Silver jewellery – statement earrings with Laila Smith

Ref: S1D33363

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Places available

About this course

In this workshop you'll work with beautiful silver sheet and wire to create a truly unique pair of large dangling, balanced earrings. Wear them home or gift them to someone special!

Course Description

Spend a day making a pair of earrings that incorporate movement through articulation. Working in silver, you will leave with a beautiful, unique piece of jewellery.

After an introductory talk and display of several examples, you will explore and create textures in copper. Discussion will then take place regarding the various ways movement can be achieved in earrings. After sampling the way movement can be achieved in brass and copper, you will move on to working in silver. For those with some previous experience, you will be given the additional option of creating earrings with interchangeable components.

Stone setting will not be covered within this one-day class – please sign up to a specific stone setting course if you would like to work with gems.

Course Materials

Included

  • Soldering paint brush, solder, copper and silver wire and sheet, piercing saw blades and consumables are provided.
  • Please note, you will be given a specific amount of silver – if you would like to work bigger, you can purchase more silver from our Craft Shop.

What students need to bring

  • Any sheet or wire you may have and any silver ear findings
  • An apron
  • Shoes that cover your feet
  • Hair tie, if your hair is long

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Silver can be purchased from the College Shop, which stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings. These will be available in set sizes and lengths, suitable for a wide range of projects.
  • Copper and brass sheet and wire
  • Available from tutor:
  • Jump rings, earring fittings

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).

Timetable

Timetable for one day courses

Students should arrive by 9am for registration.

Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm

Lunch is included.

General Information

Tutors

Laila Smith

Laila Smith is a studio jeweller and tutor. Her mathematically inspired geometric jewellery is sold across the UK. She trained at Manchester Metropolitan University and then undertook a 15 month Fellowship in The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. She has 17 years teaching experience, both in further, higher education and leisure classes.

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Interested in a career in metalwork?

Our Foundation Degree in Metalwork will enhance your employment prospects, give you the skills to set up as a self-employed craftsperson or allow you to continue to higher education. Encompassing both silversmithing and blacksmithing, you will learn practical skills, material properties, placing your work in a broader context and historic metalworking techniques. Find out more