Our Story
Metal and Flame was launched In Litherland, Liverpool by Tracy Hills in 2019.
Tracy is passionate about jewellery making and enjoy
No experience necessary for our beginners 6 week jewellery courses or our one day workshops - unless otherwise stated.
Each student attending our jewellery classes will have their own workbench fitted with a bench peg. Each bench also has the necessary hand tools – plier set, needle files, jewellers saw and blades, plus more. You will also have access to the wide range of bench machinery - pendant motors, grinders, polishers etc.
Our soldering station has enough room for two students to solder at the same time. There are two propane tanks, various burners, turntables, tripods and various soldering tweezers and picks on hand,
Our class sizes are small to allow you plenty of dedicated time with your tutor and also access to the bench tools without having to wait to long for access.
For more information on dates and times, please contact us.
Workshop 925 launched in January 2019 and is based at The Mayford Centre which is nestled between Guildford and Woking in Surrey.
The workshop was launched by Kirsten Hendrich after several years teaching within adult education facilities, alongside running her own jewellery brand Kirsten Hendrich Jewellery.
Kirsten often felt frustrated at large class sizes, the lack of specialist equipment and solid workbenches to allow students to really blossom. So, she began her vision which was to create the perfect learning environment for jewellers of all levels to come and learn new skills using professional equipment, providing the best chance possible for students to learn the technical and business skills of the trade within small class sizes enabling plenty of one to one tutor support to aid effective learning.
Workshop 925 is also home to an amazing team of tutors who share Kirsten’s passion for jewellery making, craft and all things handmade. Together they bring you their knowledge, tips and enthusiasm for the industry in the classes they teach and in the workshop environment.
Hi, I am Tracy Hills - proprietor and jewellery tutor at Metal and Flame Jewellery School.
I am a professional jewellery designer and maker and sell my designs under the Tracy Hills Jewellery banner. But my story doesn't begin here.
I am originally from South Africa and have been creative ever since I was a little girl. From my humble childhood jewellery beginnings of stringing gumball charms onto string - to sewing and making leather clothing for stage wear, to designing and making hats and fascinators.
I have also always loved jewellery, and spent many hours dressing up in my mothers clothing and accessories. It was the swinging 60's and the fabulous hippy era and I especially remember her large vibrant Perspex rings and long strands of beads. My mum taught me to sew and I guess it is fairly telling that with my first pay cheque, I bought myself a ring and a sewing box! Over forty years later, I still have both the ring and sewing box.
My musician husband taught me to play bass guitar. We played in a rock and roll band and then formed a duo. For over twenty years we travelled the world playing music - both on land and at sea on various cruise ships. We had the misfortune of sinking twice, but that is another story....
Naturally, I made my own stage clothing and Jewellery.
In 2000, we settled in the U.K and I hung up my guitar. I progressed from making jewellery for myself to making for others. In turn, this led me to creating my own small business, making costume jewellery and millinery - which I sold from my website (Midnight Rose Creations) and from various e-commerce sites such as Etsy and Ebay. My costume jewellery designs have appeared in British jewellery magazines, such as 'Bead' and 'Beads and Beyond'
Wanting to further my jewellery making skills, I enrolled at Farnham University for the Creative Arts in Surrey and graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in metalwork and jewellery. I then started my silver jewellery business.
Two of my my metal jewellery designs (Lace Cuff and 'Foxwood') were shortlisted for the prestigious Pewter Live 2012 Competition. I won 2nd prize for my interactive pendant 'Foxwood.
Most of my designs tend to lean towards, dark, edgy, rock and roll pieces. With a love of all things dark, weird and wonderful, my inspirations are varied; fairy tales, fantasy and Gothic.
Nature is also extremely prominent in my work - often featuring the dark side of it, like casting and immortalising bird skulls and claws; however, I also love and create the lighter aspects of nature, by capturing the perfect swirl on a sea shell or the texture on an acorn pod.
My designs can be found at Tracy Hills Jewellery
https://www.tracyhills.co.uk
I enjoy teaching and have taught Beginners and Intermediate Silver Jewellery Courses for Clare Styles in Farnham, Surrey.
I have recently moved to Liverpool, where I have now opened my own jewellery school in Litherland, Merseyside.
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Exhibitions:
Magazines: Beads and Beyond Bead Magazine |
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