Beginners silversmithing

Programme overview

On this course you will learn to make wearable jewellery to your own design. You will work in materials such as Sterling Silver, Copper, Brass and Titanium.

Some learners on this course will have one or two term of experience already. This course will be delivered by a fully qualified Silversmithing tutor with several decades of professional experience within the industry. You will work towards an Entry Level 3 Award in Creative Crafts.

Programme content

Each session will begin with a technical demonstration and then we may explore a well known practitioner. There will be plenty of benchwork time to explore techniques and ideas with lots on tutor support.

Health and safety is embedded throughout.

You will learn the basic techniques of silversmithing for jewellery such as piercing out sheet metal, annealing metal to soften it, basic soldering, adding texture, how to form work three dimensionally, working with mixed media and create your own Fastenings.

You might possibly learn to set a stone (depending on how you progress). If not, this will be covered during the second term if you re-enroll.

Exploring art and design is a particularly important part of the course so you can develop your own style of design. We will look at the work of different jewellery artists and derive our own designs from external sources.

Google Classroom is used to store all course material and is available to view 24/7. Content includes videos of your tutor demonstrating techniques and insights into the work of other artists to help with design ideas, handouts about techniques and health and safety.

Who this course is for

For complete beginners to this subject. For those with an interest in a magical art form who would like to create their own jewellery.

This course is also suitable for those who have a little experience. You must have a certain amount of upper body strength because you will be working with hammers and some heavy forming tools.

You will also need to have good hand-to-eye coordination and good attention to detail.

Experience and knowledge needed

No experience required. 

Materials and equipment

You will need to pay for all your materials. Your tutor will be able to provide materials to you at cost price or help you order your own. Once the course is underway and you know what you would like to make you might need to buy metal sheet or wire, gemstones or cubic zirconia. Day to day sundries you will need to buy include saw blades, emery paper, solder strips and drill bits. Your tutor will keep a supply of these in class so you can buy these (at cost price) from her or order your own.

All tools and equipment are provided at the venue.

Assessment

Your tutor will carry out very regular, informal assessments of your work. Feedback will be given to help you develop knowledge and skills to improve your work. You will set your own personal goals, and your tutor will give regular written feedback on those too.

Accreditation 

Yes this course is accredited. 

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