Recreational Jewellery Making
From absolute beginner to more experienced maker.
Maximum of six students per group.
Classes can cover all basic bench skills, casting, enamelling, etching, beginners stone setting, press forming and more.
If you are new to working with silver we will start with the basics – soldering, piercing out, riveting etc. Classes are designed to move at a pace that suits you, and as you gain confidence more skills are introduced.
The small class size means lots of one-to-one tuition from experienced, qualified teachers, and a friendly, fun atmosphere to learn in.
£340 for a 12 week term
New term begins in January
Monday evening 6-9pm with Tony Sanders
Tuesday evening 6-9pm with Emma Leonard
Wednesday evening 6-9pm with Tony Sanders
Thursday evening 6-9pm with Emma Leonard
Alternate Thursdays 10am-5pm (with an hour for lunch) with Emma Leonard
There is a waiting list for spaces on the 12 week terms of classes – if you would like to join in then please get in touch.
Weekend Workshops
A workshop voucher makes a great gift, or a chance to try out a new skill for yourself. The one day beginners workshops are suitable for someone with no previous experience, and make a great introduction to silversmithing – with a fantastic finished piece to wear home! Please note if you are booking using a gift voucher you will need to contact me directly rather than book online.
Make a Cabochon Stone Set Ring
One day workshop 10am-6pm £80 (plus materials)
Saturday 25th January
Learn how to set a stone and make a beautiful ring in a day. Step by step demos help you to make a ring and set a cabochon gem stone, sea glass or beach pebble in a simple rub-over setting. You will learn how to form and solder your ring shanks, construct a setting, and then how to set and finish your rings. A great introduction to stone setting and a way to introduce colour to your jewellery making. Suitable for beginners wanting to make a one-off piece of lovely jewellery, or someone looking add a new skill to their making.
Materials are extra due to the differing costs of stones etc. Both silver and a selection of stones and sea glass are available at the studio (as a rough estimation allow £10-£15 extra for materials). You are welcome to bring your own stone if you have one – we will be working with round or oval stones, just contact me if you have any questions.
Make a Spinner Ring – great for beginners.
One day workshop 10am-5pm £75 (plus materials).
Saturday 9th November
Saturday 29th March
Make a fantastic spinner ring in a day – ideal for complete beginners. In this super-popular class you will learn how to form a ring, solder, texture and polish, use chemical patina, and go home wearing your creation. Use hammers to texture or punches to personalise and add designs. There are so many options for different combinations of textures, spinning bands and finishes, each ring is unique – the only difficulty is making a decision what combination to make!
Materials costs vary on the day depending on the size and style of ring made, but as a rough guide allow approx £15
Book now 9th Nov… Book now 29th Mar…
Simple Silver Rings
One day workshop 10am-2.30pm £45 (plus materials)
Friday 15th November – Fully booked
Saturday 8th February
Come and learn traditional silversmithing skills in this ideal beginners class. Will you make a set of delicate stackers or a single chunky band? Try personalising with a wide range of stamps, add texture with hammers or use formers to create waves and zig zags. This class introduces a number of basic skills including soldering, and step by step guidance means you go home wearing your own beautiful rings.
Materials costs are payable on the day of the class and vary depending on number and size of rings being made, but as a rough guide allow approx £10 for a single heavy band.
Book now 8th Feb.. Book now 15th Nov..
Enamelled Christmas Decorations
One day workshop 10am-3pm £55 (including materials)
Saturday 23rd November
This class is suitable for complete beginners who would like to take home some special handmade decorations. It’s also a good taster introduction to enamelling.
This colourful and creative workshop uses vitreous (kiln) enamel techniques, allowing you to work with colour and pattern. Pre-cut copper blanks are provided for you to work on, meaning you can concentrate on perfecting your design-stamping, sifting your snow drifts and trimming your Christmas trees. We will be using a variety of processes for you to personalise and create your own beautiful decorations. The cost of the class includes all materials (including hanging ribbons). A great way to get into the festive spirit!
Make a Bangle
One day workshop 10am-2.30pm £45 (plus materials)
Friday 6th December – Fully booked
Sunday 2nd March
Come and make your own bangle in this great beginners workshop. Experiment with hammers to create textures or use letter punches and decorative stamps to personalise your work. You will try out a range of basic skills including soldering, forming and polishing. You can use press formers to create wavy or geometric outlines. Choose to make a single bangle or link multiple bands together.
Materials costs vary depending on number and size of bangles being made, but as a rough guide allow approx £35 for a single heavy weight bangle.
Book now 2nd Mar Book now 6th Dec
Textured Chain Bracelet & Toggle Clasp
One day workshop 10am-5pm £75 (plus materials)
Saturday 18th January
Learn how to make a beautiful chain link bracelet complete with handmade T-bar clasp. Step by step demos show you how to form and solder your links, how to use hammers to add texture and how to construct your toggle. A great introduction to traditional silversmithing techniques that is suitable for complete beginners wanting to make a one-off piece of lovely jewellery, or someone looking add new skills to their making.
Materials are payable on the day as costs can vary depending on the weight / size of the chain made, but as a rough guide allow approx £20 for silver.
*NEW* Silver Circles Pendants
One day workshop 10am-2.30pm £45 (plus materials)
Saturday 15th March
Come and learn traditional silversmithing skills in this ideal beginners class. Choose smooth delicate loops, chunky hammered textures or mix it up with wavy or bobbly profiles – there are so many different combinations to choose from. How about an interlinked style or joined with a central loop? Small and subtle or a make a statement? Is there a circle for each member of your family or to mark a significant year? The choice is yours in this workshop.
This class introduces a number of basic skills including soldering, and step by step guidance means you go home wearing your own beautiful pendants.
Materials costs are payable on the day of the class and vary depending on the number of loops and size of pendant being made, but as a rough guide allow approx £10 – £15 for your silver. A selection of different chains are also available to purchase from the studio on the day.
NEW Colourful Garden Stems with Caroline Parrott
One day workshop 10am-4pm £70 (plus £15 materials)
Sunday 6th April
Create beautiful lightweight garden sculptures using hand printed and coloured aluminium. Spend the morning dyeing and printing your metal, then once the metal is sealed during the lunch break, use your creations to make your own unique garden stems. Learn to use a piercing saw to cut out your shapes and construct your own creation. All processes are fully guided step by step throughout the class. Aluminium is provided for a sculpture approx 15cm wide on a 1m tall weather-proof metal stem ready to be planted in your garden to enjoy!
Please bring an apron and wear old clothes as dyes can stain permanently. There is a £15 material fee payable to Caroline on the day of the workshop.
Silver Clay ‘Fantasy Flowers’ with Grainne Reynolds
One day workshop 10am-5pm £135
Sunday 27th April
Use magical silver clay to design and make your own beautiful silver flower pendant or a pair of drop earrings.
You will learn…
How to roll, texture and cut the silver clay.
How to add shape and form
How to set a sparkly cubic zirconia gem stones
How to securely construct your flower.
How to add other decorative elements
How to form a bail to hang your pendant
How to refine your creation for a quality finish
How to polish and patina your pendant to highlight detail.
Everyone will go home wearing a beautiful silver flower pendant.
Please note all materials are included but sterling silver chains will be available to purchase from Grainne on the day as an optional extra.
This workshop is suitable for beginners and those with some silver clay experience.
Gift vouchers are available and can be customised for any occasion – contact me for more details.