Foundations of Jewellery Making (4 Week Course)

Foundations of Jewellery Making is a 4 week course, run over a consecutive Sundays.

It is a very small group (limited to 4 participants) and suitable for beginners, with no prior experience required.

DAY 1: Sunday 5 July, 9:30am - 1:30pm

DAY 2: Sunday 12 July, 9:30am - 1:30pm

DAY 3: Sunday 19 July, 9:30am - 1:30pm

Day 4: Sunday 26 July, 9:30am - 1:30pm

This multi workshop program will introduce you to the five main skills sets that form the foundation of metalsmithing.

​During this program you will learn and practice:

Sawing

Cutting metal with a jewellers saw – putting the saw together, understanding which blade to use, practicing sawing metal shapes.

Filing

Using files to shape your metal – understanding which file to use for the job at hand, practicing your filing technique to smooth and shape edges.

Metalworking

Learning how to shape and texture metal; annealing the metal to make it malleable; adding texture with stamps, hammers, dapping the metal to form domed shapes.

Soldering

Working with a butane torch to learn how to heat your metal to solder or join metal into your desired shapes. You will learn about using flux to prevent oxidation of metal and using different grades of solder to join the metal and removing oxidation with a pickle solution.

Finishing

Once you have fabricated your piece of jewellery there are a range of finishing techniques to choose to complete your piece. Learn to add that special finish with texturing, burnishing, buffing, polishing and patinating.

What you will make:

• During the course you will practice on base metals (copper or aluminium).  

• In addition to the pieces you make from base metals, you will make 3 sterling silver stacker rings as part of your soldering practice.

• In the last session you will design and make up to 2 pieces of jewellery from sterling silver – earrings, rings, small pendants or bangles.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

All materials and tools are provided in the workshop fee.

About Jo Rutherford

​

Jo is a Brisbane based artist working across several disciplines.

Her primary focus is designing and creating unique, handmade, wearable art and jewellery. Metals, primarily silver, are shaped, textured and embossed and combined with semi-precious stones, pearls, textiles and other materials.

Her jewellery practice centres around utilising recycled silver and other metals, and experimenting with texturing and shaping techniques to create unique pieces.

Jo has been a jewellery designer and printmaker for over 20 years developing her skills through formal courses and workshops. In a former life she managed the training and development program for over 200 staff members in an educational organisation, designing and delivering workshops in person and online.

Notes for Workshop Participants

• Please arrive 15 minutes before the workshop start time to get settled in our Workshop Area

• Workshops are held in the Mezzanine, located upstairs within The Churn Room

• Street parking is available on Williams Street

• Workshop participants must wear closed in shoes and have long hair tied back.

• We suggest wearing comfortable, breathable clothes suitable for warm weather conditions - we have fans, but our building is not air-conditioned

• Access to the Mezzanine may be difficult for persons with significant mobility issues. It is not wheelchair accessible. Please consider this prior to booking.

Workshop Terms & Conditions