10 Week Beginners'/Improvers' Silver Jewellery Making- Wednesday 11am-1pm
Description
This comprehensive improver's course aims to deepen your understanding of traditional handmade silver-smithing practices, and give you experience of a wider range of techniques in your jewellery-making practice. You will have the opportunity make a range of pieces including rings, pendants, stud and drop earrings. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: - Apply techniques learned to make items of silver jewellery including rings, stud and drop earrings, and pendants. - Make more complex silver jewellery with numerous solder joints. - Experience new methods for forming, shaping and finishing jewellery. You will be led in making certain pieces, although there will be opportunities for individual interpretations, to suit your own tastes. There are therefore no materials fee included in the cost of the course – you can purchase silver from the tutor/you will be advised where to order from. The costs will be about £25-30 per term, depending on what you make. Tools will be provided but if you have any, feel free to bring your own. Some manual dexterity is needed, but individual needs can usually be accommodated. Please get in contact via the 'message the tutor' button if you wish to discuss your particular requirements.
What's included in the price?
You will have the opportunity make a number of pieces including rings, pendants, bangles and/or earrings. Tools will be provided, but if you have any, feel free to bring your own.
Duration
10 weeks
Cancellation policy
Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts
Maker
I am the owner of The Silver Bird, an artisan, handmade jewellery business based in a semi-rural village in Cambridgeshire. I am a member of the Guild of Jewellery Designers, have a Diploma in Fine Jewellery making, and am currently completing a Diploma in Advance Jewellery making with the London Jewellery School. I specialise in bespoke commissions and customisable pieces, as well as teaching traditional jewellery making techniques. I retired from an 18 year career as a secondary DT teacher, over which time I taught hundreds of young people how to design and make novel, beautiful products, by exploring material properties and generating unique forms. During this time, I completed a Masters of Education at Cambridge University, focusing on creative idea generation and development. This gave me a particular passion for biomimicry; using and replicating the nature through product design to make unique textures and forms. I have taught adult silver jewellery making classes in several schools, and have set up my own teaching school in Pampisford, Cambridge. Jewellery making with silver is easily the most addictive thing I have ever done. And that's before we talk about the enchanting world of gemstones! Whether you are into contemporary or classic pieces, you are learning for pleasure, or you want your own career change, I can help you fall in love with the processes and achieve your jewellery-making potential. Contact me for an informal chat if you'd like more information of what I can offer. I look forward to making with you.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Intermediate level
- Parking provided
FAQs
As long as you have basic knowledge of general silver-smithing skills, you would be very welcome to attend this course. This may include bending and forming, making a simple soldering joints, basic piercing, applying texture or polishing via hand or machine. Attending a single full day workshop would give you enough skills to work with!
For those with more knowledge, projects will be differentiated to give more challenge and practice. If in doubt, do get in contact.
Unfortunately the learning studio is not currently wheelchair accessible.
You may wish to bring a pen, notebook and apron. Jewellery making involves detailed work on a small scale so if you wear glasses for reading etc, these will definitely be useful! If you suffer from any respiratory conditions, you might like to bring a dust mask. If you have long hair, please bring something to tie your hair back.
You will be led in making certain pieces, although there will be opportunities for individual interpretations, to suit your own tastes. There are therefore no materials fee included in the cost of the course – you can purchase silver from the tutor/you will be advised where to order from. The costs will be about £25-30 per term, depending on what you make. Tools will be provided but if you have any, feel free to bring your own.
