Hollow forms have something very special about them. They hold a space, a compartment, a partition or a secret. They can be empty, holding nothing, or they can be filled with something personal, or they can be simply a very pleasing object.

There are many shapes that can be made: spheres, cubes, barrels, lenses, tubes and all sorts of abstract forms. They can have textures or be left smooth. They can be closed or slightly open. They can be full of holes or even cage-like.

On the course, the tutor will show how various forms are made. He will demonstrate how he often starts a piece by making a paper or card model of an idea, which is very helpful to work out how to construct the piece. It can be made from one piece of sheet or, inevitably, more sections can be soldered together.

Various soldering techniques will also be demonstrated that will make your jewellery making less frustrating and more confident.

By the end of the course, you will have learnt to develop an idea through planning and constructing with card, through to a hollow-formed piece of your choice, incorporating the use of various soldering techniques where necessary. Your tutor will give you one-to-one tuition to develop your idea through to the successful completion of a final piece.

Please contact the tutor before the start of the course to discuss projects and metal by emailing: [email protected]

Included

The college will provide gilding metal, silver solder, round burrs, drills and borax.

What students need to bring

• Gilding metal will be provided but if you want to use silver, you will need to purchase this 10cm x 10cm and 1mm thick. This can be purchased in advance from a supplier such as Cooksongold Jewellery Making Supplies or HS Walsh and Sons. Alternatively, the College Shop stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings in set sizes and lengths.
• Apron
• Protective eyewear (provided by the college, but bring if you prefer to use your own)

If you have any tools of your own, please bring them with you (and ensure they are marked with your name).

If you have an idea for a project and require advice about materials, please contact the tutor by emailing: [email protected] before the start of the course.

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.
• Pens, pencils and drawing materials
• Solder, saw blades, some tools

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