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Silver ring designed with a snake wrapped around it.

Silversmithing Jewellery Workshop (stage 1)

Overview

On this hands-on course you’ll have the chance to learn how to design and make your own unique, stunning silver jewellery.

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. In spring you can study either on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Choose your preferred term and weekday when booking.

Please note, the first few classes will cover the core learning elements so it's recommended that you attend all classes from the start date as your learning and enjoyment may be considerably impacted by missing these early fundamental classes.

Autumn term 2023 (Wednesdays)

Wednesday 4 October – 6 December 2023

18.00-21.00

Autumn term 2023 (Saturdays)

Saturday 14, 28 October; 11, 25 November; 9 December 2023

09.00-16.00

Spring term 2024 (Wednesdays)

Wednesday 17 January – 20 March 2024

18.00-21.00

Spring term 2024 (Saturdays)

Saturday 20 January; 3, 17 February; 2, 16 March 2023

09.00-16.00

How long is the course?

10 Wednesday evenings (Wednesday option)

5 Saturdays (Saturday option)

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?

£349

What's included in this price?

  • All jewellery making tools
  • A notebook and pens/pencils for notes

Are there additional costs?

Please be aware you'll need to purchase the silver and any additional materials for your pieces. This will incur an additional cost on top of your course fee.

You’ll be able to purchase silver through your tutor during your first lesson, or you can purchase it independently. You’ll be provided with a list of suggested suppliers during your first class.

Costs will vary according to the amount of silver that you choose to use in your designs. Projects can be designed to suit everyone’s budget.

What should you bring to class?

  • 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
  • Learn how to use specialist tools required for working with silver 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
  • Study in an encouraging and friendly setting alongside 12 like-minded creatives

About this course

Developed for beginners, this practical course will enable you to design and create your own pieces of jewellery in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. You'll be guided through the basic principles of jewellery making and introduced to the tools you'll be using such as the piercing saw, hammers, pliers, and blowtorch for silver soldering.

Before you start working with any metal or tools, you’ll receive a thorough induction to the workshop. You’ll be provided with relevant health and safety information regarding good workshop practice. As you go along, you’ll learn how to use the jewellery making tools safely and efficiently.

You'll start working with copper for practise before moving onto working with silver. You’ll experiment with different silversmithing techniques and hone your skills. Your first silver piece of jewellery will be a ring sized to fit you.

After you’ve conquered the fundamental skills needed in silversmithing you’ll work on your own collection of jewellery, under the guidance of our expert jewellery tutor.

Each session will cover a specific area of silversmithing, with examples, and will be followed by a practical mini brief designed to allow you to enhance your design skills and practise your new-found practical skills.

One of the great advantages of working with silver is that it’s relatively easy to continue working at home after the class without a big investment, as you can use a small selection of tools to start with.

  • Piercing
  • Soldering
  • Texturing, granulation
  • Riveting, combining metals
  • Sanding, polishing, and burnishing
  • Basic cabochon setting

  • Possess improved design and jewellery making skills using silver
  • 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
  • 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 and earn a Level 2 Skills Education Group accredited qualification in Jewellery Design; this’ll open the door to further academic study
  • Expand on your current silversmithing skills by taking our advanced Silversmithing Jewellery Workshop (stage 2) course next term
  • 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
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Book your place today

Book now

Meet your tutors

If you choose to study this course on Wednesdays you’ll be taught by Lesley H. Phillips, and if you opt for Saturdays you’ll be taught by Yvette Cannon. Imogen Hughes will assist all courses.

tutor for jewellery making course

Yvette Cannon

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

Important information about evening and weekend courses

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Short Courses 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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Short Courses Booking Terms and Conditions

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

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Suggested Suppliers

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

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How to Enrol

Looking to book onto one of our Evening and Saturday courses? You’ll find everything you need to book your place here.

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