This three week course will introduce you to a variety of traditional jewellery-making techniques, starting by designing your own ring and choosing your metal – silver, copper or brass – you’ll then start to work the metal to create your ring.
Along the way, you'll learn essential silversmithing skills, including piercing (sawing), soldering, shaping, twisting, cleaning and polishing.
Perfect for beginners, this friendly and relaxed course is a wonderful introduction to jewellery making. Through a combination of demonstrations and personalised guidance, you'll create beautiful handmade jewellery.
You'll begin by making a ring, and once you've gained confidence with the techniques, you'll have time to choose another project. You could make a pendant, a pair of earrings, or even set a stone into your design.
This is a three-week course with a maximum of eight participants. Keeping the group small ensures everyone receives individual attention and plenty of support throughout.
Dates:
Session 1: Wednesday 4th November – Make a ring
Session 2: Wednesday 11th November - Work on your own project
Session 3: Wednesday 18th November - Work on your own project
About this event:
Price - £190 for the 3 week course (includes any copper and brass used)
Please note that the course feedoes not include the cost of any silver you use. Silver will be charged at cost price at the end of the course. Copper and brass are included in the cost of the course, and you're very welcome to create your jewellery using either of these metals at no additional cost.
Location - Downstairs @ Open House.
Booking - Limited to 8 spots (we will need a minimum of 3 people for the course to run), to book your spot, please click below.
No experience needed; all levels are welcome.
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Di first started working with metal when she used large steel plates in printmaking while studying for a Fine Art degree at Hull College of Art in the 1980s. She had always been attracted to working with metal and began making fused metal jewellery after attending an advanced silversmithing course in 2015.
Di is interested in developing and exploring ways of introducing colour into the pieces she creates and often uses techniques that involve fusing different metals together.
More recently, she has started incorporating stones and objects collected from beaches and walks around the Hope Valley, where she moved in 2024. These found objects are often set into her jewellery.
Throughout her career, Di has taught in a wide range of settings, from adult and community education through to degree level. Over the past year, she has concentrated on developing her own jewellery designs while sharing her love of making through silversmithing courses.
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There will be copper, bronze and silver for you to choose from. If you'd like to use silver, there will be a charge for the silver you use (based on the current silver price). We'll weigh your items at the end of the session, and you'll only need to pay for the silver you've used.
As a guide, the silver for a ring typically costs between £10 (for a very thin band ring) and £30 (for a larger, chunkier ring). Card or cash payment for the silver can be taken at the end of the session.
Because of the rapid increase in the cost of silver over the last six months, this seems like the fairest way to manage the course costs.
There will be no additional charge for copper or bronze, and both make lovely pieces of jewellery.
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As part of the course, you'll need to use a blowtorch for both soldering and annealing, so please be aware of the following safety requirements:
If you have long hair, please tie it back or bring something with you to tie it back.
Please don't wear open-toe shoes.
Please don't wear loose clothing, such as scarves or shawls.