mix of control and letting go. You will be surprised to see how our training can help your market profile.
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Thinking through and experiencing steps to better castings
While working on precision models in silver or wax, learn how to refine your awareness, sensitivity and imagination to be able to think inside and outside the mold.
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From S-Hooks to invisible clasps on necklaces, chains and bracelets
Classical European theory combined with a systematic practice will lift you to a new level of proficiency in creating clasp mechanisms that really work. You choose the project and together we’ll make it snap.
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Going for the right plan sounds easy, but how can you avoid common traps?
This course will benefit professionals who want to add new functionality to their designs and build on their expertise. But even for first time students this well balanced mix of theory and bench work gives you a solid understanding of the essentials.
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Cool look—hot soldering; techniques for perfection
With its high melting point and different ways of handling, platinum work requires a solid base of technical abilities. Caution, patience and precision as well as understanding silver, gold, and white gold fabrication are essential to help you shift your practice up to more challenging platinum techniques.
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Come with your toughest questions and Martinus will help you find real answers. He checks habits, tools use and mental blocks behind your approaches and can free you from limitations we all experience from time to time.
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This can be anything—an idea you don’t know how to start, or how to structure a complex series of ideas leading to a new style or concept. Bring your samples, sketches, ideas and together we can pave the path to success. You will find Martinus’ respect and protection of the rights to your creative ideas.
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Certification of your training and your accomplishments is provided upon request.
Fees: All subjects and levels are equally priced at $290 for 14 hours of instruction.
Are you creative and inspired, but your technical abilities
are holding you back?
Martinus can certainly help you improve your technical abilities. He has vast knowledge in hand fabrication and industrial production techniques to share with you. With decades of experience he can find answers to all your questions. His training is based on classical European jewelry making processes and his refinement comes from over thirty years in business. With his friendly personalized coaching style, Martinus’ support begins where your experience leaves off and he expertly guides you through your projects at all stages.
 Training tailored to your needs!
You will be surprised how Martinus is able to incorporate your talent, knowledge and insights into his approach. There is no need to adapt to course structures - here you study what you want. You can work your way up into areas new to you, or continue developing your specialty. While being guided to new levels of proficiency, you will experience your creativity unfolding.
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Martinus’ Qualifications
In 1980, after eight years of rigorous training in Germany, the Jewelers Guild awarded Martinus a Master Status together with the Grand Training Qualification for all levels and subjects in goldsmithing.
Read about his exhibitions, awards, patents and more in our Profile Section. |
Refine your technique
Prerequisite for all additional studies are one weekend course and familiarity with the studio and tools.
Monday evening studio time provides you with the opportunity to practice and achieve refinement and greater elegance in your work, to experience routine and to lift your skills to higher levels. Fees: Up to 4 students, supervised for 4 hours at $60 per student (depending on availability).
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Apprenticeship training can be made available. We offer week-long sessions geared towards the improvement of your personal goals at any level. $690 for 40 hours, lower rates apply for 2nd to 6th week at $630 per week. |
Become Martinus’ Apprentice
Professionals who want to assist Martinus complete his own projects should call to arrange a meeting to discuss this special challenge. This opportunity to work in production at the highest trade standards is without charge but requires a work commitment of at least 12 weeks. Remuneration can be negotiated based on skill level and production quality.
Positions available—look at the Inquiry and Application Form for more details.
Funding
Students with formal training and trade experience can apply for grants at the B.C. Arts Council. Their Project Assistance Training Resources Program offers funding to secure or reintegrate employees into their field of expertise (six months to two years). Martinus is open to discussing timeframes and proposals with you individually.
For further information contact Martinus 250-538-1730 directly for a conversation or email martinus@saltspring.com
Bookings: See our Inquiry and Application Form.
To determine compatibility and learn what to expect of each other, let’s arrange a weekend course first.
