BENCHspace ...because making matters
creativity, community, craft
BENCHspace is a silversmithing and jewellery workshop that offers you the opportunity to come and make bespoke jewellery in your own unique style.
Taster Sessions
BENCHspace offers a range of taster sessions, courses and masterclasses to build up your skill set with step-by-step expert tuition, enabling you to spend some creative ‘me’ time in our fully equipped workshop. For all abilities, from absolute beginner to competent jeweller.
Taster sessions are a perfect gift for those special celebrations – including birthdays, anniversaries, hen parties, bridal parties, (to make bridesmaid, best man, bride and groom gifts) corporate away days, team building and creative time with friends.
Great for friends and family
Bring your friends and family to share your special occasion, creating amazing jewellery to wear home with pride and great memories to share.
Your Expert Instructor
Karen Cooke
I have over 30 years of experience in the jewellery trade and am a fully qualified teacher, silversmith and jeweller and have taught all ages and abilities over the years. I look forward to supporting you in all your making adventures.
In the last 12 months
Why Choose Us
Here are a few reasons
- Enjoy learning in our fully equipped jewellery workshop.
- Each person has their own jewellers’ bench with full set of tools.
- Make your own amazing jewellery to fit perfectly in your own unique style!
Testimonials
What people are saying
Have a creative summer…
The last remaining spots on our 3 day summer school (and bezel bootcamp) are available… but not for long.
Book your spot and learn some wonderful new skills.
You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
1️⃣8️⃣1️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks for all our brilliant reviews! Check them out on our website (home page).
It’s always so good to know how much you all love coming to BENCHspace.
We love seeing you make amazing jewellery, that we know will be worn everyday and cherished forever.
Book a taster session, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
#jewellerymakingworkshops #jewellerymakingclasses #benchspacejewelleryclasses #esssexdaysout
Sea-glass treasures and gemstones galore !
Our 2 day Bezel Bootcamp will be focusing on setting seaglass and gemstone cabochons in silver jewellery…
Suitable for all abilities to either refresh your skills or learn them for the first time!
Visit bench-space.com for more details.
Gems and seaglass available to purchase on the day.
Our new gemstone set silver ring workshop is now available for booking!
Sunday 4th May (10am-1.30pm )
Add a little sparkle and make yourself a beautiful silver ring. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
A hand made silver necklace with toggle catch made by John in our Tuesday evening classes. He liked the bracelet project so much he just couldn’t stop!
⛓️🔗⛓️🔗⛓️🔗⛓️🔗⛓️🔗⛓️🔗⛓️🔗⛓️💪
#benchspacesilverschool #jewellerymaker #jewelleryworkshop #jewelleryworkshop #jewellerybeginner #handmadechainnecklace
Jewellery making Summer school.
Spend 3 days in our professional studio getting to grips with all the essential tools and processes to start making your own style of jewellery.
To browse or book visit bench-space.com
You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
#jewellerybeginnerscourse #benchspacesilverschool #bemorecreative #getahobby #jewellerycourses
Pretty Silver necklace made by @eaec001 on our Tuesday sessions…
#benchspacejewelleryclasses #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaker #jewelleryworkshop #silvernecklaceً
Fine silver soldering with a plumbers torch….
Just to show it can be done with less expensive tools.
It’s all about heat placement with soldering… knowing exactly where to place your torch- distance & position plus seeing when your solder has run!
#benchspacejewelleryclasses #handmadejewellery #jewelleryworkshop #jewellerymaker #jewellerybeginner
Our jewellery making taster sessions are a great way to spend creative time with friends, celebrating all your special occasions together….
#friendshipgoals #jewellerylastsforever #weariteveryday #creativelife #lookwhatimade #benchspacejewelleryclasses
A lovely day well spent making beautiful gem set jewellery…
Well done folks 👏👏👏!
Enjoy wearing them x
#creativedaysoutinessex #thingstodoinessex #essex #brightlingsea #friendshipgoals #benchspacesilverschool #jewellerymakingclasses
Now booking for our 3 day Summer school!
Ever fancied making your own jewellery but can’t commit to a weekly course?
Join our super condensed beginners course from 11th-13th July.
For more information visit bench-space.com
You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
These are a few of the wonderful things made recently in our classes…
👏⚒️💪 Well done folks!
Define ‘enough’…. (asking for a friend 😉)
Vintage whitehouse silversmithing hammers on their way!
#newtools #notforstudentssilly #mineallmine
Bothersome bezels ?
Stone setting goals ?
Sea glass jewellery ?
Our two day Bezel Bootcamp is now available online for booking!
More info at bench-space.com
Our forged silver bangle project… level 2 classes
#benchspacesilverschool #benchspacejewelleryclasses #forgedsilverbangles
2 spaces left on our April Masterclass…
Tube and collet setting with @marlieswhite.
Learn from industry expert and Goldsmith Marlies on our one day masterclass in setting sparkly faceted gemstones in your jewellery designs.
Upskill from a pro and learn all the tricks and techniques of the trade.
More info at bench-space.com
It’s always cheaper to make your own sanding sticks than buy them ready made. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Go to any hardware store and buy some wooden battens and round /half round dowel and cut them to length with a coping saw.
I cut them the same length as the Emery paper so I don’t have to waste any.
Use double-sided tape or the cushioned double-sided tape (with a layer of foam) to cover the faces of the wood.
Then stick and roll.
I make them with a full sheet of Emery paper so that you can peel off a layer every time you need a coarser grit. This saves time and therefore money!
I save the peeled layers (😂 of course!) to use for other jobs and keep them in a bag so you always have an odd piece of Emery paper -for using with a split mandrel (pendant motor) or anything else…
Repeat for all the different grits and shapes you need.
Always try and have at least 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 grit ready for when you need them.
As they get worn they get finer and I also like to make one with leather to be used with rouge for a quick shine up!
#benchspacejewelleryclasses #benchspacesilverschool #handmadejewellery #jewelleryworkshop #jewellerytools
A lovely Sunday morning spent with fabulous people…
Well done folks!
(Happy Christmas and Happy birthdays!)
Xx
New tools 🤩!
Amazing unboxing skills …
#silvercharms
@geminaltd
#benchspacejewelleryclasses #benchspacesilverschool #jewelleryworkshop #jewellerymakersofinstagram #shotplatesbygemina #silvercharms
April Masterclass- Organic casting workshop today…
Lots of new skills learnt and new tools and materials to play with!
It’s always a steep learning curve with new processes to get your head round but our lovely BENCHspacers did really well 👏👌.
Cuttlefish, pasta, lentil and water casting samples made and some great pieces to take forward into some new finished jewellery.
#benchspacejewelleryclasses #jewelleryworkshop #handmadejewellery #organiccastings #organicsilvercasting #jewellerymakersofinstagram
