Silversmithing Jewellery Workshop (Stage 1)

Ages: 18+
Term: Autumn, spring
Length: 5 or 10 weeks

Overview

Discover the craft of silver in a friendly, relaxed studio environment designed for beginners.

This practical course will guide you through the fundamental techniques of jewellery design and making, enabling you to create your own hand-crafted pieces from scratch.

To book your place today, simply click Book Now to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

About this course

You'll be introduced to essential tools and equipment, including the piercing saw, hammers, pliers and blowtorch for silver soldering, with clear demonstrations and plenty of supported hands-on practice.

You’ll begin by working in copper to build confidence and develop core skills before progressing to silver. Your first silver project will be a ring, designed and sized to fit you. As your skills develop, the second half of the course offers time to explore and create your own small collection of jewellery, supported by expert guidance from your tutor, Samantha O’Brien or Yvette Cannon.

An informative induction will introduce you to safe workshop practice, ensuring you feel confident using tools and materials throughout the course.

One of the advantages of working in silver is its accessibility beyond the classroom. You’ll learn techniques that can be continued at home with a relatively small investment in tools, making it an ideal starting point for those wishing to pursue jewellery making independently.

Each session focuses on a specific technique or process, supported by examples and followed by a practical mini-brief designed to develop both your technical ability and creative confidence.

Piercing
Soldering
Texturing and granulation
Sanding, polishing and burnishing
Basic cabochon stone setting

Timetable

Week 1: Welcome. Health and safety. Introduction to tools and workshop tour. Demonstration: marking, piercing and doming. Begin copper lentil bead.
Week 2: Soldering and demonstration of pick and sweat soldering. Construct, sand and polish lentil bead. Explore texture making, including roller.
Week 3: Cold connections. Mark, pierce, file, sand and construct mixed-metal riveted pendant. Make a tab setting for flat-backed item.
Week 4: Make a silver textured band ring to size.
Week 5: Chain making. Construct a bracelet with shepherd's hook clasp from copper, brass or silver.
Week 6: Make a silver simple bezel set ring using a round cabochon stone.
Week 7: Self-directed project based on skills learned.
Week 8: Finishing and polishing. Demonstrations: granulation and reticulation.
Week 9: Continue with self-directed projects.
Week 10: Complete projects, review and discussion.

Please note: Saturday sessions in the Autumn term are equivalent to two sessions.

At the end of the course:

You'll have a comprehensive overview, understanding and hands-on practical experience working with silver

You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at academy@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. As the course progresses your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback, so you know how you're getting on.

What you need to know

Autumn term 2026

Wednesday 7 October – 9 December 2026 (10 Wednesday evenings, 18.00–21.00)

Saturdays 17 and 31 October; 14 and 28 November; 12 December 2026 (5 alternating Saturdays, 09.00–16.00)

Please note, in this term you can choose to study this course on either Wednesdays or Saturdays. Choose your preferred course dates when you book your place.

Spring term 2027

Wednesday 13 January – 17 March 2027 (10 Wednesday evenings, 18.00–21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

Please note: the first four sessions cover the core learning elements of the course. If you're unable to attend these initial classes, it's recommended that you postpone enrolling, as missing these foundational sessions may significantly impact your learning experience.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£440

Any additional costs

You'll need to purchase your own silver. This can be bought independently (a list of suppliers will be provided during the course) or purchased through the tutor during the first session.

The cost per student will vary depending on the amount of silver used. Projects can be planned to suit individual budgets.

Additional materials and resources will be provided by AUB and is included in your course fee.

Notebook and pen or pencil
Old clothes or an apron
Flat, closed-toe shoes
Glasses for close work (if required) and a hairband for long hair

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

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AUB Academy FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

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AUB Academy booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

Meet your tutors

Samantha O'Brien

Samantha O'Brien is a very passionate and vastly experienced silversmith jeweller with a love for designing and creating unique pieces.

Yvette Cannon

Yvette Cannon has been making and designing jewellery for over 30 years. Following an early career working in wood she started an...

Book your place today

Book now

Silversmithing gallery

Pair of silver earrings with jagged and curved shapes.

A pair of students stand operating blowtorches.

Silver ring designed with a snake wrapped around it.

A person holds an object in place and raises a hammer to it.

A pair of silver rings with spiral designs.

Two students talking by a table in a workshop.

Two silver rings lying next to each other on a plain surface.

A person's hands shown painting on a block with a small brush.

Silver ring with a blue and green gemstone in the centre.

A person's hand wearing a silver and copper-coloured ring on the fourth finger.

A pile of copper rings on a metal surface.

A piece of jewellery designed as three flowers.

Two rings encrusted with silver pieces of various sizes.

A copper-coloured ring lying on display.

A selection of rings with various-sized green and yellow gemstones.

A silver pendant on a chain with a large blue and black gemstone in the centre.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your jewellery making skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.