Metal Arts Academy Auburn Teaches Handmade Jewelry with Heart

In Auburn, a unique school is preserving the timeless craft of handmade jewelry. Metal Arts Academy, founded by Michael and Rebecca, is more than a trade school it is a place where heritage, craftsmanship, and community come together. With a focus on skills-based training, honesty, and passion, the Academy is inspiring new generations of jewelers while honoring centuries-old traditions.

About Metal Arts Academy in Auburn

Metal Arts Academy began with Michael’s lifelong dedication to the craft of goldsmithing. His career started as an apprentice at Ben Cranist Incorporated, a San Francisco jewelry manufacturer known for creating one-of-a-kind hand-carved and chased jewelry. For six years, Michael immersed himself in a full machine shop environment, where he learned to make tools, set diamonds, and master every step of the jewelry-making process.

After decades of custom jewelry work and operating his own studio, Michael felt called to share his knowledge. In 2014, following a turning point in his life, he and Rebecca founded Metal Arts Academy in Auburn. Their mission was clear: keep the standard of craftsmanship alive, provide hands-on training, and ensure students leave with skills that last a lifetime.

How Michael Built a Legacy of Leadership

Michael describes himself as “a master of a dying art.” His training traces back to European traditions of apprenticeship, journeymanship, and mastery, where excellence in craftsmanship was paramount. By teaching, he passes on this lineage of knowledge. The benches at Metal Arts Academy even carry history, built around trays from the very factory where Michael apprenticed. These small details tie today’s students directly to the legacy of past generations.

Community Impact in Auburn

From the beginning, Auburn and Placer County have embraced Metal Arts Academy. The Placer Arts Council and Auburn city officials supported the school’s buildouts and expansions. Local artists milliners, ceramicists, painters, and chair makers quickly became part of the Academy’s community. Students often say walking into the space feels like finding their people, and that sense of belonging continues to grow.

The Academy also connects with the wider Placer arts community by participating in the Placer Artists Tour. Local Airbnb hosts even provide extended stays for students traveling from out of town, creating a support network that strengthens Auburn as a hub for craft education.

Why Metal Arts Academy Matters to the Community

At Metal Arts Academy, the focus is not on producing projects but on learning skills. Students often describe the experience as challenging but deeply rewarding. Beginners with no prior experience gain confidence, while retirees fulfill lifelong dreams of learning jewelry-making. Many students form lasting friendships and even small communities that extend beyond the classroom, taking new classes together and supporting each other’s creative growth.

The Academy offers open lab days, where past and current students can practice independently with guidance available. These open sessions reinforce the idea that learning never ends and skills improve with repetition. For Auburn, the Academy represents both a preservation of heritage and a dynamic space for community engagement.

Spotlight Interview Highlights

During the interview, Michael reflected on his mentor, Larry Vancranist, who guided him during his apprenticeship and later helped him start the Academy. The benches at the school include trays from Larry’s factory, symbolizing continuity of craft. Though Larry passed away before completing a large press for the Academy, his influence remains woven into the school’s identity.

Rebecca emphasized that honesty and integrity guide their work. They tell students to “trust the process” and maintain high standards. Whether filing, soldering, or stone-setting, every detail matters. The Academy’s values tradition, integrity, and excellence resonate deeply with their students.

Advice from Michael to Entrepreneurs

Michael encourages aspiring jewelers and entrepreneurs not to back down from challenges. Jewelry-making is difficult, but persistence brings breakthroughs. He reminds students that skill comes through patience and practice, and that passion is the driving force behind true craftsmanship. His own journey from apprentice to teacher demonstrates that dedication to a craft can evolve into a meaningful legacy.