Wood, Silver & Pearls

About this course

Participants explore wood as a material for contemporary jewellery, considering suitable species, responsible sourcing and ways designers use it. The workshop covers drilling with standard jewellery hand tools, inlaying silver pique dots and wire, attaching pearls, making cold connections and finishing wooden pieces. Demonstrations are combined with guided practice and individual support as participants develop their own design. The finished project is either two decorated wooden pendants or a pair of earrings, using silver and pearl details.

What you'll learn

• Select woods suitable for different jewellery designs
• Drill wood using standard jewellery hand tools
• Inlay silver pique dots and wire into wood
• Attach pearls securely to wooden components
• Apply simple cold connections and finishing techniques
• Explain principles of sustainable wood and material sourcing

Is this course right for you?

The course is labelled All Levels, indicating that the activities are intended to accommodate learners with different degrees of jewellery-making experience. Participants develop an individual design while working through demonstrations, guided practice and individual support.

• Suitable for learners at different levels of jewellery-making experience
• Participants work on their own jewellery design with individual guidance

Before you go

• Handouts covering the workshop techniques and further resources are provided.
• Bring reading glasses if needed, a notebook and pen, and an apron.
• Wear casual clothing, avoiding loose sleeves, and flat closed-toe shoes. Long hair should be tied back.
• Most of the workshop is at street level in a step-free showroom. Some specialist equipment is in a lower-level workshop accessible only by stairs, with no lift. Contact the provider before booking to discuss access requirements.
• There is an opportunity to purchase additional wood cut to a manageable size and the instructor's book, Creating Jewellery in Wood.