Welcome to the Precious Metals Workshop's courses. We run courses throughout the year at the PMW over three, ten week terms in alignment with the UK's academic timetable. Our Evening classes and weekend workshops aim to have something for everyone and for all levels of skills. Please see our Terms & Conditions when booking any course. Please see our list of courses below for the up coming term. Places are limited to 7 in order to allow good one-to-one time with the tutors and assistants. Any course enquiries can be made directly through our contact heading above.
Our 10 week courses & weekend workshops
This term. . .
17th April - 29th June from 6pm to 8pm
Suitable for all skill levels.
For learners who haven't worked with metal for jewellery before, the first 5 weeks will concentrate on the necessary techniques required to then undertake your own projects. You will learn, saw piercing, filling, drilling, hot and cold connections, texturing, forming and polishing. After this (and for intermediates at the start) you will be encouraged to bring in your own ideas to discuss with the tutor and develop your own work. There will also be an option to learn some more advanced techniques such as stone setting, etching and casting.
Course led by Jacqueline Bell
Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm
* 9th & 23rd May, 6th and 20th June, 4th July *
CAD (Computer Aided Design) is more and more prevalent in the jewellery world today and becoming a necessary tool to master in order to design, 3D print and then cast your work.
Over 5 fortnightly classes, Anne will introduce you to the fundamentals in CAD and teach you how to create your own jewellery on a digital platform that you can then print and cast.
Course led by Anne Walker
5th & 6th May from 10:30am to 5:30pm
For beginners and intermediates
On this two day (back to back Saturdays) course you will learn how to understand different modelling techniques using software that will enable you to create models that can be fabricated using CAD [computer aided design] to generate product. We will create simple models, using primitives to start with, progressing to 3D surface models and get you started with this fabulous tool.
Attendees should have:
• Your own laptop, power cable and mouse.
• An open mind, be enthusiastic and have plenty of snacks and water to fuel your brain
• Realistic expectations – you will not become proficient in 3D modelling overnight. This software requires dedication to practice….
Course led by Anne Walker
12th & 13th May from 10:30am - 5:30pm
This workshop will explore ways of using Bezel Settings in a more imaginative way, and look at other stonesetting methods to help you choose the best way to make you favorite Gems stand out.
Day 1-Instruction will be given on how to make a bezel to fit any stone, with advice on how to set bits such as corners. We will discuss how to cut into the sides of the Bezel to make it more original and interesting.
Day 2-Depending on the stone to be set, we will work with a variety of settings such as bezels, tabs, gallery, cups, cones and look at the use of prefabricated mounts.
If you have a gemstone which you would like to set please let the tutor know in advance, if not a selection will be available to choose from
Course led by Jaqueline Bell
Sunday 20th May from 10:30am - 5:30pm
For beginners and intermediates
Our most popular course. This one-day workshop is a great introduction to the tools and methods used by professional jewellery makers. You will make your own custom fitted silver ring to start and then choose from our faceted gems and cabochons to set into it. For cabochons you will use a thin silver bezel to fit around it snugly and for faceted stones you will be working with silver tube to set it.
Course led by Jaqueline Bell
Saturday 26th May from 10:30am - 5:30pm
For all levels.
This class will teach beginner students the ancient Scandinavian craft of weaving wire into circular intricate chains and jewellery by the method called Viking Weave. Without the need for heat or complicated tools.
With the techniques presented, you will learn to create items like the ones found in many Viking burials and treasure hoards across the Nordic countries dating from the 9th century to the late 12th century. Timeless items can be created from this method that are still beautiful and wearable today.
Course led by Cameron Murdoch
Saturday 2nd June from 10:30am to 5:30pm
For beginners and intermediates
Interested in learning how to apply colour to your metals? Then this one day workshop might be ideal for you. The class will be working with copper, but if you have your own silver and wish to bring it along then please do so. You will be shown how to apply colour to your metals and will spend the day experimenting with as much colour and tone as you like. By the end of the day you will have a range of your own colour samples and a finished piece of jewellery to take home.
Course led by Amanda McGrattan
Saturday 9th June from 10:30am to 5:30pm
Indian Bead Weaving is a great technique for those with the minimum of space and needs a minimum of tools, so it's easy to get started. Knitters and stitchers will love this technique, as will anyone looking for a new, intricate and colourful jewellery skill to try. With the basics learnt in this class you will be able to go away and create your own designs. A great way to relax and create some mindfulness.
Great for anyone with an eye for detail and a little patience, this class is suitable for absolute beginners, or anyone who needs a refresher in the art of Indian Bead Weaving.
Course led by Cameron Murdoch
Sunday 17th June from 10:30am to 5:30pm
For beginners and intermediates
Our most popular course. This one-day workshop is a great introduction to the tools and methods used by professional jewellery makers. You will make your own custom fitted silver ring to start and then choose from our faceted gems and cabochons to set into it. For cabochons you will use a thin silver bezel to fit around it snugly and for faceted stones you will be working with silver tube to set it.
Course led by Jaqueline Bell
30th June and 1st July from 10:30am to 5:30pm
Suitable for beginners and intermediate makers.
For all levels. One of our most fun courses. On day one you will spend your time designing and carving your own ring or pendant from wax. That evening we will attach wax sprues and create “wax trees” of all the work. They will be set in a steel flask in investment powder (plaster of paris) and left in a kiln over night to allow the wax to burn out. Day two will start with molten silver pours into the flasks to create metal versions of the wax carvings which you will then spend the rest of the day cleaning to filing to finishing the weekend with your own unique cast piece of silver jewellery.
Course led by Mirka Janeckova
Saturday 16th June from 10:30am to 5:30pm
For all levels of jeweller
For all levels of jeweller. What do you do with all your scrap silver? Do you bin it? Do you send it back to the bullion suppliers for cash? WHY?! This valuable commodity has so much more use than that, to which you can make so much more than the value you are paid. On this one day course you will melt your scrap, pour an ingot and form sheet and wire from it. Why not even try forging a spoon from it? One person’s trash is another's treasure!
Course led by Rae Brown
This Terms dates - Monday 16th April - Saturday 16th June. Half term week Monday 21st May.
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16th April - 29th June from 6pm-8pm
Suitable for all skill levels.
For learners who haven't worked with metal for jewellery before, the first 5 weeks will concentrate on the necessary techniques required to then undertake your own projects. You will learn, saw piercing, filling, drilling, hot and cold connections, texturing, forming and polishing. After this (and for intermediates at the start) you will be encouraged to bring in your own ideas to discuss with the tutor and develop your own work. There will also be an option to learn some more advanced techniques such as stone setting, etching and casting.
Course led by Jacqueline Bell