Ref: SWE13215
This course will take a sustainable approach by using wood from the United Kingdom and found wooden objects to make sculptural, contemporary jewellery. You will shape and transform bog oak, oak and found objects with linking mechanisms and cold connections to make finished pieces. You will think about how the ideas, materials, construction and finishes all need to be considered in conjunction with one another to make a successful piece. You will look at a broad range of surface techniques, including silver inlay, paint, ebonizing and Shou Sugi Ban that allow humble woods to be transformed into exciting jewellery pieces. There will be guided exercises, which you can adapt to your own designs, so you will have completed pieces or, if you prefer, a range of samples. There will be step-by-step handouts that include guidance on how to source sustainably orientated supplies. You are encouraged to bring your own found wooden objects or wood offcuts to use for experimentation.
You will also look at the amazing range and diversity of jewellery made in wood by a range of internationally renowned studio jewellers.
This course is suitable for all from complete beginners and experienced jewellers who would like to broaden material possibilities, with only minor adaptations to current hand tools.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Sarah King specialises in mixing precious and non-precious materials in jewellery. She has pieces in numerous public collections (including Crafts Council and British Council) and books on contemporary jewellery. She won the Association of Contemporary Jewellery Prize and several Goldsmiths' Craftmanship and Design Awards. She has over ten years' teaching experience and also teaches at Central St. Martins and Morley College.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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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