Beginner's Comprehensive Jewellery Course
Level 1 - Term 1
12 Weeks - 2 Terms (6 weeks each term)
Evening Class
PLEASE NOTE - This beginner's course is a 12 week course, split into two 6 week terms.
Students do not need to complete both terms consecutively, nor do they need to complete both terms. You can just do the first term if you prefer.
Each term can be booked and paid for separately. The full course need not be paid up front, and can be paid monthly - however, the fees for each term, needs to be paid for in full before the term starts.
Term 2 Info here:
https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/level-1---term-2-beginners-6-week-course.html
Monday Evenings
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Term 1
Date: 7th October - 11th November 2024 Day: Monday Evenings Time: 7.00 - 9:00 (2 hours per week) Price: £190.00 Age: 16+. Students under 18, will need a parents consent. Tutor: Tracy Hills Term 2 Date: 14th January - 18th February 2025 Day: Tuesday More term 2 Info here https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/level-1---term-2-beginners-6-week-course.html |
Term 1 (2025)
Date: 13th January - 17th February 2025 Day: Monday Evenings Time: 7.00 - 9:00 (2 hours per week) Price: £190.00 Age: 16+. Students under 18, will need a parents consent. Tutor: Tracy Hills Term 2 Date: 18th March - 23rd April Day: Tuesday evenings More term 2 Info here https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/level-1---term-2-beginners-6-week-course.html |
Term 1
Date: 18th March - 22nd April 2025 Day: Monday Evenings Time: 7.00 - 9:00 (2 hours per week) Price: £190.00 Age: 16+. Students under 18, will need a parents consent. Tutor: Tracy Hills Term 2 Date: to be decided Day : Tuesday evenings More term 2 Info here https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/level-1---term-2-beginners-6-week-course.html |
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Class level: Beginners (Term 1)
This beginner course is our most comprehensive to date. Spread over two terms, it is suitable for those with no previous experience at all. This is an extremely intensive and comprehensive metal smith course. The aim of this course is to teach you the absolute fundamentals of jewellery making - so by the end of the second term, you will have covered all the basic skills and techniques of a traditional jeweller. Once completed, it will allow you to go ahead and start making your own silver and gold jewellery. During this 12 week (two term) course you will learn all the basics, like how to pierce (saw) your metal, different types of soldering techniques, how to texture your metal using tools, punches and hammers. How to form and shape your metal, and how how to file and polish your work to give your jewellery a lovely professional finish. By the end of the second term, you will have made an entire collection of jewellery: Stacking rings, spinner rings, charm bracelet chain and hook, slim bangles, cuff bangles, pendants, earrings - both stud and hoops, a bezel stone set ring and a reticulated a pendant. That is quite an achievement! |
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Using only a small selection of hand tools, you will receive a very good grounding in the absolute fundamentals of being a metal smith, which will enable you to set up your own workshop at a reasonable price, and to continue working on your own in the future.
All tuition, tools and materials are included. In the first term we worked primarily in copper, though you will make some items in sterling silver (bezel, tube and reticulated). If you'd like to use silver in the various projects, you can either purchase your own, or buy from Tracy on the day. She can also order in silver for you.
We also provide handouts for each of the techniques you will learn during this course.
All tuition, tools and materials are included. In the first term we worked primarily in copper, though you will make some items in sterling silver (bezel, tube and reticulated). If you'd like to use silver in the various projects, you can either purchase your own, or buy from Tracy on the day. She can also order in silver for you.
We also provide handouts for each of the techniques you will learn during this course.
What to expect from this course:
Week 1
Cutting Metal and Pendant Making. During the first session you will receive an introduction to the workshop, followed by a discussion on health and safety in the workplace.
First up, is the Jeweller's saw. A very important tool for making jewellery. You will mostly use this to cut out (pierce) your metal. After an introduction to it and the saw blades you would use, you will be shown the correct and safe way to pierce out your metal. After practicing, you can then pierce out a small silhouette design of your own choice, which can be used for either a pendant, earrings or charms. You will also be shown how to make jump rings, to allow you to attach it to a chain.
Week 2
Soldering and Stacking rings! You will be shown how to safely operate the two hand torches provided at each student bench. You will learn all about the different types of fluxes, types of solder, and the soldering tools needed - as well as how to clean your metal in a pickle pot.
We then move on to the exciting part - using the torches, to make some stacking rings.
We will begin by using ring sizers and mandrels to size your ring. Using copper, our first project will be to make 3 stacking rings. Once you have completed them, you will be inducted on the hydraulic press - where using some metal dies, you can turn your rings into lovely wavy designs. Or, if you prefer, you can solder on the little accents you pierced out in week 1. You will also be introduced to jewelry files and how to use them to neaten up your work and remove any excess solder.
