Summer Vibes Jewellery Making Workshop

In this introductory course you will experience the use of a range of jewellery tools and techniques in a friendly and relaxed environment. Your experienced tutor will guide you through a range of techniques for basic introductory jewellery making. You will have the opportunity to learn different styles and explore design ideas.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Prerequisite
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Course Objectives
You will be guided through the following techniques:

Sawing/piercing - Become proficient in setting up and using the jeweller's piercing saw to cut metal to size.

Annealing, texturing and shaping - You will gain an understanding in how to gently heat your metal to soften it, allowing you to then decorate and shape your metal. You will learn how to measure a ring size; form, shape and use a hand held oxy/gas torch to solder your silver.

Reticulation, granulation, doming and jewellery findings – You will become able to bring rich depth to your pieces with ancient metallurgic knowledge and 3 Dimensional shapes. You will have the opportunity to learn how to make your own catches, earring hooks and jump-rings.

Finishing - You will acquire a knowledge of how to file and polish your finished design and introduce colour to your work using patination techniques.

Course Outcomes
The focus of this course is to refine your skills and produce a high standard silver gem set ring or pendant. The skills you learn can be used later with pendants, bracelets, earrings and organic forms, such as sea glass.

You will be introduced to industry standard machinery and equipment that will help you to refine your approach to jewellery making. Everyone will complete one bezel set semi precious stone silver ring or pendant.

What’s Included
All materials included. A take home starter kit is supplied for your initial projects (day one) and a small selection of precious metals and base metals for your remaining designs. Sterling silver for your ring/ pendant, sterling silver sheet and consumables is supplied.

The Tutor: Erin Keys
Erin Keys has over 20 years experience as a jeweller, designer and educator with a diverse range of achievements in various facets of craft and design. Participating in nearly 100 exhibitions in Australia and overseas since 1999, her practice spans one-off exhibition pieces, bespoke commissions and a limited edition laser cut production range available through several stockists.

Erin has taught beginner to advanced jewellery courses at Sturt Summer School, JamFactory, SquarePeg Studios and is currently a sessional teacher at UNSW Art & Design.

For the past 10 years Erin has had extensive involvement with design and education, working as a Jewellery Design Developer for over 5 years at one of Australia's leading design companies Dinosaur Designs and for Louise Olsen X ALEX AND TRAHANAS.