Jewellery – hollow forms with Chris Carpenter

Jewellery

Ref: SLW31703

Location: West Dean
£441
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About this course

Learn about the many different ways to make hollow forms for earrings, pendants, brooches, rings and elements in necklaces.

Course Description

Hollow forms have something very special about them. They hold a space, a compartment, a partition, or a secret. They can be empty, holding nothing, or they can be filled with something personal, or they can be simply a very pleasing object.

There are many shapes that can be made: spheres, cubes, barrels, lenses, tubes and all sorts of abstract forms. They can have textures or be left smooth. They can be closed or slightly open. They can be full of holes or even cage-like.

On the course, the tutor will show how various forms are made. He will demonstrate how he often starts a piece by making a paper or card model of an idea, which is very helpful to work out how to construct the piece. It can be made from one piece of sheet or, inevitably, more sections can be soldered together.

Various soldering techniques will also be demonstrated that will make your jewellery making less frustrating and more confident.

By the end of the course you will have learnt to develop an idea through planning and constructing with card, through to a hollow formed piece of your choice incorporating the use of various soldering techniques where necessary. Your tutor will give you one to one tuition to develop your idea through to the successful completion of a final piece.

Please contact the tutor before the start of the course to discuss projects and metal by emailing: [email protected]

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

What students need to bring

  • You will need to purchase silver or copper to complete your project. This can be purchased in advance from a supplier, alternatively the College Shop stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings in set sizes and lengths.
  • Apron
  • Protective eyewear (provided by the college, but bring if you prefer to use your own)
  • If you have any tools of your own, please bring them with you (and ensure they are marked with your name).
  • You may wish to bring 1mm sheet silver, depending on your design idea.
  • A useful supplier of tools and metals is Cookson Precious Metals, Hatton Garden https://www.cooksongold.com
  • If you have an idea for a project and require advice about materials, please contact the tutor by emailing: [email protected] before the start of the course.

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Silver can be purchased from the College Shop, which stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings. These will be available in set sizes and lengths, suitable for a wide range of projects.
  • Pens, pencils and drawing materials
  • Solder
  • Saw blades
  • Tools

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes). Possible equipment restrictions in tutor absence.

Tutors

Chris Carpenter

Chris is an accomplished jeweller who, having graduated with a BA, furthered his practical skills and style at the Art School in Zurich, studying in the Goldsmiths’ class.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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