Workshops | Susan Hill Jewellery

All my workshops take place in my private studio in the converted stable yard at Markeaton Park Craft Village – with its beautiful original beams and log burner, I am with a group of other creative businesses in the 18th Century historic outbuildings surrounding a courtyard that was originally part of Markeaton Hall.

During each of the sessions you will be taken step-by-step through the process from the design of your jewellery to the finished piece by myself, an experienced jewellery silversmith, or by Lowri, a very talented jeweller and artist/designer.

Each course has a maximum of six places, ensuring everyone gets the individual attention they need to get the most out of these exciting hands-on workshops. No experience is necessary to take part. If you would like to book a workshop with one or more friends I am happy to arrange a date and time to suit yourselves, and one-to-one sessions can also be arranged, details on request.

To see some of the fantastic jewellery made by students at my workshops visit my facebook page – www.facebook.com/susanhilljewellery – and take a look at the album ‘Jewellery Workshop Photos’. Alternatively you can find me on Instagram – @susanhilljewellery.

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5 Week Night Classes

These workshops, delivered over regular weekly sessions from 7 - 9pm, will allow you the time to not only learn the silversmithing techniques needed to design and create your own sterling silver jewellery, but also to practise and develop these skills further by working on a number of jewellery pieces of your choice during the course.

They will also give you the opportunity to embark on more advanced projects. As everyone will be working on individual projects at their own levels, this set of workshops is ideal whether or not you have previous silversmithing experience.

You will initially be taken step-by-step through the process from the design of your jewellery to the finished piece, following which you will be working on your own ideas and designs under close supervision and guidance. You will be shown the key techniques of hand-sawing, filing, drilling, doming and soldering, together with decorative finishes such as matt, hammered and reticulated to make your finished pieces of jewellery individual to you. Due to the small group at the class you will be able to receive advice and assistance whenever needed, and during the weekly sessions you will be able to learn other silversmithing techniques as and when required by your designs. For example, you may wish to cover disc cutting, letter punches, oxidation with liver of sulphur, sweat soldering, ring making, sweat soldering…….

The Monday and Wednesday evening workshops are run by myself, an experienced jeweller & silversmith, while the Tuesday and Thursday classes are run by Lowri, a very talented jeweller and artist/designer.

My evening workshops run throughout the year but as they are quite popular the dates often get booked in advance and sometimes don’t make it onto my website! If you are interested in attending my evening workshops please contact me for dates and availability for 2020. The workshops that currently have availability are as follows:

Set 2:

Mondays - February 24th // March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd - Sorry, this set is full

Tuesdays - February 25th // March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th - Sorry, this set is full

Wednesdays - February 26th // March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th - Sorry, this set is full

Set 3:

Mondays - April 20th, 27th // May 4th, 11th, 18th - Sorry, this set is full

Tuesdays - April 12st, 28th // May 5th, 12th, 19th - Sorry, this set is full

Wednesdays - April 22nd, 29th // May 6th, 13th, 20th - Sorry, this set is full

Set 4:

Mondays - June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th - 2 Spaces

Tuesdays - June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th - 4 Spaces

Wednesdays - June 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th // July 1st - 4 Spaces

These courses cost £120, this includes use of all of the tools and equipment for the 5 weeks. Cost of materials is not included in this price.

Private and one-to-one Workshops

If there are between 2 and 6 of you planning to come to a workshop together, why not book a private group workshop on a day to suit you? For the same price as a ‘public’ workshop - £50 each for a half day/£90 for a full day (plus the cost of materials used) – and you can choose what type of jewellery you would like to make!

Individual one-to-one workshops can also be booked for £25/hour (plus the cost of the materials used), giving you the opportunity to work on whatever piece of jewellery you like!

Couples Wedding Ring Workshops

Make your wedding day even more special by coming along for a private workshop and handcrafting each others wedding rings. A full day private workshop costs £90 each, plus the cost of materials used and the price of having the rings hallmarked. If you are thinking about making your wedding rings, please arrange to come along and meet me in my studio beforehand to discuss the design of your rings to make sure you are able to make what you hope.

Upcoming Workshops

These workshops are yet to have their date confirmed. In the meantime, if you would like to book any of these workshops, then please contact me for more information.

Date TBC

Full day (10am-4.30pm): Come and Make a Show-Stopper!

Come along for the full day and make your own show-stopping piece of jewellery! The type of jewellery you make will be completely up to you, and as you will be spending a whole day in the studio you will be encouraged to have a go at making something unique and adventurous which you may wish to turn it into a pendant, or maybe a brooch!

Date TBC

Half day (morning : 11am-2.30pm) : Make a Sterling Silver Wire Charm

During this workshop you will be shown how to design and create your own unique charm using sterling silver wire. You will be guided through the method of wire manipulation to create your initial, name or even your own star sign.

Date TBC

Half day (morning : 11am-2.30pm) : Stone Wire Wrapping Workshop

During this class you will be shown how to turn a beautiful stone or gem into a pendant or ring through the technique of wire wrapping.