In-person course
 in Sheffield Maker & location details
(13)

Raise your own copper bowl, two day course

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Description

Learn the specialist silversmithing technique of hand raising, with contemporary silversmith Charlotte Tollyfield, and create a beautiful copper bowl using traditional hammer techniques. A great introduction for beginners and perfect practice for those wanting to increase their skill. In a maximum class size of four, you will spend two days with Charlotte in her workshop in the heart of Sheffield, where you will learn the techniques of annealing, blocking, raising and planishing whilst creating your own bowl to take home. Charlotte will greet you at the entrance to the Persistence Works studio building and accompany you to her studio where you will start the first day with an introduction to the workshop and all health and safety procedures before being introduced to the project and given a brief outline of what you can hope to achieve. You will then be taken through a practical demonstration of annealing – the process of heating the metal to soften it, ready for working – and the blocking process – a hammer technique used to begin shaping the bowl. You will then get the chance to begin your own bowl, repeating the annealing and blocking processes. Charlotte will then give a practical demonstration of the raising technique, before helping you get comfortable and begin raising your own bowl. Raising is a very repetitive process that requires you to complete a number of rounds or “courses” of the same hammer technique to achieve the desired shape. Charlotte will be encouraging you to have completed the raising process and to have your bowl in roughly its final shape by the end of the first day. The second day will start with a short assessment on how you feel your bowl is shaping up and what you envisage for the final piece before Charlotte demonstrates the planishing hammer technique. This is the process by which you achieve a smooth finish to the surface of the metal and even out the final shape. As with the previous day, after giving the demonstration Charlotte will help you get started planishing your own bowl. Again, this is another repetitive – though more gentle, and quite satisfying – hammering process, where you will produce a beautifully rippling, hammered texture. The day will finish with a final clean up and time to admire your handiwork and rest achy limbs with a well-earned brew. Each day will be broken up with a morning and afternoon tea break (if desired) and a 30-40 minute lunch break.

What's included in the price?

All materials are included in the course price and all tools will be provided by Charlotte at her workshop. Tea and coffee with fruit and biscuits will be freely available, but participants must provide their own packed lunch. There are sandwich shops, cafés and supermarkets located at Sheffield Station and Town Centre, both approximately a 10-15 minute walk away if preferred. Charlotte is able to provide aprons and ear protection, but if you have your own that you feel more comfortable wearing you can bring it with you. You may also wish to bring any wrist or elbow support if you feel you may need it. Flat shoes with a covered toe are essential as is comfortable clothing. The Persistence Works building, where Charlotte is based, is a 10-15 minute walk from both the Sheffield central Train Station and Bus Station, and a 15-20 minute walk from the Supertram stops at Sheffield Station or Fitzalan Square. Whilst Persistence Works does not have its own parking facilities, there is some street parking directly outside and on nearby roads, as well as several carparks within 3-15 minutes walk. Charlotte can provide full details at time of booking.

Duration

2 days

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

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I am a Sheffield based silversmith, designing and making my own contemporary silverware and copper pieces that I exhibit throughout the UK. I also take on both private and corporate commission work. For over eight years I have offered copper and silversmithing courses from my workshop in the heart of Sheffield's cultural quarter, focusing on the key skills of this ancient and noble trade.

Suitable for

  • Adults
  • Public transport
  • Suitable for beginners
  • Weekends
  • Intermediate level
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FAQs

Unfortunately, due to the set-up of the studio and the equipment, the course is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The closest car park is Sydney Street NCP. There are other NCP car parks nearby on Eyre Street and Furnival Gate, as well as large APCOA and Q-Park multi-storeys on Eyre Street and Charles Street respectively. There is some on-street parking directly outside Persistence Works on Brown Street.

Yes. Persistence Works is within 10 minutes' walk of Sheffield's central train and bus stations. It is also within 15 minutes' walk of any of the city centre tram stops at City Hall, Cathedral, Castle Square, Fitzalan Square and Sheffield Train Station.

Venue

Persistence Works, 21 Brown Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2BS