Jewellery: chain making
Time: 10:30 - 16:30
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: VV909
- Dates: 31/05/24 - 05/07/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Elizabeth Bone
Course Code: VV909
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
We will cover the basic techniques of working with wire and chain making. You will then be able to extend these techniques to create a particular chain pattern and more complex links. You will be able to create a bespoke chain to your own design. We will explore clasps and catches and creating bespoke fasteners for chain.
What will we cover?
- basic techniques of wire working and chain making
- drawing and shaping wire
- making jump rings
- create loop-in-loop chain, joining the rings
- soldering
- creating simple chains and more complex patterns (e.g., curb, cuban, figaro, rope etc).
- try out a variety of loop sizes: small and delicate to large and strong
- try out a variety of loop shapes: circular, flat and twisted
- create a variety of samples
- traditional chain for wrist or neck
- rings, earrings
- creating / attaching (bespoke) fasteners and clasps
- cleaning and polishing, or adding other finishes like satin, brushed etc.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- identify different types of chains
- draw wire down in size
- change the profile / shape of a round wire
- create a decorative wire
- make jump rings
- solder jump rings and links
- create several different chain samples
- create several different clasp samples
- design a clasp for a chain
- explore different finishes and use safe working practices to apply a finish to your completed chain
- use your new skills to design and make a chain
- incorporate chain making into your jewellery making.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for beginners with basic jewellery making techniques and intermediate levels.
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 demonstrations, hand-outs, practical activities, group discussions and individual tuition.
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, etc.).
You will need to provide your own metal if wishing to work in silver or on a large scale. Your tutor will be happy to advise. You are advised that sensible footwear must be worn in studio 308. For health and safety reasons, no sandals, open shoes & 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.
Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.
Elizabeth Bone is a professional Jewellery artist, maker, educator & author. She has been designing & making jewellery for over 25 years, exhibiting & selling in the UK, Europe, America & Japan. Elizabeth’s work has been featured in numerous jewellery publications & purchased by private collectors from all over the world. Elizabeth is a skilled maker who employs hand-fabricating techniques in her own work. She has a BA in Crafts - wood, metal, ceramics and textiles. After graduation Elizabeth was apprenticed to the jewellery artist Wendy Ramshaw where she became her principal workshop assistant for 10 years. In 2011 Elizabeth was commissioned to write a book, Silversmithing for Jewellery Makers – techniques, treatments & applications for inspirational design published in the UK, USA and China. Elizabeth is passionate about sharing her knowledge, her teaching experience at degree level and in adult education covers a broad spectrum of levels and subject areas and spans her career.
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.