Accommodation
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Plastic Smithing – Creating Jewellery With Waste Plastics
Ref: SLW41759
About this course
On this three-day course we will explore the possibilities of working with waste plastic - creatively. Building a knowledge of the different characteristics of plastic types we can exploit their unique properties - such as bright colours, flexibility, low melting points and weight. You will learn safe, cold-working and hot working techniques to create colourful, contemporary jewellery and other small objects.
It is ideally suited to those who love colour, bold designs, intricate surface pattern, jewellery and wearable art. You may be someone who is concerned about waste and wants to develop an environmentally sustainable practice or just someone who wants to explore something new.
No previous knowledge is required but if you've already had a go at working with plastics this course will help you dig deeper and look at new possibilities.
It is ideally suited to those who love colour, bold designs, intricate surface pattern, jewellery and wearable art. You may be someone who is concerned about waste and wants to develop an environmentally sustainable practice or just someone who wants to explore something new.
No previous knowledge is required but if you've already had a go at working with plastics this course will help you dig deeper and look at new possibilities.
Course Description
The aims of this course are to explore waste plastic as a viable raw material for contemporary craft. It will combine a series of presentations, demonstrations, design and technical exercises as well as plenty of time to experiment and complete a body of work. There will be an emphasis on creative experimentation and sharing ideas and discoveries. You will be set a series of design challenges to focus your learning and to ensure you leave with a collection of pieces, be they brooches, earrings, necklaces or other small items.
Evening
The course will start with a talk about the historical, cultural and environmental context of working with plastic highlighting the work of contemporary artists and makers using waste plastic to inspire your time on the course.
Day one
You will dive in to explore ways of identifying different plastic types and the safety issues associated with each type before providing the basic skills and confidence to use cold working techniques such as cutting, joining, decorating and finishing plastic components. You will use the work of contemporary makers to inspire our design processes and how we might factor in zero waste thinking and consider how to reuse any waste we create during the course.
Day two
A chance to explore warm and hot techniques and how we can safely fuse plastics together to create different effects. Having gained technical knowledge and design inspiration, day two also focuses on developing your jewellery or sculpture collection - a series of pieces (such as rings, necklaces, brooches and earrings or three-dimensional sculptures) that express your style and interests.
Day three
Will provide everything you need to finish your pieces with an emphasis on using and making your own silver findings and cold connections. At the end we will celebrate our time together with a sharing of our completed work and what we’ve learned.
Practical sessions will ensure you learn about the following:
• How to use a range of tools and techniques to texture, cut, carve, form, melt, laminate and join plastics
• The importance of health, safety and environmental issues and the precautions required for safe working
• The possibilities offered through use of supplementary materials such as bio resins and glues
• How to use silver to create findings as well as other components to enhance your jewellery designs
By the end of the course you will have:
• Considered the contemporary context for using waste plastic from an artistic and environmental perspective.
• Produced a series of sample pieces to be used for future reference.
• Designed and produced an item or collection of jewellery pieces of your own design.
• Taken away useful handouts and resource lists
Course Materials
Included
On this course, the tutor will supply most of the materials, including waste plastics, resins and glues.
What students need to bring
Students are asked to bring sketchbooks/pencils. They can also bring examples of domestic waste, industrial or beach plastics to explore (although the tutor will also be providing plastics suitable for use). All other tools and materials will be provided.
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toed shoes or sandals.
Timetable
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.
General Information
Interested in a career in metalwork?
Our Foundation Degree in Metalwork will enhance your employment prospects, give you the skills to set up as a self-employed craftsperson or allow you to continue to higher education. Encompassing both silversmithing and blacksmithing, you will learn practical skills, material properties, placing your work in a broader context and historic metalworking techniques. Find out more