Wondering what to bring—check our FAQ on the Overview Page. |
Testimonials
Sometimes Martinus is referred to as Martin Ebbers. More on Profile.
Dione,
Salt Spring Island, BC
After my recent workshops with Martin Ebbers, I found him to be a most respectful and attentive teacher; totally focused on guiding me to express my own ideas.
What a rare opportunity to be able to learn, fully supported by the incredible depth of experience and skill shown by this Master Goldsmith, who shares with such generosity.
Anne,
Galiano Island, BC
I was delighted to discover Martin Ebbers of Martinus Studio on Salt Spring Island. Martinus’ studio is bright and equipped with custom-built benches and a lifetime’s collection of the tools of the goldsmith’s trade. Martin’s own beautiful work is displayed in a gallery portion of the studio.
I know of no other teacher of this caliber or of any other studio offering such individually relevant short courses of instruction for jewellers on Canada’s west coast. The fact that Martinus is located on an island endowed with exceptional natural and cultural beatitude is icing on the cake…”
Julie,
Victoria BC
The time I spent with Martin in his studio was incredibly inspirational. Martin is a fantastic teacher. His knowledge and understanding of metal and the craft of jewellery making is infinite and his generosity of information and skill enhancing tips is limitless.
As I have been making jewellery for three years, I felt that after my classes with Martinus, my own skill level reached a new height. I continue to build upon the foundation I learnt from Martin and have developed a line of jewellery that was created out of my time spent learning from him. Martin's studio is warm and inviting, just like his nature and you immediately feel comfortable with him. He teaches with patience and is intuitive to the individual needs of his students and their goals. I would not hesitate to recommend someone take classes/a workshop with Martin, whether you are new to jewellery or have experience in the field. It is inspiring and humbling to watch a master at work at his craft and Martin is a true master. I thank him for his time, patience and generosity of both knowledge and spirit. I am thankful I found Martin and his studio; he has helped me grow as a jeweller and has enabled me to advance the quality of my work.
Emma,
Vancouver BC
Martin, I can’t thank you enough for such an inspiring, fun and informative weekend in your beautiful studio. I am amazed at how much I learned which surpassed my expectations.
It is rare to meet such a passionate, humble and highly skilled person with patience and the willingness to share their extensive knowledge. I feel recharged and inspired to reach new levels with my work. I just hope I can retain it all. PS. Sign me up whenever you have time!! |
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The Martinus touch and the roots of creativity
“Please don’t expect advice on how to copy my style. My clean, simple way of creating jewelry is a result of more than thirty years of learning and experience. And it is not as simple as it looks! With my knowledge I can help you avoid failure and frustration in your own work, provide you with examples and guide your observation. My support will help you to become technically grounded, thus unfolding your creative potential to develop uniqueness and independence in your own style”. -M-
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The concepts behind Martinus’ approach to learning
I have always had the desire to understand how better to integrate our bodies with our minds to achieve what we are trying to create as jewelers. I was never taught a specific system of how to excel by combining body awareness with mental observations. What is the right feeling of a tool, like a file in our hands for example, and what should a filed surface look like? Ultimately, what do these two have to do with each other? Time permitting, the concepts and the structure of projects can be taught fairly easily, but the sensing and observing qualities come from the student’s capacity to be aware of everything at the same time—as we will find out.
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Hand-Eye Coordination
Once you can remember the sense of a motion—coming from muscle positions in your back, your arms, hands and your fingers—you can repeat a task with confidence. That means you can steadily execute the same file stroke over and over again, and achieve the surface quality you want. As your hands are crafting your piece, the eyes need to continuously watch the progress while your mind compares your observations (physical and visual) with your knowledge base. By comparing your knowledge base with mine we will strengthen your ability to anticipate and as a result you will be more confident in your conceptual planning.
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"With your increased awareness of these fundamentals, I am sure
that I can help you speed up your learning,
make designing easier
and help you achieve those fulfilling results you are looking for.”
Thank you,
Martinus
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