Week 2
Texturing and Spinner Rings - We will continuing with soldering and ring making, by making a copper spinner ring.
But first, we introduce you to the different hammers and punches we use to texture the metal. You can practice the different hammer strike marks - from dimpled to bark textures, or you can use our decorative punches to create a lovely design or even stamp a name or special word or date onto the metal. Once you have decided what design you'd like to texture your spinner band, you move onto actually texturing, measuring and piercing out your desired size onto your copper ring band. We then solder it, using a slightly different technique to what we did with the stacking rings last week.
Week 3
Polishing and Spinner Ring, continued - This week we will continue with our spinner rings. One the rings have been soldered, you then make the spinners which go around the main band. You can also make the spinners in brass to add an extra pop of colour and interest. As with your stacking rings from the previous week these spinners can either be made wavy or left plain, or you can solder on some accents onto the spinners.
You will then be shown 3 different ways of how to flare the edges of your ring to create your spinner ring.
During this week you will also be introduced to polishing, using the different grades of emery to bring your work up to a high shine.
Week 4
Bangles - Cuff and Bangle - Using copper, you will learn how to measure, form and shape bangles on a bangle mandrel. You then solder it together it together, to form a solid bangle. You can add a dangly charm or bead to the bangle if you like - or you can once again use the hydraulic press and dies, to turn your bangle into a wavy one.
After that you can make a copper cuff bangle. You will be shown how to measure and size before shaping them on a bangle mandrels. You can texture the cuffs with hammers, or use decorative punches or stamp a design or name onto it.
Week 5
Disc cutting and Doming - You will be shown how to use a disc cutter, to cut circles. We then move on to the doming block, and how to dome your metal. You can then either dome two identical 1/2 circles to create a bead, or you can create discs in different sizes, and layer them. This can be turned into rings, pendants or earrings.
Week 6
Free session - For our final session, you can practice a technique, you may not have got to grips with, or make something using the techniques you've learned so far, or, if you've not finished a piece, this is the perfect time, to finish, file and polish your pieces.
If you'd like to learn more, then you can continue with our 2nd term, (https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/level-1---term-2-beginners-6-week-course.html)where you will be shown many more exciting techniques, such as - stud earring soldering, hoop earrings, bezel stone setting, chain making, and twisted metal cuffs.
Cutting Metal and Pendant Making. During the first session you will receive an introduction to the workshop, followed by a discussion on health and safety in the workplace.
First up, is the Jeweller's saw. A very important tool for making jewellery. You will mostly use this to cut out (pierce) your metal. After an introduction to it and the saw blades you would use, you will be shown the correct and safe way to pierce out your metal. After practicing, you can then pierce out a small silhouette design of your own choice, which can be used for either a pendant, earrings or charms. You will also be shown how to make jump rings, to allow you to attach it to a chain.
Week 2
Soldering and Stacking rings! You will be shown how to safely operate the two hand torches provided at each student bench. You will learn all about the different types of fluxes, types of solder, and the soldering tools needed - as well as how to clean your metal in a pickle pot.
We then move on to the exciting part - using the torches, to make some stacking rings.
We will begin by using ring sizers and mandrels to size your ring. Using copper, our first project will be to make 3 stacking rings. Once you have completed them, you will be inducted on the hydraulic press - where using some metal dies, you can turn your rings into lovely wavy designs. Or, if you prefer, you can solder on the little accents you pierced out in week 1. You will also be introduced to jewelry files and how to use them to neaten up your work and remove any excess solder.
Week 2
Texturing and Spinner Rings - We will continuing with soldering and ring making, by making a copper spinner ring.
But first, we introduce you to the different hammers and punches we use to texture the metal. You can practice the different hammer strike marks - from dimpled to bark textures, or you can use our decorative punches to create a lovely design or even stamp a name or special word or date onto the metal. Once you have decided what design you'd like to texture your spinner band, you move onto actually texturing, measuring and piercing out your desired size onto your copper ring band. We then solder it, using a slightly different technique to what we did with the stacking rings last week.
Week 3
Polishing and Spinner Ring, continued - This week we will continue with our spinner rings. One the rings have been soldered, you then make the spinners which go around the main band. You can also make the spinners in brass to add an extra pop of colour and interest. As with your stacking rings from the previous week these spinners can either be made wavy or left plain, or you can solder on some accents onto the spinners.
You will then be shown 3 different ways of how to flare the edges of your ring to create your spinner ring.
During this week you will also be introduced to polishing, using the different grades of emery to bring your work up to a high shine.
