Part-Time Classes
Part of the University’s commitment to life-long learning, these classes enable you to explore your particular interest and build on existing skills. The focus is on learning through creative practice - for its own sake and without the constraints of studying for an award.
No formal qualifications are required but you should be motivated and demonstrate an interest in the subject you wish to pursue. Whilst largely for adults of all ages with some experience, there are a few opportunities for beginners.
Course Duration: Part-time, various
BIAD Site: Vittoria Street
Application: Direct to School of Jewellery
Please contact our school office for our new schedule of Day & Evening Leisure Classes 2009/10 info@schoolofjewellery.co.uk
Enamelling
This course is ideal if you are interested in vitreous enamel, whether a beginner or at a more advanced level.
Beginners will be introduced to the properties and techniques of enamel through a range of set projects. Knowledge of basic jewellery skills is helpful, but not essential. Initial projects involve working with copper, leading on to work with silver when using particular techniques.
If you have enamelling experience you are encouraged to develop your skills further by producing samples and experimental work as well as completing finished pieces to a professional standard using your own or set projects.
Hand Engraving
This course aims at teaching you the skills of hand engraving currently used in the jewellery and silversmithing industry. This will included lettering, ornamental engraving, heraldry and other aspects of surface decoration.
You will be encouraged to evaluate, through drawing, the aesthetic qualities of your design prior to engraving. You will also be introduced to the tools necessary to commence this course and are expected to purchase them from a recommended list.
Jewellery
The course aims to provide you with specific education through the acquisition of skill, knowledge and understanding if you already work or are aiming to work in the jewellery industry and allied trades.
The aspects of jewellery manufacture covered will include hand and quantity production techniques, the making of pieces of jewellery to your own design, utilising gemstones of your choice and surface treatments such as polishing, reticulation and oxidising.
Silversmithing
The course is ideal if you are interested in metal working, whether a beginner or at a more advanced level.
You will be introduced to hand production techniques such as forming, planishing, filing and soldering. These and other core skills will progressively build your confidence towards the production of simple yet visually attractive pieces of silversmithing such as: vessels, containers, cutlery and items of tableware.
You will be encouraged to aesthetically evaluate your initial design ideas towards a final outcome.
Stone Setting
The classes will teach you stone setting techniques that are currently used in the jewellery industry, such as claw, grain and pave settings, channel, tension and burnished settings. For this purpose cast mounts of rings, pendants etc. and a selection of stones are available at cost price for you.