Learn the basic techniques involved in the application and firing of transparent cloisonné enamels onto silver and experience both kiln and torch firing methods. You will be using stamped silver blanks and pre-cut silver shapes.

This course is suitable for both jewellers and those with no previous metalworking experience and will include designing for cloisonné, the preparation of silver, forming cloisonné wires, applying enamel and firing.

Techniques covered will include washing and grinding the enamels, preparing the metal, designing for cloisonné, forming the wires, texturing the silver before enamelling, applying the enamels, finishing and polishing and soldering after firing.

The tutor will help you create designs or translate your own design into enamel. You will produce one pendant and two earrings/studs in silver.

Included

On this course, the tutor will supply most of the materials, including enamels, cloisonné wire and silver blanks.

What students need to bring

• Reading glasses
• Sketch/notebook
• Apron
• A basic jeweller’s kit is provided for your use by the College

Optional items you may wish to bring if you already have these at home are paintbrushes, palette knife, kitchen roll, a fine cotton handkerchief, 400, 600, 800,1200 wet and dry paper, micromesh, Diagrit and any jeweller’s pliers, jeweller’s snips that you may have.

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• A good variety of art and craft materials are available to buy, including sketch/notebooks etc. 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.

Available from tutor:

• Extra silver blanks can be purchased from the tutor.

Additional information

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

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