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 tutor’s 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 tutor’s 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]

Included

• Use of tools and machinery
• You will need to purchase silver to complete your project. This can be purchased from the college shop, or in advance from a supplier.

What students need to bring

• Any tools you may already have (marked with your name)
• 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.
• An apron and hair tie if needed

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 wire – for practising forging
• There are basic tool kits to borrow from the shop, which also stocks a range of tools and consumables such as saw blades, drills and abrasive materials.

Additional information

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

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.

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