Details

A week that will genuinely surprise you. By Friday afternoon you'll be wearing a collection of pieces you've made yourself, with skills you can build on, and quite possibly a new creative obsession. This five-day course is the most complete introduction to silversmithing we offer. Each day builds on the last, taking you from the absolute fundamentals through to techniques that most people assume take years to learn. It's immersive, hands-on, and paced so that you really get to grips with each process before moving on — not just a taster, but a proper foundation. Who is this course for? Designed for complete beginners — you don't need any prior experience of jewellery making or metalwork. The course is also well suited to anyone who has dabbled a little and wants a structured week to build their skills properly. A good level of dexterity and close-up vision is helpful given the detailed nature of the work. Open to participants aged 16 and over; under-18s are welcome with an accompanying adult. What will you learn? The week follows a carefully sequenced series of projects, each one introducing new techniques and building on what came before. You'll cover: - Saw piercing, drilling and precision filing - Annealing, soldering and basic heat treatment - Using the rolling mill to texture metal and process wire and sheet - Making jump rings, chains and clasps - Doming and anticlastic raising - Riveting techniques - Ring sizing and band making - Forming and fitting a bezel setting for a cabochon stone - Polishing and finishing to a professional standard We start with two practice pieces in copper — which means you get to learn the techniques and make your mistakes where it doesn't matter, before moving into sterling silver with real confidence. Your silver projects include roll-printed earrings and a bezel-set ring with a stone of your choice. What's included? Everything you need is provided in our fully equipped studio in the heart of beautiful Alcester: - All tools and equipment throughout the week - Copper for your practice pieces - Sterling silver for your finished projects - Cabochon stone for your ring, chosen from our selection - Tea, coffee and biscuits every day - A lunch break from 12.30–1.30pm each day What should I bring? - Reading glasses if you use them, and magnifying goggles if you have any - Closed-toe shoes (essential when working with tools and heat) - Long hair tied back, and avoid loose or flowing sleeves