Beginners Course
Overview
- Â Release date for booking onto the April course will be on Saturday 17th February at 10am! Â Sorry but it will not be bookable before this date.
- Bookings can only be accepted via the website.
- This is the booking for the course beginning Thursday 25th April 2024 – Thursday 20th June.
- The courses run during term time only, so no class on 30th May 2024.
- Classes run from 6.30pm – 9pm at the BENCHspace studio on the Shipyard Estate in Brightlingsea.
- This 8-week course runs three times each year, in January, April, and September. It is an excellent starting point to learn or refresh the fundamental making skills required to make your own work in metal.
The beginner’s course is about introducing you to as many processes and tools as possible and is based on the acquisition of skills. This course is not outcome based i.e. we do not aim to make a finished piece of jewellery each session, although you will finish a small collection of pieces (dependant on the individual) by the end of the course.
Each two-and-a-half-hour session, running from 6.30pm to 9pm, is designed to give you maximum hands-on practical time in the workshop, getting used to selecting, holding, and using the tools efficiently.
A list of essential tools and equipment will be provided to set up your own workbench at home if you wish, along with a list of trusted suppliers for all your jewellery making needs.
After completing the beginners course, you could always enrol on the next improvers course to extend your skills further. I currently offer 3 improvers courses; each building on the previous skills to extend your skill set and tackle more challenging techniques.
Our “BENCHspacers” are makers who have completed all the courses and are then able to work independently, have their own supported bench-hire sessions. The “BENCHspace Collective” where we get together to sell our jewellery at pop-up events and artists/ craft markets, this is a supportive way to start selling and promoting your work (This is only open to BENCHspace students).
What you'll learn
- Safe workshop practice
- Exploring the surface texture of metals by embossing, hammering, etching & stamping
- Correct use of piercing saw e.g., fitting blades and learning how to cut out precise internal/ external designs in metal by hand
- How to drill holes in metal using a variety of different tools
- Introduction to making your own wire, how to make findings and wire related jewellery
- Introduction to silver soldering techniques
- How to order supplies and precious metals
- How to size, measure and make rings
- How to make earring fittings and earrings
- Doming and swaging, design skills as well as polishing and finishing
- People work at their own pace and therefore projects covered depend on individual progress
- Finishing and polishing your work to a high standard
- Making your own designs in silver to wear forever
Booking is easy!
Please read the full Terms of Booking, and particularly the REFUNDS policy within those terms BEFORE making your booking.
£220.00 Per Person
Features
- 8 WEEK BEGINNERS COURSE (LEVEL 1)
- Limited to 8 spaces to ensure quality time with each student.
- Unlimited refreshments available throughout the session.
- Step-by-step tuition with tutor demonstrations given throughout the session, resulting in high quality student outcomes.
- 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!