
Tuesdays
12.30–3.00pm
Term 1 dates
18, 25 January 2022
01, 08, 15 February 2022
£140
Gift vouchers available
Spaces
We are booking up to 8 people on this course, however this is subject to change based on government guidelines concerning COVID-19.
Safety
We are committed to working with our artists and communities in continuing to provide opportunities for creativity during these challenging times. Together, we have reconfigured our courses to ensure the safety of all concerned without compromising on quality. Find out more about our new safety measures.
Please read our Covid-19 Booking Terms and Conditions below carefully before booking.
Ages 16+
Suitable for any level of experience.
What will be covered in the class?
Over this 5-week course, artist tutor Beccy Gillatt will gently guide you through traditional jewellery making techniques and designing methods to enable you to develop your own creations and craft them in silver and gemstones.
What will students leave the class with?
Learners will leave the course with at least 3 finished pieces of silver jewellery designed and crafted by hand.
Over the course, you will focus on the following skills and techniques:
Week 1–3
- Texturing and layering: pendant, brooch, cuff links or
earrings
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Create designs from visual research to develop ideas for
your project
-
Use etching to create patterns
-
Use a rolling mill and textures to create interesting
surfaces on silver and copper
-
Demonstrate safe use of saw piercing and blades to cut out
shapes
-
Use jewellery tools to finish work including wet and dry
papers and polishing compounds
-
Craft findings for items made
Week 3–5
- (Beginners tube setting) Returners faceted collet set
pendant or ring.
-
Choose a suitable stone for your project
-
Use simple design techniques to design a pendant or ring
with a tube or collet setting
-
Select appropriate materials for your stone and project
-
Construct a setting for your stone chosen using traditional
fabricating and soldering techniques
-
Make your piece of work to add stone setting to
-
Set your stone using a selection of setting tools to secure
stone
-
Finish piece using wet and dry papers as well as polishing
compounds
Tools and equipment are included in the course fee.
Materials will be available to purchase from the tutor during the course but if you would like to bring your own materials this information will be sent to you weekly and will depend on your design and choice of stones. Materials will range from £30-£50 depending on your designs and stones of choice.
For the first session please feel free to bring the following (also available to purchase from the tutor on the day):
- Copper sheet 0.7/0.8 mm thick
- Silver sheet 0.7/0.8/0.9mm thick (depending on the size of your design
Location
Jewellery Studio: the jewellery studio is situated at the top of a flight of stairs. Tools are all light and accessible. Work benches are not currently height adjustable.
Tutor
Beccy Gillatt is a Buckinghamshire-based silversmith who has been teaching adults for over 15 years. With a MA from the Royal College of Art in goldsmithing, silversmithing, metalwork and jewellery, Beccy has gone on to show her work in galleries and fairs all over the world, including the Goldsmiths Fair and Collect. She was also awarded the Goldsmiths Company Future of Design Award for Silversmithing (2001) and Goldsmiths Company Young Designer.