Jewellery: beginners evening course

About this course

The course combines tutor demonstrations, technical notes, examples and guided workshop practice. Participants develop jewellery through structured projects, test pieces and individual design ideas, working with techniques such as sawing, soldering, cold connections, chain making, stone setting, silver clay, patination, wax modelling and casting. The course also introduces basic CAD, presentation, branding and marketing. Learning is supported through tutor guidance, group discussion and feedback, with opportunities to document experiments and finished work in sketchbooks and technical folders.

What you'll learn

• Use a jeweller’s saw to cut complex shapes and create secure cold connections.
• Apply different solder grades and soldering methods appropriately.
• Make chains, wirework and bespoke fastenings or clasps.
• Create jewellery using silver clay, patinas, metal colouring and Mitsuro Hikime wax techniques.
• Design stone settings and use Delft clay and cast-in-place stone methods.
• Use basic CAD tools and document jewellery development through sketchbooks and technical folders.

Is this course right for you?

The course is labelled Beginner and is intended for learners with a good understanding of basic jewellery making, as well as motivated beginners ready to tackle new techniques. Participants should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, use simple measurements and calculations, and recognise and draw basic geometric shapes. Teaching includes practical work, group discussion and feedback.

• Suitable for learners prepared to work through demonstrations, technical notes and structured projects.
• Core work can be completed in class, with optional extension projects available.
• Tutor guidance is available for developing individual design ideas beyond the set projects.

Before you go

• Most basic tools and equipment are provided, along with basic quantities of materials including copper and brass sheet and wire, enamel, polymer clay, paper, chemicals and polishing compounds.
• Learners need to provide or purchase some items, including saw blades, stones and precious metals for work in silver or gold.
• The course provides an initial 10g of silver clay and general tools; additional silver clay may be brought for further pieces.
• A sketchbook is required for design ideas, experiments and notes.
• Sensible footwear is required in the studio. Sandals, open-toe shoes and small pumps are not permitted.
• Wax pieces can be cast into metal through an external company, with advice from the tutor.