Do you need a clear practical introduction on how to construct beautiful mounts for your stone set jewellery? Have you ever wondered how to perfect the ever so popular ‘Bezel’ style setting?

Experienced tutor Erin Keys will show you step-by-step how to create the perfect mount for your cabochon cut stones as well as offering a simple solution to successfully stone setting.

This course offers fast track learning, top bench tips and invaluable tricks of the trade.

When: January 2025
Duration: 2 Days (12 hours)
Class size: Maximum 8 people
Cost: $450

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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 have completed Learn to Make Jewellery Stage One - An Introduction or equivalent.
This course is fast paced and ideal for those who understand the basic principles of annealing, soldering, saw piercing, filing and using equipment such as micromotors. You will need to provide evidence that you meet the requirements listed in this section.

Course Objectives

The focus on fabricating a well-finished, professional silver gem set ring using a variety of semi-precious stones. You will gain confidence using new tools and equipment and develop greater material understanding. You will expand your industry knowledge and supplier information. You will learn how to make your own setting tools and broaden your knowledge of the anatomy of all stones.

Setting up your bench to improve the quality of your practice and posture.

How to successfully construct ‘settable’ mounts for cabochon cut stones. Including, bezel and tubes.

Step-by-step demonstrations followed by a series of practical exercises to build confidence and develop an understanding around the anatomy of stones and perfecting your mount construction.

Top tips on measuring, marking and soldering.

How to accurately prepare your metal before setting, including finishing and pre-polishing

Develop technique and hone skills whilst forming a deeper understanding of the relationship between precious gemstones and their mounts.

Our small class size offers you the chance to for peer-to-peer engagement as well as experience individual guidance and 1:1 time with your tutor. Allowing you to receive tailored advice to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the mount making and Gypsy setting process.

Course Outcomes

You will go home with a beautifully crafted ring. The focus of this course is to refine your skills and produce a high standard silver gem set ring, incorporating a bezel for a cabochon cut stone. The skills you learn can be used later with pendants, bracelets and earrings.

The Jewellery Taster class is a fantastic workshop to do before you embark on the 8 week Stage Two Stone Setting class.

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 semi-precious stone set silver ring and learn the steps needed to make round & oval bezels, including tube settings.

What’s Included

This workshop is fully equipped, and the course includes sterling silver ring for your ring, silver for bezel, a selection of semi-precious gemstones, base metal (copper). Silver solder as required. Finishing bits for micro motors. Extensive notes.

(OPTIVISOR or magnification is recommended! Please bring along with 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 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.

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 you need for the course will be available at the venue; including an apron.

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.
OPTIVISOR or magnification is recommended!

Book your course

Questions?

Email us at: jewellery@thebench.sydney
or call us on: 0406 794 112