Introduction to jewellery making

What is the course about?

On this course you will discover a whole range of basic metal jewellery-making skills such as cutting out shapes in  sheet metal, twisting wire, texturing, etching, forging and soldering, as well as some basic stone-setting  techniques.  You will practise your skills on a range of set projects, and by the end of the course will apply your new  techniques . to one or more jewellery pieces of your own design. This course is ideal for beginners, but also as a refresher

What will we cover?

Beginners will learn basic jewellery making skills - piercing, filing, drilling, texturing, etching, polishing, annealing, soldering and basic stone setting. You will apply these skills through the designing and making of jewellery pieces.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Cut and form sheet metal and wire

   - Anneal and solder metal

  - Experiment a range of surface finishes on metal including roll printing, etching

     - Make a simple stone setting and set a semi-precious stone

       - Design and make a piece of work using skills you have learnt

        - Apply Health & Safety best practice for jewellery making.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for beginners, or those with some previous experience who wish to brush up on their basic skills. You should 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?

Through practical demonstrations, shown examples of jewellery displaying how various skills are implemented hand outs, practical activities, group discussions and individual tuition. You will receive a learning support pack that gather information and recommendations such as book, tools and jewellery material suppliers, galleries and exhibitions which you can visit in your own time.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

All the basic tools and equipment you will need for this course are provided. City Lit will also provide some basic  materials in reasonable quantities, such as base metals (copper, gilding metal, etc.) and other materials (paper, pens, etc.) chemicals (pickle, borax, etc.) and sundries (polishing compound, etching resist etc.). You will need to provide your own metal if you wish to work in silver or on a large scale.  You will also need a sketchbook for your  design work and to write notes. As you gain experience you might want to invest in your own tools. You are advised that sensible footwear must be worn in the studio. For heath and safety reasons no sandals, open shoes or small pumps can be worn, even in hot weather.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.

 The courses below might complement what you learned on this course:

  VV976 Precious metal clay: weekend workshop

   VV364 Experimental jewellery

    VV616 Precious metal clay: setting stones.