Meet our Instructors
Laura Q
Laura earned her BFA in Metals and Graphic Design from the University of Texas at El Paso, studying under master metalsmith Rachelle Thiewes. For more than 30 years, she has built a career as a professional artist, metalsmith, jewelry designer, and instructor. Since making San Antonio her home in 1998, she has developed lasting relationships with private collectors, galleries, and jewelry shops throughout the U.S. and Mexico.
As the founder and designer behind Laura Q Designs, Laura maintains an active studio practice creating one-of-a-kind jewelry while continuing to teach and share the craft she loves. For nearly 10 years, she has taught metalsmithing, most notably at the Southwest School of Art, now part of the University of Texas San Antonio, where she has had the privilege of introducing generations of students to the possibilities of working with metal.
Flame & Form Metals Studio + Gallery is the realization of a dream Laura has carried for years: to create more than a place to make jewelry—a welcoming, creative community where people can learn a craft, experiment, challenge themselves, and feel genuinely proud of what they make.
30+ years of making. Nearly 10 years of teaching. One big dream brought to life.
Denise McCoy is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey has spanned metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, theatre, costume and set design, and mixed media drawing. She earned her BA in Fine Art from the University of Toledo/Toledo Museum of Art and attended Carnegie Mellon University’s Costume and Set Design.
After years focused on mixed media drawing, Denise metalsmithing work brings a fresh, artistic perspective to jewelry making. She is especially passionate about pearl necklace design and assembly, exploring creative ways to combine pearls, metal, texture, and unexpected details into distinctive, wearable pieces.
We are thrilled to have Denise teaching basic metalsmithing classes at Flame&Form. Her broad artistic experience and thoughtful approach make her an inspiring guide for students eager to explore the fundamentals of working with metal.