This course will take a sustainable approach by using UK woods and found wooden objects to make sculptural contemporary jewellery. Shape and transform bog oak, oak and found objects with linking mechanisms and cold connections to make finished pieces. You will think about how the ideas, materials, construction and finishes all need to be considered in conjunction with one another to make a successful piece. You will also explore a broad range of surface techniques, including silver inlay, paint, ebonizing and Shou Sugi Ban, that allow humble woods to be transformed into exciting jewellery pieces. There will be guided exercises which you can adapt to your own designs so you will have completed pieces or, if you prefer, a range of samples. There will be step-by-step handouts that include guidance on how to source sustainably orientated supplies. You are encouraged to bring your own found wooden objects or wood offcuts to use for experimentation.
We will also look at the amazing range and diversity of jewellery made in wood by a range of internationally renowned studio jewellers.
This course is suitable for complete beginners or those with some jewellery experience who want to broaden their material possibilities with only minor adaptation to their current hand tools.
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, 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)
Sarah King specialises in mixing precious and non-precious materials in jewellery. She has pieces in numerous public collections (including Crafts Council and British Council) and books on contemporary jewellery. She won the Association of Contemporary Jewellery Prize and several Goldsmiths' Craftmanship and Design Awards. She has over ten years' teaching experience and also teaches at Central St. Martins and Morley College.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.