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Silversmithing Jewellery Workshop (Stage 1)

  • Ages: 18+
  • Term: Autumn, spring
  • Length: 10 weeks

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

Autumn term 2024

Wednesday 9 October – 11 December 2024 (10 Wednesdays, 18.00-21.00)

OR

Saturday 12, 26 October; 9, 23 November; 7 December 2024 (5 alternating Saturdays, 09.00-16.00)

OR

Saturday 19 October; 2, 16, 30 November; 14 December 2024 (5 alternating Saturdays, 09.00-16.00)

Spring term 2025

Wednesday 5 February – 9 April 2025 (10 Wednesdays, 18.00-21.00)

OR

Saturday 8, 22 February; 8, 22 March; 5 April (5 alternating Saturdays, 09.00-16.00)

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

The first four classes will cover fundamental jewellery making skills that you’ll need throughout the rest of the course. Ensure you can commit to these before booking your place.

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.

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

£349

Any additional costs

Please be aware you'll need to purchase the silver 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 also 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.

You’ll also need to supply some basic study materials. Likewise, you’ll need to dress appropriately for the class for health and safety reasons. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

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

  • Notebook and pens/pencils to make notes
  • Wear old clothes or an apron
  • Wear closed-toe shoes
  • Glasses if you need them for close-up work
  • Long hair must be tied back
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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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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 T&Cs

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

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. 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 tutors, Sammy O’Brien and Yvette Cannon.

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

At the end of the course you'll:

  • 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
  • Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
  • 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 shortcourses@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed

Will I be assessed?

No, there is 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.

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Book your place today

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Meet your tutors

Image of tutor Samantha O'Brien

Samantha O'Brien

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

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...

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.

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We're a first-choice provider of art and design short courses for anyone wishing to engage in art and design subjects in their spare time.

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How to book

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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