Silver jewellery – stacking rings with Laila Smith

Jewellery

Ref: SWE12526

Suitable for all £293
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About this course

Create a beautiful stacking silver ring set. Techniques covered include designing, sizing, forming, piercing, texturing and soldering.

Course Description

Create a beautiful stacking silver ring set. Techniques covered include designing, sizing, forming, piercing, texturing and soldering.

The course aim is to consider how a stack of rings will work together before making your ring set, looking at the design problems and solutions that come with making a set of rings to be worn together.

You will be exploring textures, surfaces and/or repeated motifs to inform your finished set of rings.

Your sampled textures and/or repeated shapes will be undertaken in copper before working on the finished silver ring set.

Following a demonstration, you will explore surfaces and textures. You will then be encouraged to explore your ideas with the tutor by reflecting on these samples and your design ideas. You will make the shank (bands) of your rings following a full demonstration of sizing rings, measuring. You will learn how to make a ring step-by-step with demonstrations and notes.

The principal material used on this course is silver, but you may incorporate materials such as copper, and brass in your design. You can also bring broken or unloved pieces of gold jewellery from home, to incorporate into the rings using granulation.

You will be encouraged to create a number of samples during the course showing textures and shapes. As well as your finished rings, you will have a selection of ideas to incorporate into future projects should you wish. You should produce a beautiful set of two or three silver stacking rings.

At the end of the course, there will be a short review of the work everyone has made.

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

Included

  • Silver wire and sheet for basic rings. Copper sheet for texture samples.

What students need to bring

  • Please bring any ideas in your sketchbooks, if you have them.
  • You can also bring broken or unloved pieces of gold jewellery from home to incorporate into the rings using granulation if desired.
  • Something to tie your hair back with, if it is long

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Silver, copper and brass for creating additions to your rings.
  • 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.
  • Available from tutor:
  • Silver, copper and brass for creating additions to your rings.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).

Tutors

Laila Smith

Laila Smith is a studio jeweller and tutor. Her mathematically inspired geometric jewellery is sold across the UK. She trained at Manchester Metropolitan University and then undertook a 15 month Fellowship in The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. She has 17 years teaching experience, both in further, higher education and leisure classes.

Accommodation

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

Courses of interest

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Our Foundation Degree in Metalwork will enhance your employment prospects, give you the skills to set up as a self-employed craftsperson or allow you to continue to higher education. Encompassing both silversmithing and blacksmithing, you will learn practical skills, material properties, placing your work in a broader context and historic metalworking techniques. Find out more

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