Soldering for jewellers with Laila Smith

Ref: S1D36555

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About this course

An intensive day for those with some experience, focusing on exercises to advance your soldering skills. Techniques covered include pallion, stick and sweat soldering.

Course Description

This is an intensive day for those with some experience, with the focus on exercises to advance your soldering skills.

Improve your soldering skills through demonstrations and exercises and make a start on a project that you can finish at home. You will be focusing on silver soldering and the course will cover pallion, stick and sweat soldering.

The day will start with a general overview of the technical processes at play when soldering, along with information on various torches and soldering equipment.

The practical section of the day will begin with a demonstration, followed by an exercise. This will then be repeated for each type of soldering technique.

Please note that this one-day class is not suitable for beginners. Please sign up to a suitable one-day jewellery making class if you are a beginner.

Course Materials

Included

An individual pack of materials for the set projects is provided. This pack includes silver solders, copper sheet and a soldering paintbrush.

What students need to bring

  • Please bring any solder, silver wire and sheet if you already have some.
  • Silver earring posts and tools applicable to soldering if you have them
  • An apron
  • 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

Available from tutor: Silver earring posts

Additional information

Please note: Recommended bullion suppliers are Argex Ltd, Metalor Ltd, Exchange Findings Ltd, Bloomsteins, Cookson Precious Metals Ltd, Metalor Ltd.

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

Timetable

Student registration: 9am
Course teaching: 9.15am - 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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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