West Dean College

Short Courses in Jewellery and Enamelling

01Jan2023 - 31Dec2023
Application
Tags:  Technics ,  Making ,  ShortCourses ,  OpenAllYearCourse
Management person:  Lizzie Neville , Tim Bolton

Dates: The courses have open dates throughout the year and have a duration from 1-5 days. Please ask for availability. ​

Learn new skills or develop your existing talents, with the guidance of expert tutors in fully equipped workshops and studios. Join the West Dean community of artists, makers and conservators and be inspired by the creative atmosphere of the historic house, the rural setting and stunning gardens.

If you are interested in any of our Short Courses and wish to develop your skills, but are unable to afford to study here, you may be eligible for a bursary. Visit our website for more information.

Examples of courses include:

• One day jewellery workshop
• Making jewellery using mixed metals and stones
• Enamel silver earrings
• Jewellery in wood with silver and pearl inlay

Please visit our website for the latest courses.
 

Short Courses in Metalworking

01Jan2023 - 31Dec2023
Application
Tags:  Technics ,  Making ,  ShortCourses ,  OpenAllYearCourse
Management person:  Lizzie Neville , Tim Bolton

Dates: The courses have open dates throughout the year and have a duration from 1-5 days. Please ask for availability. 

Learn new skills or develop your existing talents, with the guidance of expert tutors in fully equipped workshops and studios. Join the West Dean community of artists, makers and conservators and be inspired by the creative atmosphere of the historic house, the rural setting and stunning gardens.

If you are interested in any of our Short Courses and wish to develop your skills, but are unable to afford to study here, you may be eligible for a bursary. Visit our website for more information.

Examples of courses include:

• Blacksmithing
• One day silversmithing workshop
• Botanical metalwork sculpture

Please visit our website for the latest courses.
 

Silver jewellery, stacking rings

05Jan2024 - 07Jan2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Create a beautiful stacking silver ring set. Techniques covered include designing, sizing, forming, piercing, texturing and soldering.
 
The course aim is to consider how a stack of rings will work together before making your ring set, looking at the design problems and solutions that come with making a set of rings to be worn together.
 
You will be exploring textures, surfaces and/or repeated motifs to inform your finished set of rings.
 
Your sampled textures and/or repeated shapes will be undertaken in copper before working on the finished silver ring set.
 
Following a demonstration, you will explore surfaces and textures. You will then be encouraged to explore your ideas with the tutor by reflecting on these samples and your design ideas. You will make the shank (bands) of your rings following a full demonstration of sizing rings and measuring. You will learn how to make a ring step-by-step with demonstrations and notes.
 
The principal material used on this course is silver, but you may incorporate materials such as copper and brass into your design. You can also bring broken or unloved pieces of gold jewellery from home to incorporate into the rings using granulation.
 
You will be encouraged to create a number of samples during the course showing textures and shapes. As well as your finished rings, you will have a selection of ideas to incorporate into future projects, should you wish. You should produce a beautiful set of two or three silver stacking rings.
 
At the end of the course, there will be a short review of the work everyone has made.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £315
 

Silver jewellery, statement earrings

05Jan2024 - 05Jan2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Spend a day making a pair of earrings that incorporate movement through articulation. Working in silver, you will leave with a beautiful, unique piece of jewellery.
 
After an introductory talk and display of a number of examples, you will explore and create textures in copper. Discussion will then take place regarding the various ways movement can be achieved in earrings. After sampling the way movement can be achieved in brass and copper, you will move on to working in silver. For those with some previous experience, you will be given the additional option of creating earrings with interchangeable components.
 
Stone setting will not be covered within this one-day class – please sign up to a specific stone setting course if you would like to work with gems.


Hours.
Timetable for one-day courses.
Students should arrive by 9 am for registration.
Classes are from 9.15 - 5 pm.

Cost: £175
 

Filigree jewellery

12Jan2024 - 14Jan2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Filigree is a 5,000-year-old jewellery technique, which uses fine twisted threads of silver or gold to create the most varied designs. You will learn the skills of this ancient jewellery technique through practical demonstrations, handouts and individual practice.
 
You will learn how to make your own filigree tools and take these home with you. You will be taught how to make the special filigree wire, three different filigree designs and how to solder and finish these. The tutor will work with you as a group and individually and will support and guide you through your learning.
 
