Description of One Day Courses
(For dates and information please see the One Day Courses page here >>)
‘Ring or Bangle’ one day workshop
Start at 9.30am and by 3.30pm you will have made your very own silver ring or silver bangle.
Using traditional tools and sitting at a jeweller’s bench, you will learn to pierce out silver with a fine saw. You will anneal (heat and soften) your silver (or in some cases gold if you are making your wedding rings) with a blow torch and form it into a ring, using jeweller’s hammers and a mandrel.
The tricky bit is soldering the ring together – the energetic bit is cleaning and refining and (for the perfectionists amongst you) the satisfying bit is the final polishing!
This is a one-off chance to make your own ring, with step by step direction from our dedicated tutors.
Please note this course can be quite physical at times, and does involve the use of blow torches, hammers and sharp tools – please contact us in advance to discuss these aspects if you have any concerns, or if you have any physical disability that you think may affect you time in the workshop?
‘Pendant, Earring or Cufflink’ one day workshop
Start at 9.30am and by 3.30pm you will have made your own pair of earrings, cufflinks or a pendant.
In the morning you will sample four different silversmithing processes:
- Detailed work is then done sitting at a jeweller’s bench, piercing out the silver with a fine saw.
- We also look at such techniques as texturing the silver with hammers and punches – noisy and fun…
- …but leave some energy for other processes, such as using the rolling mill!
After lunch, you will begin your piece using one or more of your newly learnt skills, under the close supervision of our dedicated tutors. Finally, step by step, links are soldered and cufflinks and ear wires are positioned so that you end up with your own unique piece of silver jewellery.
We hope you enjoy these workshops, have fun and enjoy wearing your own bespoke piece of jewellery!
On both days we allocate about half an hour for lunch. There are various place to find something to eat in the village:
- Loafing Bakery is a few metres from the workshop – we’re in there daily for coffee and great sandwiches!
- Brimarks the butcher (a few doors down) have sliced meats, cheese, mini pies and pasties.
- Marley’s Café (again a few doors down) sells light dishes & sandwiches (and their ice cream bicycle can be spotted on sunny days).
- Tesco (over the road) have a range of sandwiches and snacks…
After your course you might like a few celebratory drinks at The Bull (a Miller & Carter Steakhouse, renowned for its steak) right opposite the shop, or The Wicked Lady on the approach to the village!