£125 per person, two places available.
Spend a day in the studio creating wonderful organic forms from flat sheet metal using hammers.
On this one day course you will receive step-by-step tuition in classes of no more than 2 people in a friendly, relaxed environment. I will introduce to you this creative technique, which is a personal favourite of mine, which you can then incorporate into your own jewellery designs. Fold forming describes the process of folding sheet metal then somehow compressing the fold, usually with a hammer, this folded piece is then sometimes a further worked into by forging, before opening out to reveal the created form. This technique has applications both for jewellery and metalsmithing, including creating silverware or metal sculptures.
I will teach you a range of folds:
- Basic flat line fold
- Partial line fold
- Rolled over line fold
- Forged folds
- Ruffled leaves
This course is focused on learning fold forming techniques and practicing these by making copper samples, but you can also create a finished piece of silver jewellery as part of the course.
I have written a book all about creative fold forming which you can purchase ahead of the course or on the day if you wish.
What is included:
The workshop price includes copper sheet for experimenting, and up to 10g of silver to use to make your jewellery. Additional silver, if you require it, is available to purchase on the day at £1.50 per gram.
Tea and coffee provided. We will take a break halfway through the day for lunch, which is not included. There is the onsite museum café, the local high street has cafés and bakeries, or you can bring a packed lunch if you prefer.
Workshop time:
10am - 4pm
Location:
This metalsmithing workshop is held in my cosy studio within the historic Sharpe's Pottery Museum in Swadlincote in South Derbyshire. (The postcode is DE11 9DG). There is limited free parking at the museum and free all day parking in the local town centre car parks. Alexandra Road car park is a two minute walk from the studio (the postcode is DE11 8JL).
Your tutor:
I have been working as a jeweller and silversmith since I graduated from my degree in 2005, and began teaching early on as a means to support my practice, initially teaching an evening class at Hereford College of Art. I found that I love sharing my skills with people, so I wrote two books ('Making Silver Jewellery' and 'Fold Forming for Jewellers and Metalsmiths’) and created my own range of jewellery making courses. I hope that if you join me here in the studio you will fall in love with this special craft just as I did when I first started making jewellery!
Class size:
Due to the small size of the studio, classes are for either one or two people. This means you will have plenty of specialist tuition from me.
Who can attend:
I welcome all levels of ability including complete beginners. However, you will get the most out of this particular course if you have attended one of my other courses or have some prior metalsmithing experience. Ideally you would have a bit of experience of how to cut, file, form, solder and polish. Anyone is welcome to take part so long as they are aged over 18 (or over 14 if accompanied by an adult).
Health & safety tips:
Please tie long hair back and do not wear open toed shoes or high heels. If you struggle with close vision, please remember to bring your glasses with you, I have found this is easily forgotten. Please be advised, that due to the hammering we will be doing, this can be quite a noisy workshop, ear plugs will be available if you need them. If you do have any concerns which might affect you during the workshop, please do get in touch.