By the end of the course, you will have created one piece that you can take home and enjoy.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £318
 

Enamelling for beginners

19Jan2024 - 21Jan2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Learn how to translate colour and texture ideas, and the techniques of using fine wires and metal leaf. This course aims to introduce enamelling skills to beginners and to show how colour, texture and coloured ideas can be translated into enamels.

Starting with a series of basic test pieces on copper, simple techniques are covered. You should then progress to working on small silver or copper items, and, by the end of the course, you will have produced a small simple item of jewellery.

This is a fine enamelling course and you will cover the washing and grinding of enamels in preparation for wet packing. This allows much more scope for controlled and detailed work. You will also work with fine wires, and gold and silver leaf. The tutor will provide a variety of enamel samples, which should encourage you to experiment.

If you have no experience of enamelling you will follow small steps with copper samples. If you have had some experience, then you will be encouraged to incorporate other techniques into your samples. You are encouraged to bring examples of your work as a starting point to discuss ideas.


Hours:
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 p.m., but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £316
 

Enamel Silver Earrings or Pendant

19Jan2024 - 19Jan2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Following a short demonstration of basic enamelling techniques, you will experiment with colours and designs to gain confidence with the technique. Then you will decide on your own design to create either earrings or a pendant. You will be provided with a small disc of silver (approximately 12mm), which can then be made into a pair of earrings or a drop pendant that can be attached to a chain. You will make and enamel the jewellery.
 
Your tutor will solder the earposts or attach jump rings to complete your enamelled piece/s of jewellery.
 
At the end of the course, you will go home with a finished item of silver enamelled jewellery to wear.

Hours:
Timetable for one-day courses
Students should arrive by 9 a.m. for registration.
Classes are from 9.15 - 5 pm
Lunch is included.

Cost: £160
 

White and black enamelling. An in-depth exploration

08Feb2024 - 11Feb2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

This course will give you the chance to explore a number of experimental enamelling techniques using a variety of white and black enamels. White enamel has an amazing capacity to change; the heat of the kiln and the interaction with the underlying metal can produce an array of beautiful colours. Black enamel will act as a contrast. Working with this simple palette will enable you to really understand how to control the sifting and the firing, allowing you to achieve a more refined and interesting surface.
 
Working on copper sheet and mesh, you will explore a variety of techniques, suitable for both jewellery and small scale three-dimensional work, and for wall based artwork. These will include: sifting, stencilling, sgraffito, under and over firing, surface finishes, working over an altered metal surface and adhesive mark-making.
 
You will be taught through a series of demonstrations and one-to-one instruction. You will be encouraged to experiment and to develop your skills through the production of a series of samples that relate to your personal aesthetic. Construction and mounting techniques will be discussed and you will also have the chance to make samples for a simple finished piece.
 
The tutor will bring a selection of samples, which will help you to appreciate what is possible with the techniques covered on the course.

Hours:
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations).

Cost: £457
 

Enamel. A multi-coloured voyage of discovery

15Feb2024 - 18Feb2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

On this course, you will work with vitreous enamel, transparent and opaque, on copper, copper mesh and silver, and you will focus on colour combination and interaction, surface and texture. Come ready to have an experimental introduction to enamel, to learn the technical basics, to develop an individual vocabulary and become acquainted with its applications.
 
As the emphasis is on experimentation, you may end up with lots of test pieces, rather than a finished item.

Hours:
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £507
 

Enamelled copper beads, torch fired

18Feb2024 - 23Feb2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

You will learn how to make torch-fired beads using vitreous enamel in a variety of different shapes and colours, which will lead to the design and making of wearable jewellery.
 
Colour coordination and assembly of beads made are facilitated by a large selection of findings and natural mineral or freshwater pearls to make personal creations. You will learn how to measure, judge colour balance and make a good quality product that is practical and functional as well as beautiful.
 
During the length of the course, you will also learn the skills of correcting beads and reshaping the metal for repair processes, if necessary, and you will gain an understanding of enamel in a number of different forms. This will include decorating the beads.
 
By the end of the course, you will have fired a variety of beads to your choice of size and colour and strung the beads together to make a piece of jewellery of your own design.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £175
 

Jewellery, three silver bangles

28Feb2024 - 28Feb2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Have you ever thought that you would love to learn how to make jewellery but are not sure what is involved, and whether you would enjoy and have an aptitude for working in silver? Before you sign up to a longer course, come and try making a simple collection of three bangles and see how you feel.
 
