Ref: S2D36556
Create a beautiful stacking silver ring set. Techniques covered include designing, sizing, forming, piercing, texturing and soldering.
The course aim is to consider how a stack of rings will work together before making your ring set, looking at the design problems and solutions that come with making a set of rings to be worn together.
You will be exploring textures, surfaces and/or repeated motifs to inform your finished set of rings. Your sampled textures and/or repeated shapes will be undertaken in copper before working on the finished silver ring set.
Following a demonstration, you will explore surfaces and textures. You will then be encouraged to explore your ideas with the tutor by reflecting on these samples and your design ideas. You will make the shank (bands) of your rings following a full demonstration of sizing rings and measuring. You will learn how to make a ring step-by-step with demonstrations and notes.
The principal material used on this course is silver, but you may incorporate materials such as copper and brass into your design. You can also bring broken or unloved pieces of gold jewellery from home to incorporate into the rings using granulation.
You will be encouraged to create a number of samples during the course showing textures and shapes. As well as your finished rings, you will have a selection of ideas to incorporate into future projects, should you wish. You should produce a beautiful set of two or three silver stacking rings.
At the end of the course, there will be a short review of the work everyone has made.
Silver wire and sheet for basic rings Copper sheet for texture samples
Available from shop: Silver, copper and brass for creating additions to your rings 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.
Available from tutor: Silver, copper and brass for creating additions to your rings
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
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.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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
