Sterling silver ring making workshop

Description

You’ll end up making an amazing Sterling Silver ring to fit whichever finger you wish. Or, if you prefer bring the size of a finger of a loved one and you can make a ring to that size. You can work the size out by bringing a ring they wear or just a piece of thin card that you’ve wrapped around the largest knuckle of the finger you wish to make the ring for. During your time in the studio you'll have a chance to try different styles, from plain bands to wrapped plaited wire or layered silver sheet. You might like to try texturing the silver using a variety of hammers etc. Once its made you can then give it a really good polish to make it shine or finish it with a patina as shown in the photo. Whatever you end up making it'll be totally unique and glorious.

What's included in the price?

The workshops starts at 10.00am (usually weekends) or 2pm (usually weekdays) with tea or coffee and goodies and a brief chat and look through some design ideas. This is followed by a demonstration of how to manipulate and texture sterling silver and do some texturing with hammers and a rolling mill. You are then shown how to use various tools and finally solder your ring together and finish it in a variety of ways. Students are then given a range of tools, and a piece of sterling silver to work with. The methods of working the silver includes forging using hammers and other tools and possibly manipulating the silver with your hands. You’ll be heating the metal with a blow-torch between the cold-working. The hot metal is quenched in Pickle (a diluted sulphuric acid) and then water after each heating and then manipulated further towards the desired shape. Students are encouraged to begin by designing their ring before starting to work on their piece of silver, so bring a sketch book with you. The morning workshops concludes at 1.30pm and the afternoon ones at 5.30pm, but both extends through to when each student finishes their project – and they get to go home wearing their ring!

Cancellation policy

Non-refundable - Refunds are not available

Maker

David J Lilly

with Craft Courses since 2017

Message the tutor

Over the years I’ve turned my hand to wood, card, plastic and eventually spent 12 years as stained glass arrtist. In about 2005 when my eye turned to the style of my childhood, mid-century modern, those big concrete and glass forms that so many people love to hate but I have become intruiged by and in love with. My jewellery making began with me playing around with fold-forming copper, then somewhere along Brutalism raised its head and I found my muse.