Week 4
Bangles - Cuff and Bangle - Using copper, you will learn how to measure, form and shape bangles on a bangle mandrel. You then solder it together it together, to form a solid bangle. You can add a dangly charm or bead to the bangle if you like - or you can once again use the hydraulic press and dies, to turn your bangle into a wavy one.
After that you can make a copper cuff bangle. You will be shown how to measure and size before shaping them on a bangle mandrels. You can texture the cuffs with hammers, or use decorative punches or stamp a design or name onto it.
Week 5
Disc cutting and Doming - You will be shown how to use a disc cutter, to cut circles. We then move on to the doming block, and how to dome your metal. You can then either dome two identical 1/2 circles to create a bead, or you can create discs in different sizes, and layer them. This can be turned into rings, pendants or earrings.
Week 6
Free session - For our final session, you can practice a technique, you may not have got to grips with, or make something using the techniques you've learned so far, or, if you've not finished a piece, this is the perfect time, to finish, file and polish your pieces.
If you'd like to learn more, then you can continue with our 2nd term, (https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/level-1---term-2-beginners-6-week-course.html)where you will be shown many more exciting techniques, such as - stud earring soldering, hoop earrings, bezel stone setting, chain making, and twisted metal cuffs.
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Some techniques covered in the course:
Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and biscuits provided. |
Hand Tools used:
Everything that you will need for this course. You are welcome to provide your own silver if you want, or you can purchase from Tracy during the class. A selection of tools, materials and consumables are available to purchase from Tracy. |
What to Bring:
This is a workshop environment, so your well being and safety is important to us. To ensure this is a safe - but fun environment for you to learn in; we ask that you please:
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Our Workshop:
This unisex class which is held in our Liverpool workshop, is a great environment to develop your creativity and do something fun with like-minded people. It also offers the opportunity to make lovely original gifts, or may even be the start of a new career.
Each student bench has its own complete set of hand tools which comprise pliers - including parallel pliers, files - both needle and flat, dividers, a ring clamp, ring mandrel, rawhide hammer and more. Each bench also has its own complete soldering station with soldering turntable, two hand held torches and various tweezers, picks and third hands. They also each have their own quick release Foredom pendant drill and an overhead light with magnifier.
The workshop also has a larger tool section - such as a rolling mill, hydraulic press, pillar drill and bench grinder and polisher. Although each bench has its own soldering station - we also have a large dedicated solder station. This has two large Sievert gas torches, as well as a Smiths Little torch for all our casting workshops or for those large pieces of jewellery which need more heat than a hand held torch can deliver.
We can only accommodate 5 students in our classes; therefore early booking is essential.
For students under 18, you will need a parent's consent to attend these classes.
Any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Tracy at - Email: [email protected] or Phone: 07814 883 443
This unisex class which is held in our Liverpool workshop, is a great environment to develop your creativity and do something fun with like-minded people. It also offers the opportunity to make lovely original gifts, or may even be the start of a new career.
Each student bench has its own complete set of hand tools which comprise pliers - including parallel pliers, files - both needle and flat, dividers, a ring clamp, ring mandrel, rawhide hammer and more. Each bench also has its own complete soldering station with soldering turntable, two hand held torches and various tweezers, picks and third hands. They also each have their own quick release Foredom pendant drill and an overhead light with magnifier.
The workshop also has a larger tool section - such as a rolling mill, hydraulic press, pillar drill and bench grinder and polisher. Although each bench has its own soldering station - we also have a large dedicated solder station. This has two large Sievert gas torches, as well as a Smiths Little torch for all our casting workshops or for those large pieces of jewellery which need more heat than a hand held torch can deliver.
We can only accommodate 5 students in our classes; therefore early booking is essential.
For students under 18, you will need a parent's consent to attend these classes.
Any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Tracy at - Email: [email protected] or Phone: 07814 883 443
More information or queries:
Terms and conditions: https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/tcs.html
Frequently asked questions: www.metalandflame.co.uk/faq.html
Coronavirus Safety Procedures: www.metalandflame.co.uk/coronavirus-rules-and-procedures.html
Contact: https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/contact
Email: [email protected] - Please note, if you email me, please include a phone number, as some of my replies land in your spam folders
Terms and conditions: https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/tcs.html
Frequently asked questions: www.metalandflame.co.uk/faq.html
Coronavirus Safety Procedures: www.metalandflame.co.uk/coronavirus-rules-and-procedures.html
Contact: https://www.metalandflame.co.uk/contact
Email: [email protected] - Please note, if you email me, please include a phone number, as some of my replies land in your spam folders