This one-day course will introduce you to the basic tools and processes, and teach you how to make three bangles, one round section, one half round and one square section, and with the option to twist if you choose. The day will take you through the basic skills of sawing, filing, annealing, soldering and polishing.
 
Hopefully, this will inspire you to learn more and develop your skills in this fascinating discipline. You will have made three bangles by the end of the day.


Hours.
Timetable for one-day courses.
Students should arrive by 9 am for registration.
Classes are from 9.15 - 5 pm.

Cost: £192
 

Enamelling revisited

29Feb2024 - 03Mar2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

This course will offer those who have already started enamelling the chance to gain further knowledge of the materials and possibilities of incorporating enamel as a decorative feature in their work. This will be a small-scale workshop (i.e. we will not be working on bowls or large panels). The aim is to give you individual guidance to develop your own ideas and to offer specific advice to anyone wishing to start enamelling on their own.

When working on test pieces, various techniques will be covered. You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and you can either work on existing pieces or consider a brooch as the main focus of the course.

You should find this course helpful in giving you greater confidence to use colour in your work and to gain much practical advice in areas such as equipment to buy, preparation of work prior to enamelling and many other particular enamel queries.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £463
 

Fastenings and findings for jewellery

04Mar2024 - 07Mar2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

From simple earring hooks to complex hidden necklace fastenings, the way a finding fits with the piece is important to the quality of the finished article. For example, a beautiful necklace can be enhanced by a well-thought-out, specially-designed catch, or devalued by using a bought finding.
 
Investigate fastenings and findings, looking at ways to integrate them with your design style. You will discover a range of different mechanisms from traditional box catches, and how to vary their shape, to ways of incorporating magnets. You will also look at simple safety eights to other ancient mechanisms, such as the penannular and circle brooch mechanisms, hinge and screw fittings and interlocking fastenings.
 
The tutor will show slides of examples and bring samples to look at and handle. The tutor will explain how to use fastenings and findings so they become part of your piece, rather than a functional afterthought.
 
As well as demonstrations to the whole group, you will have the opportunity to discuss your individual needs throughout the course. You are encouraged to bring a piece you are in the middle of making, if appropriate, to make a catch for, but this is not essential. The tutor aims to support and facilitate whatever you wish to achieve.
 
You will be generally expected to work in silver, but you can use other metals or materials if appropriate. You should achieve a greater understanding of a range of catches and findings, and make at least two. Please note: you must be able to solder before attending this course.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £421
 

Forging iron jewellery

07Mar2024 - 10Mar2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Iron is an uncommon material for jewellery, though it is more than suitable due to its beauty and wearability. You will be introduced to the main principles of iron jewellery design, including how to highlight the material's unique geometry and topology in your work.
 
You will learn some of the most important techniques to realise your ideas, including hot and cold forging and hot-forming.
 
During the course, your tutor will deliver a talk about the story of iron from the very beginning until the present day. Your tutor will discuss iron’s nature, character and importance in our life and explain why he refers to this cheap, common metal as "precious". He will also present an overview of historic, traditional and contemporary, ferrous jewellery.
 
After the course, you will have the skillls to carry on at home where the equipment needed is mainly a basic jeweller’s bench tool set, where some pieces could be made easily at home in a shed. The knowledge from this course will fertilise your way of thinking about more common jewellery metals, such as gold or silver.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £438
 

Mixing metals - for jewellers and silversmiths

08Mar2024 - 12Mar2024
Application
Tags:  ShortCourses ,  Technics
Management person:  Tim Bolton

Experiment with mixed metal techniques and processes using wire, sheet or tube as starting points. Explore how the materials lend themselves to different designs with the option of making a piece of jewellery.

This course aims to introduce you to a wide range of mixed metal techniques and processes as well as the use and application of the resulting materials. Focusing on techniques that use wire, sheet or tube as starting points, you will be able to combine metals in different ways, achieving a wide range of different results.
You will learn how to produce the silver solders, needed for a variety of different solder applications, as well as the production of a range of alloys to introduce into your work. There will be an opportunity to experiment with the taught techniques in order to engage with the process in a rich and personal way. You can explore the design process, seeing how the materials you work with lend themselves to different designs, with the option of making a piece of jewellery by the end of the course.


Hours.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above.
Courses start early evening. Residential students are to arrive from 4 pm, and non-residential students are to arrive by 6.45 pm.
6.45 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9 pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
 
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5 pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30 pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9 pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
 
Last day
Classes 9.15 am - 3 pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10 am, please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Cost: £619