I’d been looking into a jewellery making experience for a while, but never found a course that quite matched what I was looking for.
Many workshops were too far away, or over the course of multiple days, or, to be honest, a bit out of my price bracket.
So it was fantastic when a session cropped up fairly near to me. I booked myself on to give it a go as one of my 52 new things.
Rural Arts
Rural Arts is a registered charity that delivers inspiring and inclusive creative opportunities that enrich lives and connect communities.
Their website has a fantastic range of different crafty workshops which they organise throughout the year across North Yorkshire, including my jewellery making experience which took place at The Courthouse.
Just a 17 minute train journey from my home city of York, it’s a wonderful venue in Thirsk. Inside the old stone building there’s a small shop selling locally hand crafted gifts, a cafe (where I indulged in a gorgeous warm cheese scone), and a fabulous craft studio where a whole host of creative activities take place.
Learning The Basics
Our instructor was Genevieve and we knew we were in good hands as she has over 20 years of experience.
Over the course of 3 hours, she aimed to teach us how to use basic jewellery making tools and apply a range of techniques. This was a hands on session introducing us to the craft to make and take home our very own piece of jewellery.
A Creative Afternoon - Jewellery Making Experience
Eight of us eagerly took our places, ready to do something different on an autumnal afternoon.
Each place at the table was laden with a variety of tools, which, if you didn’t know what the course was, could look as though some sort of torture was about to occur.
In actual fact, we were going to be learning how to work with copper and silver to make pendants. The materials included the chain for the necklace, but the finished pieces could always be worked into earrings or keyrings quite easily later.
Demonstration
To begin with we worked with a piece of copper. This was intended for practicing, but, could also be used in our final pieces.
Gathering around the front table, Genevive demonstrated the processes for us. Starting by creating the design, moving on to using the tools for free-hand cutting and showing us how to use the pre-made cutters too.
Next, she added some texture and embellishments with the hammer and stamps. Lastly, she finished off with some sanding and polishing, before adding the ring for it to attach it to the chain. She made it look so easy!
Getting Started
Back at our seats, the first thing to do was create a design. I hadn’t come prepared with anything in mind, so took inspiration from some of Genevieve’s samples. I liked the look of a diamond shaped piece so decided to give it a go.
Using a stencil, I drew the outline close to the edge of my small piece of copper in an attempt not to waste any of the material and potentially salvage some of it for additional decoration.
Cutting The Copper - Jewellery Making Experience
Using the freehand cutters, I snipped through the metal. It needed more force than I’d anticipated, and was a bit tricky getting around the corners. It wasn’t the neatest diamond shape, and needed quite a bit of sanding to tidy up the edges.
I used one of the cutters to get a feel for how they worked, and to make a circle. With patience and precision, I positioned my small piece of copper into the cutter and clamped it down. A couple of hefty whacks of the hammer, and my perfectly formed circle was cut. This was much easier, and made a far neater shape than I could ever do by hand.
Cutting Holes
Adding a hole to our cut pieces of metal was essential to be able to add the small ring to then attach it to the necklace chain.
The hole needed to be roughly 2mm from the edge. 2mm! It was very fiddly! My pieces of copper were already quite small, and this needed a lot of concentration as I worked with the tiny shapes.
I made the hole using a tool that looked like a cross between pliers and a hole punch, and needed a fair bit of force to cut through the metal.
Creating Texture
I liked the uneven patterned texture on Genevieve’s samples, and decided to use this on my diamond piece.
It was an especially satisfying technique of simply placing the copper onto the special surface, and hammering all over it.
Placing a small stamp where I thought was the middle of my tiny copper circle, I bashed the hammer onto it so that it would emboss the letter ‘I’ (my Mum’s initial).
Working With Silver - Jewellery Making Experience
Having made my copper diamond and two small copper circles, I decided I was going to make a pendant of alternating silver and copper shapes, with a small circle attachment.
After my slightly haphazard cutting using the freehand tools, I opted to use the stamps to make silver square shapes which would ensure they would be neat.
