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- Silverclay Jewellery Workshop
Silverclay Jewellery Workshop
On this hands-on 10-week course you’ll have the chance to create stunning pure silver jewellery using silver clay.
To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button 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.
What you need to know
When does it run?
You can study this course in either the autumn or spring term. Choose your preferred term when booking.
Autumn term 2023
Tuesday 19 September – 5 December 2023 (Please note, there’s no class on Tuesday 3 or 24 October 2023)
Spring term 2024
Tuesday 16 January – 19 March 2024
How long is the course?
10 Tuesday evenings
What time will your classes be?
18.00-21.00
Where does it take place?
Classes will take place on AUB's campus.
You'll be taught in AUB's industry-standard studios with access to professional resources.
Who's this course suitable for?
This course has been developed for creatives and aspiring jewellery makers aged 18+.
Perfect for anyone who has a passion to learn and develop their jewellery making skills.
It's suitable if you're a beginner or if you've some previous experience with jewellery making and wish to develop your skills further.
Do you need previous experience or qualifications?
This is an introductory course, so no previous knowledge or experience is required.
If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or +44 (0) 1202 363222.
How much does this course cost?
£339
What's included in this price?
All jewellery making tools.
Any additional materials and resources not listed in the 'What to Bring' section below.
Are there additional costs?
Please be aware you'll need to purchase the silver and any additional materials for your pieces. This'll incur an additional cost on top of your course fee and can be paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Costs will vary according to the amount of silver used. As a guide a small charm will cost approximately £6-10 depending on the size. A medium-sized pendant will cost approximately £20.
Throughout the entire course you may expect to pay on average about £150 for your materials, however if needed you can keep costs down by making mainly smaller pieces. Projects can be tailored to suit all budgets.
During the course, you’ll have the option to purchase a starter kit for £70.
What should you bring to class?
- A notebook or sketchbook and pencil to take notes and sketch ideas
- Wear old clothes or an apron
- Closed-toe shoes are compulsory
- Bring your glasses if you need them for close work
- Long hair must be tied back
Why should you choose this course?
- Improve your jewellery making and design abilities
- Come away with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence to create your own beautiful and jewellery pieces from silver clay
- Learn how to use specialist tools required for working with silver clay to create jewellery
- Develop your understanding of the properties and working characteristics of silver
- Learn a variety of techniques, including texturing, polishing, sanding and more
- Develop your technical skills and unique creative voice
- Receive expert support and guidance from your industry professional tutor at every turn
- Leave with increased confidence and the skills to continue creating beyond the course – it's easy to work with silver clay at home!
- Study in an encouraging and friendly setting alongside 12 like-minded creatives
About this course
This 10-week course has been specially designed for anyone that wishes to learn how to make pure silver jewellery using silver clay. This introduction to silver clay is intended for both those who have never used metal clay before and those who have some experience of traditional silver-smithing methods and wish to develop some different techniques to complement their existing skills.
Metal clay is a substance consisting of tiny silver particles held together with an organic binder and water. This renders the silver into a clay-like substance. When the clay is fired (with a gas torch or in a kiln) the binder burns away, and you are left with solid silver. This is purer than sterling silver and can be hallmarked.
Across the 10 weeks, you’ll be taught a range of specialist jewellery making techniques needed to work with silver clay and you’ll refine your new skills through a series of projects.
Techniques that you’ll cover include soldering, sanding, polishing, texturing, and basic stone-setting. You’ll also learn how to make your own moulds to set your silver clay and will experiment with both torch and kiln firing.
Each week, you’ll cover a different area or skill relating to silver clay jewellery making, after which you’ll receive a mini-brief. Your projects will typically include items such as pendants, earrings, rings, and cuff links of your own design. Each brief is specially written to enable you to enhance both your design and practical skills.
One of the great advantages of working in metal clay is that it's relatively easy to continue working at home after the course without a big investment, as you don’t need many tools or specialist equipment.
- Rolling out the clay to a consistent thickness
- Mould-making
- Texturing and cutting out shapes
- Sanding, polishing, and burnishing
- Torch firing and basics of kiln firing
- Use of syringe paste
- Basic stone-setting
- Basic soldering
- Possess improved design and jewellery making skills using silver clay
- Be the proud owner of a small collection of beautiful, wearable jewellery that incorporates the new skills you’ve developed throughout the course
- Have the confidence to design and create your own jewellery pieces outside the course setting
- Be knowledgeable and skilled in a variety of different specialist techniques required to work with silver clay
- Be able to apply a range of finishes to your jewellery pieces
- Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
- Have boosted creativity and imagination
- Be encouraged to experiment and explore your ideas, remembering that there's no right or wrong way to be creative
- Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Short Course certificate of attendance. To request your certificate contact the short courses team: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or call 01202 363222.
After this course, you could:
- Elevate your skills further and earn a Level 2 Skills Education Group accredited qualification in Jewellery Design; this’ll open the door to further academic study
- Continue to harness your creativity and develop your skills further; explore our full range of Jewellery Making short courses
- Broaden your creative horizons and try your hand at a range of disciplines; explore our full range of evening and weekend courses
- Continue to develop your skills at home as a hobby
- You'll study at a leading specialist university – we know what we're doing when it comes to providing unparalleled courses
- Our tutors are industry professionals, so you'll learn from the best
- We cater for all abilities and have no formal entry requirements for this course, so there's nothing holding you back
- You'll learn in a safe and encouraging environment where there's no right or wrong way to be creative
- You'll learn 'by doing' and always feel fully included and supported
- Benefit from our incredible campus and its industry-standard studios, and use state-of-the-art equipment and software to unleash your creativity
Book your place today
Book nowMeet your tutor
Grainne Reynolds
Silver Clay Artist and Tutor