Jewellery making: cold connections

What is the course about?

Cold connections provide ways of joining that do not involve heat and soldering. They are useful when joining different
materials to metal or when incorporating a material into a piece of jewellery that will not withstand heat. They can
be purely functional, such as a hinge, but they can also combine function and decoration together like tabs and
rivets.

What will we cover?

- We will explore how to join a number of different materials together using a variety of techniques including rivets
and tabs.
- Choosing which cold connections are best for your design.
- Working with wire and tube to produce rivets, fastenings and connections.
- Working with sheet metal to produce tabs.
- Drilling and countersinking holes.
- The correct use of any tools and materials involved
- Health and safety issues around the workshop equipment.

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

-Discuss and share examples of cold connections.
- Recognise when it is appropriate to use cold connections.
- Compare a number of different types of cold connections.
- Produce a number of cold connection samples.
- Identify where cold connections can be used successfully in your own work.
- Create test pieces / models that relate to individual areas of interest.
- Prepare tube and wire for rivets.
- Create a piece of jewellery using cold connections.
- Select and work with appropriate tools, processes and techniques to create cold connections.
- Discuss what you have learned and apply your new skills and knowledge to your jewellery practice.
- Contribute to a culture of mutual support within the group, and enjoy the profitable exchange of ideas, information and inspiration.
- Apply Health & Safety best practice to your jewellery-making.

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

This course is suitable for beginners with some basic experience as well those of an intermediate level wishing to
extend their skills. You should be confident cutting metal, using a piercing saw as well as a file and using a torch to
anneal metal.

You will need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for 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 samples, practical demonstrations both to the group and to individuals and, handouts.

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

City Lit provides almost all the basic tools and equipment you will need, as well as basic materials in reasonable
quantities, such as hard silver solder and base metals (copper and brass), and other materials such as saw blades
and chemicals pickle, borax, etc. You may bring your own metal to use if you wish to, and if you want to work in
precious metal you will need to supply your own. If you have any materials that you would like to work with, please
bring these along to the first session.

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.

Browse our current online offer for complementary courses.Your tutor will also be able to advise you on your course.