West Dean Heritage Craft Week Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of heritage crafts with our Heritage Craft Week and learn time-honoured techniques from expert instructors. Whether you're a beginner eager to explore a new craft or an experienced artisan looking to refine your skills, you'll not only acquire practical skills but also connect with a deeper sense of history and craftsmanship.

Silver is a wonderful metal to shape directly with a hammer. In this four day course you will develop the skills needed to make an item of jewellery using silver rod, sheet, or wire.

By looking at images and discussing making processes, you will decide what you would like to make. This might be a bangle or a cuff, or, drawing on any existing skills, a number of smaller forged shapes that can be linked together to form a necklace, bracelet, or earrings.

Your tutor will demonstrate the relevant processes, taking into account what you aim to make and your level of making experience. Safety within the different processes will be explained, and guidance given throughout. Once everyone is comfortable with what needs to be done, the course becomes fully hands-on.

By the end of the first day, you should feel confident with your work and have a clear idea of how to complete your piece. On the final morning, the tutor will review your progress and discuss how to continue. By lunchtime, you should be moving into the final finishing processes.

Before the course ends, you will review what you have achieved: how close you came to your initial intentions, what you learned through making, and what you will take away from the course.

Included

On this course the College will supply sundry materials such as solder and flux. Silversmithing tools to use during the course.

The tutor will have silver sheet and wire of various thicknesses you can purchase on the day.

What students need to bring

• Silver – advice from your tutor will be available after booking
• Apron
• Paper/note book and pencil for notes
• Any silver working hammers you may have – labled with your name
• You are welcome to bring along any drawings or images for inspiration
• (Ear protectors will be supplied for your use during the course)

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Solder is also available to purchase should you need this.

Available from tutor:

• Lengths of 6mm round wire suitable for small, medium or large bangle.
• Ranging between £50 and £85

Additional information

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

Arrival day - first date of course
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  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
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 - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

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.

Terms & Conditions