STAGE ONE INTRODUCTION
Learn to Make Jewellery

In this introductory course you will experience the use of a range of jewellery tools and techniques in a friendly and relaxed environment. Your experienced tutor will guide you through a range of techniques for basic introductory jewellery making. You will have the opportunity to learn different styles and explore design ideas.

When: Wednesday 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Duration: 8 Weeks (20 hours)
Class size: Maximum 10 people
Cost: $595

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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

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Course Objectives

You will be guided through the following techniques over the first few weeks:

Sawing/piercing - Become proficient in setting up and using the jeweller's piercing saw to cut metal to size.

Annealing, texturing and shaping - You will gain an understanding in how to gently heat your metal to soften it, allowing you to then decorate and shape your metal. You will learn how to measure a ring size; form, shape and use a hand held oxy/gas torch to solder your silver.

Reticulation, granulation, doming and jewellery findings – You will become able to bring rich depth to your pieces with ancient metallurgic knowledge and 3 Dimensional shapes. You will have the opportunity to learn how to make your own catches, earring hooks and jump-rings.

Finishing - You will acquire a knowledge of how to file and polish your finished design and introduce colour to your work using patination techniques.

Course Outcomes

Each course begins with short, structured technical exercises and then fabricating, decorating and joining will be demonstrated. You will learn the basic skills needed to create your own sterling silver ring and the remaining time can be used to create your own simple design using your new skills. Everyone should complete at least two pieces of jewellery.

Discussion between tutor and the students as a group and as individuals will take place each week, to guide you to improve your skills.

What’s Included

A materials pack is supplied for your initial projects. A selection of materials will be available to buy from your tutor at cost price.

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 Tutor: Elizabeth Mitchell

Liz began her lifelong passion for jewellery at the Iconic Australian Dinosaur Designs, employed as a production assistant. In 2011, Liz enrolled in part time study, eventually enrolling at TAFE in 2012. Completing her Certificate 3 in Jewellery Trade and Manufacturing, she joined the production team at Australian powerhouse Sarah and Sebastian. Liz has taught Intro Jewellery and one day ring making workshops at community jewellery workshops and she now works part-time at Eastern Suburbs jewellery brand Corali. Liz has her own exquisite jewellery brand @theoccasionaljeweller

Apart from having a solution to every jewellery problem ever, Liz is also the resident Bench guru Permanent Jeweller! We love that Liz is bestowing us with her expertise by teaching our evening Introductory Jewellery classes and know that you will love her too!

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

Please be aware that we are a very small operation. Voicemails are listened to once a week on a Wednesday. We understand that you may prefer to talk with a real live human, and we are very happy to speak with you too. However, we politely ask that you schedule a suitable time. Instead of leaving a voicemail, we recommend sending a brief audio text or text message with your enquiry. We are very prompt when replying to a text message or email.

Additional notes

All the tools, materials and consumables you need for the course will be available at the venue; including an apron. 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