The course starts with the setting up, sharpening and polishing of the various gravers used in jewellery hand engraving. We will cover magnification, transfer techniques, work holding, turntables and associated tools and equipment.

The first copper practice plate is used to build confidence in cutting straight and curved lines, from which you will progress to cutting various Celtic patterns that are commonly found in jewellery work.

On your second practice plate, you will move on to using the flat, round and liner gravers, where you will design and cut a simple flower, incorporating bright cut and cap techniques. You will also introduce the wriggle cut, bright cut borders and the use of liners to produce Florentine designs.

Having practised these specific techniques on a square plate, you will then look to incorporate these into actual pieces of jewellery. Your final task will be to design and cut your own pendant, utilising the various cuts and techniques learned over the previous days.

By the end of the course, you will have built up confidence to undertake the designing and engraving of your own jewellery pieces and you will have established a foundation of techniques that will assist you in incorporating hand engraving into your existing unique jewellery work.

Included

A small piece of plywood: -100mm x 100mm x 18mm

• Two pieces of square copper sheet: 0.9mm x 75mm x 75mm

All gravers and equipment necessary for the course will be provided by the tutor. However, there are a selection of gravers available to purchase at the college Craft Shop.

What students need to bring

• Optivisor magnification
• Gloves

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Gravers and mushroom handles will be available to purchase from the shop, should you wish to purchase these.
• Copper plate (0.7 and 0.5 mm), should you need any extra to what is being supplied.

Available from tutor:

• Various copper pendant blanks

Additional information

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

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 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*
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
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
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.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

Terms & Conditions