Once cut, I laid my shapes in the position I wanted them to hang. The silver looked a bit too shiny in its neat form, so I added the same texture effect that I’d used on the copper, whilst keeping the small circles smooth.
I used a stamp on my circles to give them some interest similar to the ‘I’ initial. To help the pattern show up a bit more, Genevieve recommended using a black sharpie to add emphaises, and polishing off any excess ink. I gave it a go and I really like the finished effect.
Finishing Touches
Finally, having worked all of the pieces as I wanted to, and making sure I had enough holes to join them together using the rings as I wanted, I assembled my pendant. It was very fiddly, but once the shapes were all hanging as I’d hoped, I threaded them onto the chain.
Other participants had made some lovely pieces too, and it was wonderful to see their finished items and creativity.
Trickier Than It Looks
I hadn’t anticipated just how small the pieces would be, and how intricate they were to work with. My fingers and thumbs seemed to get in the way at times!
With many tongue out moments, it took a lot of concentration, patience, focus, and occasionally I noticed I was holding my breath, but it was well worth it and thoroughly enjoyable.
Perfectly Imperfect Pendant - Jewellery Making Experience
I was pleased with my finished pendant. I made it with the intention of giving it to my Mum as a Christmas gift, (shhh, don’t tell her!). Whilst it doesn’t have the neater and well-finished appearance as some jewellery, I think it has a certain homemade charm to it. At least I’m hoping that’s what she thinks! It’s certainly unique!
It had been such a wonderful afternoon; a very mindful activity with a fabulous teacher in a relaxed and spacious workshop.
Why You Should Give It A Go
You can get creative – there are so many ways you can work with the copper and silver, the designs are limitless!
It’s a wonderful mindful activity – you’ll be so in the zone whilst you’re concentrating on creating your piece, you won’t have time to think about the to-do lists.
You can make something personal – whether you keep it for yourself, or make something as a gift, you can personalise your creation
It’s a unique piece – there won’t be another one quite like it anywhere!
Want To Try It Yourself?
- If you’re in Yorkshire, take a look at Genevieve’s website for any upcoming workshops. She’s a brilliant teacher! You can also find her on Instagram, and Facebook.
- It’s also worth keeping an eye on the Rural Arts website to see when jewellery making is available, and to take a look at the whole host of other craft workshops they offer. You can also find them on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest,
- Many experience websites offer jewellery making activities, take a look at;
- Uniquely local – for jewellery making experiences across Yorkshire
- Craft Courses – offer a wide range of jewellery making experience all across the UK.
- Not on the high street – for jewellery making experiences across the UK
- eventbrite – for any workshops that might be happening near you
Cost Of Experience
- Our 3 hour session cost £50 per person. This included all of the materials.
- Depending on the course and the provider, prices will vary and can be around £100.
Recommendations
- Be patient – it can be fiddly so take your time with your creation.
- Ask for help – our tutor was on hand for any questions and advice and helped us all to create the pieces we wanted to.
- Take pictures of your creations – especially if you’re going to give them as a gift, then you’ve got something to remember.
- Let me know how you get on – if you give it a go I’d love to know how it was for you.
Your piece is so beautiful! I’m certain your mum will love it. Thank you for sharing your experience. I’d love to try this one day!
Ahhh, thank you so much! I really hope she does. I hope you get to give it a go, it’s a really lovely craft to try.
Thanks as always for reading and commenting. :o)
My partner loves to make jewellery, although it’s been a long time since they had the time to do so. I’ve also wanted to learn how to make jewellery as well, especially as I’m allergic to nickel, so I could make something to my taste that shouldn’t cause a reaction, as it can be difficult to find products that are nickel free. It’s in so many things
Gosh, I didn’t realise nickel was in so much. That’s lovely that your partner makes jewellery, I hope they may be able to find time to dabble again, perhaps you could try it with them? I hope you do get to give it a go and make something bespoke and non-reacting.