Immerse yourself in this intensive jewellery course, drawing inspiration from the beautiful historic house and scenic gardens of West Dean. Using the college as an inspiring start point, you can build a personal project to develop during the week. You will have access to a collection of inspiring images of West Dean curated by your tutor, and you will also have the opportunity to sketch or photograph your own, if you wish. These will range from architectural details, interiors and textures of the environment.

Throughout the course, you will receive personalised tuition to help move your projects forward, gaining hands-on experience in a variety of jewellery-making techniques relevant to your ideas. You will work on a unique piece of jewllery with the opportunity to explore and apply new techniques relevant to your specific project. There may also be some group demonstrations of techniques that are relevant to the group.

With individual guidance from your tutor, you will have the chance to elevate your designs, push the boundaries of your creativity, and gain confidence in your craftsmanship. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore and develop your creative ideas in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Whether you're new to jewellery or an experienced maker, this course is designed to help you unlock new levels of artistic expression. West Dean’s serene setting provides the perfect atmosphere to ignite inspiration and expand your creative potential.

By the end of the course, you will leave with a deeper understanding of jewellery design, new skills, and jewellery that reflects your creative journey. You should finish at least one piece of jewellery.

Summer School Highlights
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:

• Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work
• A short creative experience session in another discipline/media or course
• An optional evening at the Chichester Festival Theatre (discounted if pre-booked through West Dean)
• An optional lunchtime tour of West Dean Gardens, the historic rooms at West Dean College, or West Dean Tapestry Studio
• A celebration dinner on the last evening themed on ‘Fantasy and Myth’. Feel free to respond to the theme if you wish
• Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios

All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during summer school due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.

Included

The College will supply some sundries.

What students need to bring

• Any metal you have at home, e.g. silver, copper, brass and even gold if desired. You will need to purchase silver or copper to complete your project. This can be purchased from the College Shop, or in advance from a supplier.
• Drawing materials
• A small sketchbook where you've gathered some images of things that inspire you (these can be of anything). You might also include a few simple sketches of things you'd like to create. You do not need to be able to draw, a simple set of lines will help get your ideas across.

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.
• Solder
• Drawing equipment

Available from tutor: Your tutor will have a selection of items that you may want/need to purchase from the her.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes). If you have long hair, please make sure you have something to tie it up with. 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  

All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during Summer School due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.  
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.  
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for your Summer School will be given to you on arrival.

Terms & Conditions