Ref: S4D42440
Explore ideas for a piece of jewellery in silver and be guided through the designing and making process. Begin by communicating your concept in simple drawings, then, with one-to-one tuition, you will learn a range of techniques in general fabrication, surface decoration (including roller-printing and etching) and finishing.
This course is open to those with no experience at all or those who have made some jewellery before. The level of experience and complexity of ideas will affect what you can achieve in the time, but even a complete beginner should be able to complete several pieces of work. You will develop an understanding of jewellery processes, alongside developing your own individual design vocabulary.
The course will include instruction on general fabrication, finishing and polishing techniques for precious metals and a range of surface decoration techniques, including roller printing, keum boo and etching. You may also like to consider introducing alternative non-precious materials into your work, such as slate, wood, acrylic, feathers or paper. Techniques for incorporating non-precious materials are demonstrated and discussed.
The tutors approach to making jewellery is strongly ideas led and she encourages and helps you to make simple drawings of your ideas to communicate what you wish to make. She will also talk about ways to develop interesting ideas. The tutors approach to teaching the skills necessary to making is mostly on an individual basis, although, where it is relevant to the whole group, she will demonstrate. The tutor aims to instil confidence and to encourage you to be creative.
By the end of the course, you should have completed at least one and maybe several pieces of jewellery. You will have gained a deeper understanding of jewellery processes and developed your own design vocabulary.
Your tutor is always happy to talk before the course to ensure that it is suitable for you. To contact your tutor, please email: [email protected]
Use of tools and machinery You will need to purchase silver for your project in advance from a supplier. Your tutor can advise.
Please come prepared with a small sketchbook, with a selection of ideas that you would like to work on. Please do not worry if you feel you cannot draw, a few lines just to explain your idea to your tutor is fine.
If you are a beginner, it is better to wait until you have discussed with your tutor what you want to make before buying metal.
A good variety of art and craft materials are available to buy in the Gardens Gatehouse Shop.
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.
Sarah graduated Brighton Polytechnic in 1981 and has combined her studio practice as a jeweller with teaching part time. A member of The Designer Jewellers Group, she has exhibited at the Barbican Arts Centre (London) for the last twenty eight years. In 2000 Sarah was invited to write an introduction to Jewellery for Crowood Press and she features in several youtube videos. Sarah's work can be seen on Facebook and Instagram.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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