GOLD JEWELLERY TECHNIQUES
Making with Confidence
Whether you are in the process of growing your own brand, taking on commissions or you just want to make something lovely for yourself, this course will delve into the metallurgical world of the noble metal Gold, and attempt to demystify this precious metal by enabling you to feel confident when choosing to work with it in your designs.
Working within a modern, industry standard workshop, our jewellery teachers have advanced knowledge in both traditional and contemporary design techniques. Having spent more than a decade working with all golds, your tutor for this class is the very best person to have at your side when first working with gold. These are some of the techniques that you will be guided through:
Metallurgy
Complex solder joins (for both fine jewellery and standard jewellery connections)
Industry standard finishing/polishing
New materials knowledge and understanding through application
Temperature control
Chemicals and their uses
Design planning
When: Weekends 10:00am – 4:30pm (Dates to be announced as COVID-19 restrictions are further relaxed)
Duration: 13 hours (30 minute lunch break)
Class size: Maximum 7 people
Cost: $480 (cost of material not included - Please read below)
As part of Joynton & 107 Projects, The Bench will provide subsidised courses to residents in the Zetland, Sydney area. For further information please email us at jewellery@thebench.sydney
ABOUT THE COURSE
Prerequisite
You must be a competent jewellery maker with a good level of understanding of basic jewellery techniques, including soldering. You may have studied elsewhere, or are currently enrolled in another course, If you wish to discuss your skill level, please get in contact.
Course Objectives
It is expected that you are already familiar and have been inducted on jewellery tools and equipment in our workshop or elsewhere. If you are new to The Bench please arrange to arrive earlier for OH&S induction. You must be reasonably competent at soldering and basic jewellery making. We recommend using yellow gold to start with however, rose gold and white are optional (please note that white gold is typically more expensive than Yellow or Rose).
This class develops your skills to be able to use both 9ct and 18ct Gold - you may prefer wearing one over the other.
These are some of the techniques that you will be guided through:
Metallurgy
Complex solder joins (for both fine jewellery and standard jewellery connections)
Industry standard finishing/polishing
New materials knowledge and understanding through application
Temperature control
Chemicals and their uses
Design planning
Course Outcomes
The focus of this course is to refine your skills and produce a highly finished gold ring. The skills you learn can be used later with pendants, bracelets, earrings etc.
You will be introduced to industry standard machinery and equipment that will help you to refine your approach to jewellery making. Everyone will complete one gold ring.
You will complete this course having increased your skills set and you will leave with the understanding and confidence to continue making gold jewellery.
You will learn to make a gold ring using stock gauge - The Bench will email you to determine how much you need and the cost.
What’s Included
You will need to purchase gold in addition to the student participation fee.
As the cost of Gold continues to fluctuate it is difficult to place a fixed costing on your ring. Therefore the cost of gold will be considered as a separate material fee on top of your participant fees. This may vary between participants based on their finger size and final measurements of metal being used - you will receive an email from The Bench to determine this cost.
All fees - including personal material costs (GST and any postage fees paid by The Bench due to many of our merchants remaining closed) will be paid in full ahead of class. With this in mind it is a good idea to enrol no later than 1 week prior to the class date as there may be wait times.
You will be provided with sterling silver to sample, consumables – saw blades, gold (and silver) solder, emery, industry standard polishing equipment and a calm vibe to help you conquer your fears about working with gold.
*Unfortunately we cannot use your recycled gold in this class, as there will not be enough time. Please get in contact if this is something you wish to do through private tuition. Thank you.
The Tutor: Erin Keys
Erin Keys has over 20 years experience as a jeweller, designer and educator with a diverse range of achievements in various facets of craft and design. Participating in nearly 100 exhibitions in Australia and overseas since 1999, her practice spans one-off exhibition pieces, bespoke commissions and a limited edition laser cut production range available through several stockists.
Erin has taught beginner to advanced jewellery courses at Sturt Summer School, JamFactory, SquarePeg Studios and is currently a sessional teacher at UNSW Art & Design.
For the past 10 years Erin has had extensive involvement with design and education, working as a Jewellery Design Developer for over 5 years at one of Australia's leading design companies Dinosaur Designs and for Louise Olsen X ALEX AND TRAHANAS.
The Bench workshop
The Workshop
The Bench is a modern, light filled, industry standard workshop focusing on education and training. It is a relaxed and friendly place to learn traditional and contemporary jewellery techniques, a space to develop ideas and projects such as ring making, silver jewellery and stone setting gems. We provide concept based jewellery classes to the absolute beginner, the aspiring maker and to the professional jeweller.
The Bench is a safe working and learning environment, complete with a wide inventory of tools and equipment, such as Vaniman polishing extraction, enamelling kiln, fume cabinets, micromotors, soldering torches, rolling mill, tumbler, ultrasonic and more.
Location
The Bench acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of our land – Australia. The Bench acknowledges the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of this place we now call Sydney.
Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square
Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square
The Bench is located at the exquisite historic site, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square, and is easily accessed by bus, train (Green Square Station), ride or walk.
The Bench cultivates inclusive, creative and accessible spaces for everyone to have the opportunity to feel safe and welcomed.
The building has full wheelchair accessibility, ramp access from street and park entrances, internal lift for access to upper levels and a unisex accessible toilet on each level.
THE BENCH, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre
3A Joynton Ave, Zetland NSW 2017
Additional notes
All the tools & machinery you need are available at the venue; including an apron. Please bring materials and ideas for your individual project. You may want to buy further materials from our metal suppliers – your tutor will provide you with supplier information.
For health and safety reasons, please bring along with you the following
Hair tie: If you have long hair, please bring along something to tie it back with
Closed in shoes: We will be working with hot, sharp and heavy tools, so please wear shoes, which will protect your feet. Avoid wearing loose flowing garments.
Sketch book/note book/ pen and/or pencil: Please bring along a notebook for your own notes and design ideas. Notes will be provided to complement the techniques you will be learning but you may wish to make your own notes.
Remember: If you use glasses for reading and /or close up work please remember to bring them along.
Book your course
Questions?
Email us at: jewellery@thebench.sydney
or call us on: 0406 794 112