![A person is using a hammer to form a silver metal at a workstation](https://mac-birmingham.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Learning-and-Participation/2024/Courses/JE04-_-Jewellery-workshop.png?w=760&h=504&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1713521867&s=e549e1b1a5b2231c9d892ca21b8266b5)
About Jewellery Workshop (JE04 Spring)
Extend and develop your jewellery making skills while working on your own project with support from an expert artist tutor. This course if perfect for those who want to improve upon their skills and create their own jewellery!
What will you learn on this course?
This course is designed for those with previous jewellery making experience to learn some new skills, develop their own designs, and realise them in our fully equipped jewellery studio with the support and guidance of an artist tutor.
Improvers will be guided through a series of exercises that will cover a range of techniques and processes to develop existing skills. The tutor will demonstrate processes such as forming, polishing, vitreous enamelling, granulation and casting using wax. You will then have the opportunity to incorporate these processes into your own designs. You will gradually be encouraged to work independently on your own projects with tutor support and guidance given as required.
Advanced students will work on individual projects at your own pace. The tutor will be on hand to support you in realising your designs should any guidance be required. You can take part in the class exercises to learn new techniques or refresh your knowledge.
The fully equipped jewellery studio provides access to a range of professional equipment including work benches, a soldering hearth and blowtorch, enamelling kiln, etching solutions, polishing motor, and various and tools.
On completing this course, you will have 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?
Nick Greenhough