Hannah made her spoon with the phrase 'Av ya mashed the tea?' hand stamped in the bowl, affectionately recalling a much used phrase she grew up with. Her spoon is now being used daily, and has pride of place next to the kettle, as it is the perfect size for squeezing out teabags.
Charlie made her design based on the oak tree, with an 'acorn' bowl and oak leaf detail on the handle. She personalised hers with her family surname, and also plans to use it regularly with her family.
I was so impressed with their creations, neither of them had ever done any silversmithing before. Hannah said:
'Thank you for such a wonderful day. You have been amazing to show us so much in a day and encourage us all the way. Totally enjoyed it.'
The next silver spoon workshop will be on Friday 7th October 2022.
Charlie filing the edge of the silver acorn style bowl for her spoon
Charlie saw piercing the oak leaf shape from sheet silver
Hannah using the rolling mill to draw out her spoon handle
Soldering the handle to the bowl of the spoon
Hannah and Charlie's finished silver spoons
Hannah & Charlie holding the finished spoons they made during the one day workshop
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]]>As you can see they thoroughly enjoyed working in both silver and copper and created a range of pieces, including silver rings, silver bangles, pendants and earrings. During the day, they learnt how to texture the metal by hammering, and using leaf skeletons through the rolling mill, and how to use number and letter stamps to personalise their pieces, they also learned how to solder and how to finish their pieces by polishing. I find that groups who know each other well really spur each other along in the workshop. It is so satisfying to see them going home with pieces which look fantastic that they will be proud to wear (or give as gifts) knowing they made it entirely themselves.
The wonderful collection of copper and silver pieces they created in just one day!
Group photo of 'The Blingy Birds,' modelling their creations
"An absolutely cracking day! Full of laughter and fun. Thank you so very much! It has more than exceeded our expectations. We will return! Thank you!
Claire, Kelly, Kerry & Bev xxxx (The Blingy Birds)"
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]]>He had a super day in the studio, creating his bespoke kilt pin, with precise measurements and folding involved. We made a copper model first to make sure it would all work out and iron out any issues with the construction.
What Amelia didn’t know at the time, was that whilst she was booking the workshop for Andy to make his kilt pin, Andy was also emailing me, as he wanted to come to the studio to make Amelia an engagement ring so that he could propose! It really made me smile at the time, that they were both planning a such a lovely thing for each other at exactly the same time. Luckily, us jewellers are incredibly good at keeping these lovely secrets!
Andy made Amelia a beautiful engagement ring. At his request, I sourced an unusual rose cut diamond and we set it into 18ct rose gold which has a lovely warmth which complimented the vintage cut of the stone beautifully.
And once they were engaged, they came to the studio together and created their own wedding rings, which they made by melting down some family gold. Such a precious story and memories for them both to treasure via the pieces they made.
Andy annealing some copper for a test piece
The copper test piece for Andy's kilt pin
Planning the final design on paper
Andy creating the fold using a vice and hide mallet
The silver kilt pin coming along nicely
Andy holding the completed kilt pin
The engagement ring Andy made secretly for Amelia
The engagement ring Andy made secretly for Amelia
Andy and Amelia melting gold to create their wedding rings
Amelia preparing to solder Andy's gold wedding ring
Amelia adding hammered texture to Andy's wedding ring
Andy & Amelia's completed gold wedding rings
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]]>We had a great day, planning and making up her design. We made all the links in between the coins by twisting silver wire, and planned out how the coins would lie so that there were a mixture of ‘fronts’ and backs. Drilling the holes in the coins required a good deal of concentration as we wanted them to be nice and accurate. We drilled with a very fine drill first, to get the holes located perfectly, then changed to a slightly larger drill bit. We finished the necklace off with some chain for the back as to make it the perfect length for Sue to wear.
Sue enjoyed her day so much that she came on a second workshop to create a beautiful pendant with a huge personal significance. She chose to incorporate some 9ct yellow gold with the silver in the twisted wire pendant that she made. It was lovely to see how her confidence grew from one workshop day to the next, and she now has two treasured and truly personal necklaces to wear.
Close up of Sue's finished necklace
Sue's completed necklace
Sue's silver and gold pendant she made on her second workshop day with me
"A fantastic day with a really beautiful and very special piece of jewellery to enjoy. Thank you so much, Sue."
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