JEWELLERY TASTER

Stackable Silver Rings

When I first saw a semainier ring (which is a little bit like a stackable ring set), it had been worn since the 1970’s, and I was instantly enamoured and obsessed with this style! The semainier (or “weekly” in French) ring evokes the sense of time passing through seven ‘textured’ or ‘chiseled’ rings, grouped by a flat ring - which is amazingly comfortable. Originating from the Tuareg people, these rings were very popular during the Victorian and the Art Nouveau period in France. In this one-day fine jewellery workshop, you will have the opportunity to make 7 fine sterling silver rings - all different and allowing your own individual aesthetic to shine through. They are stackable, one for each day of the week - to wear together or separately.

When: Weekends
Duration: 10:00am – 4:00pm (6 hours)
Class size: Maximum 7 people
Cost: $365 ON SALE NOW (reduced from $495)

BOOK NOW

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. You do not need to be artistic or creative - you’ll be surprised what you can create under the guidance of our expert tutors. Our taster classes are perfect for absolute beginners with no previous experience. However, if you have pre-existing jewellery skills and are looking to advance your soldering, this course is still perfect and well suited.

Course Objectives

You will be guided through the following techniques in this one day workshop:

Fine Jewellery Soldering - You will learn how to use a micro soldering torch to solder your silver rings and fine link. The type of soldering we cover is more advanced than introductory level soldering joins. You will learn how to control your flame and increase your metallurgic understanding of colour changes in metal, flux and solder. (Individual ring size may vary but maximum is approx 2.0mm - to allow room for 7 stacker rings)

Texturing/ decorative wire work – You can add texture or decorative aesthetics to your ring through a variety of different applications.

Finishing - You will acquire knowledge of how to file and polish your finished design.

Course Outcomes

You will learn the basic skills needed to create 7 fine rings in sterling silver (grouped by a flat ring - optional). The workshop begins with short, structured technical exercises and lots of material play. Then fabricating, decorating and joining will be demonstrated. (More advanced level students may wish to use gold).

This is a fast and focused 1 day workshop using micro torch soldering - if you are after a less intensive workshop please check out ‘Jewellery Taster - Make a Silver Ring’.

What’s Included

All materials are included. Including a variety of sterling silver wires to make your 7 rings, copper wire and brass wire )for samples) and consumables (saw blades, solder). Gold plating is optional for an additional fee and wait time due to outsourcing.

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, 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