City Lit beginners' jewellery

About this course

Participants will research, design and make metal jewellery, including a cabochon stone-set ring and a pendant. The course introduces cutting, drilling, annealing, soldering, cold connections, etching, forming, enamelling, surface finishing and stone setting. Teaching combines demonstrations, projects, handouts, guidance, and group and individual discussions. Coursework includes a sketchbook, technical samples, visual and historical research, design ideas, costings and evaluations. There is also a live project involving a stone dealer and a museum visit for visual research.

What you'll learn

• Cut, drill, anneal and solder metal using a range of techniques
• Join metal using cold connections such as rivets
• Create settings and set stones in jewellery
• Shape, form, etch and enamel metal, including producing varied surface finishes
• Develop jewellery designs through research, sketches, samples and test pieces
• Cost, evaluate, present and discuss jewellery work

Is this course right for you?

The course is labelled Improver and is described as intended for learners with basic jewellery-making knowledge, while also being presented as suitable for complete beginners and open to all. Participants should be prepared for group discussion, independent research and design work, and careful adherence to workshop safety guidance.

• Some coursework is completed independently outside class
• Participants need to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and health and safety guidance
• Simple measurements and calculations are part of the coursework

Before you go

• Basic tools, equipment and some base metals and other consumable materials are provided.
• Participants need to buy items including saw blades, precious metals and stones.
• A sketchbook is needed for design work and research notes.
• Sensible footwear is required; sandals, open shoes and small pumps are not permitted.
• Independent research may involve collecting information, images and ideas from books, the internet, museums and galleries.