OQZO studio is hands-down the best equipped metals studio I have ever seen. The owners have created a terrific resource for beginning Metalsmiths to learn, both from their own experience as well as from some of the best known instructors in the business. Whether you're a beginner who doesn't know wire from sheet, or an experienced 'smith looking to pick up new skills, THIS IS THE PLACE for you. Set on wooded acreage in the lovely, historic town of Hillsborough, you will love the camaraderie with like-minded learners, and the openness and sharing of the instructors during the monthly weekend workshops covering a variety of Metalsmithing topics that range from etching to fabrication to enameling and more. Got skills, but no place to work? OQZO has you covered with affordable open studio times. If your toolbox is empty, you can fill it up at Oqzo - many of the tools are available for sale. (I am not aware of any other place in the state of NC that sells Metalsmithing tools, so this is an excellent resource!) Check out the website and sign up for a workshop. Class sizes are deliberately kept small, so everyone has room to work, and gets plenty of individual attention from the instructor. If you're looking for a great place to work, check it out! read more

Three days in Lynn's OQZO Metalsmith studio this past weekend was a jewelry maker's dream! The studio is absolutely pristine with a massive variety of tools and equipment at the ready. All of the work stations have their own bench with tools and equipment within arm's reach as well as ample lighting throughout the spacious and airy studio. It was very easy to stay working since you had everything you needed at your station(s) instead of waiting in line to get to the next step of the jewelry making project's process. Both Lynn (and Terry) and the guest instructor were very helpful during the workshop. Demonstrations of the technique we were learning could be seen at the teacher's jewelry bench or overhead on a screen which I found very convenient. If you want a day or more of whimsy in a lovely setting to create - this is the place! Lynn teaches a variety of jewelry classes and also has workshops with guest instructors that are also very accomplished. The studio is perfect for beginners and master metalsmiths alike..there is always something new to learn in the field of jewelry making and she is prepared with exactly what you need to make it. I am definitely coming back. read more