Jewellery: Open Studio (JE95 Summer)

A great opportunity for those with an existing knowledge of jewellery making to work independently or refine their skills with assistance from an artist tutor.

What will you learn on this course?

This course enables experienced jewellery makers to develop their own designs and realise them in our fully equipped studio with the support and guidance of an artist tutor. You will work on individual projects at your own pace with access to a range of professional equipment, including work benches, soldering hearth and blowtorch, enamelling kiln, etching solutions, polishing motor, and various hand tools.

You will be expected to work independently, but the tutor will be available to provide one-to-one support as and when needed. This may include encouraging you to try different processes, such as granulation or casting techniques using wax, and guiding you through the specific techniques required.

Improvers can expect moderate support from the tutor and guided demonstrations of specific processes. Advanced students generally seek advice on particular aspects of their design, require a refresher on a particular process, or simply want to create work in a shared studio space.

On completing the course, you will have produced completed pieces of jewellery to your own design and further developed your skills and confidence in jewellery making.

Learners who create valuable jewellery from precious metals in our Jewellery Studio will now have the opportunity to have their work hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay Office using the official MAC hallmark. This exciting new partnership offers MAC learners a discounted rate and opportunity to use the MAC hallmark to authenticate their finished designs, alongside access to discounted specialist courses run by the Assay Office.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for adults aged 18+ years. It is open to improver and advanced level students who have a good working knowledge of jewellery construction and are confident working independently. All students should come with their own design ideas. This is not a taught course but an opportunity to work independently with support available when needed.

At the heart of MAC is a focus on accessibility and inclusion. Please contact us to discuss your specific access needs. A high level of manual dexterity and tool handling is required. The room is wheelchair accessible. A support worker or carer may assist; carers must book a complimentary ticket if attending to provide support.

Do you need to bring anything?

Students are required to wear flat closed-toe shoes, preferably trainers or boots, as this is a workshop environment with heavy tools, soldering equipment, and a kiln. Unsuitable footwear may result in the student not being able to take part in the session.

Long hair must be tied back. Protective equipment will be provided with the guidance of the tutor.

You will need to purchase materials for the jewellery you wish to make as below.

Are there any additional costs?

There are additional costs for materials such as base metals, sterling silver, solder, saw blades, and findings. These can be purchased from MAC individually or in packs.

Jewellery Start Pack – 2x copper sheets, 2x brass sheets, 2x wet & dry paper, 2M copper wire, 12x saw blades.

Silver by the gram.

Discounted hallmarking services using the MAC official hallmark. Cost will be determined by individual items and subject to a handling fee.

Please contact us for pricing information.

Who teaches this course?

Chloe Minihane Slater

During the Summer Term, April 2025, this course may be affected by building work taking place at MAC. Participants will be notified in advance of any updates.