Coloured resin jewellery: a masterclass with Kathie Murphy
Please note: you will be required to bring along some materials, listed below in section 6.
This course has now finished
Course Code: VV656
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Expert jeweller Kathie Murphy will guide you through the varied techniques and safe methods of working with resin,
from making moulds to creating unusual effects, introducing striking colour, light and shape to your designs.
What will we cover?
- Making your own master and mould to cast resin jewellery
- Creative effects using resin, and colouring resin for use as a cold enamel
- How to use colour in your own designs
- Health and safety considerations
- How other jewellers have used resin in their own work.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Work confidently by yourself in resin and silicone rubber
- Make a master and mould
- Cast and colour resin
- Understand various methods of using resin
- Know how to drill, finish, polish and add findings to your resin pieces.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for everyone, from beginners to experienced jewellers, and guidance will be tailored accordingly. You will need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussions. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will be in a group with demonstrations from the tutor, and individual tutoring where needed.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring on the FIRST session, an apron, cardboard box i.e. cereal packet, scalpel/craft knife, scissors, steel ruler, masking tape, tweezers, on the SECOND session, items to put in resin e.g. coloured paper, material, threads, sequins/beads, and dried items such as pressed flowers, insects or feathers.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Suitable follow-on courses may include:
VV873 - Jewellery: wax carving workshop
VV719 - Jewellery making: carving, casting and finishing
Your tutor will be able to advise you during the course.
Kathie Murphy started jewellery evening classes at the age of 14 and went on to gain a degree from Middlesex Polytechnic and then a post graduate Diploma from Glasgow School of Art in the subject. Since 1992 Murphy has specialised in working in Polyester resin and continues to explore the possibilities of this material: a thermosetting plastic, which can be coloured in its raw state, a liquid, before casting in moulds. Experienced in making all her own masters and moulds as well as colouring and working in a variety of resins her jewellery emphasises the individual in each piece and the maxim that plastic is precious. Her work is in the collection of International jewellery at the Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, Aberdeen City Art Gallery and National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.In 2002 she had a book published by A&C Black Ltd titled Resin Jewellery and in 2009 with the same publishers, Design and Make non-precious jewellery.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.