Book now:  just two places left!  Serious about making your very own solid silver jewellery?  Want to learn to solder, too (without tears)?  This fun weekend workshop is the perfect place to start, and includes over £55 worth of silver materials.  With a friendly and patient tutor to help you, alongside no more than 4 other students, you can learn to make a collection of solid silver jewellery, and no prior experience is needed!

Dates & times This is a 2-day course.  Each day's training starts promptly at 10:00hrs (doors open at 09:45hrs) and ends at 17:00hrs (though please be prepared to stay on for up to 20min if needed, to complete your projects).

Who can take this course? This course will suit you if you are either a total jewellery-making beginner, or have some beading or wirework skills.  It's perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to work in 99.9% pure silver 'clay' and how to solder. Both men and women are welcome, aged 16 years and over. Good eyesight for close work is needed (so bring reading glasses if you use them).  Steady hands help (best to stay off the coffee before the course!).

Why should I take the course? You will be guided, supported and helped to make your own range of stunning solid silver jewellery on this fun and inspiring workshop, and will take home at least three solid silver items (more if you work fast) that you've designed and made by the end of the weekend. How exciting is that?

What will I learn? How to work with the new, mouldable form of hallmark-quality 99.9% pure silver 'clay' successfully, including how to finish and fire your pieces correctly. You will also be introduced to some basic traditional silverwork skills including plenty of soldering experience, as you learn to solder (depending on which jewellery pieces you choose to make, you will solder on earstud pins, cufflink backs or solder closed jump rings).

What will I make? By the end of the weekend, you will have made at least three items of solid silver jewellery and will have learnt the basics of soldering.

Do I get to keep what I make? Absolutely. In fact, many of our students proudly wear their new solid silver jewellery home at the end of their course. Find the Sussex Jewellery School on Facebook to see more jewellery made by students on our courses.

Are materials included? The course fee includes over £55 worth of silver to make your pieces with, plus silver solder, but you will need to purchase sterling silver 'findings' (bits and bobs like jump rings, cufflink backs, chain etc) from your tutor. If you wish to make additional or larger pieces of jewellery (if time allows), or if you work to a grand scale anyway, you may need to purchase extra silver clay, but for most students this won't be necessary.

How many other students will there be? This course is taught in a smaller group than usual and places on this course are strictly limited to a maximum of just five students, ensuring you will benefit from plenty of individual attention. If you prefer to learn on your own, one-to-one tuition with Sarah Jane Whittaker is also available [See Private Tuition & Studio Time section].

What's the tutor like? This course is taught by Sarah Jane Whittaker MCSJ Dip MC, holder of the prestigious Diploma in Metal Clay Proficiency, a professional jeweller and a trained lecturer and metal clay teacher. Sarah Jane is a trained and experienced educator and fully trained in teaching metal clay skills effectively. She's well-known for her friendly, patient, enthusiastic and supportive teaching style. [See Tutor profiles page].

What do past students say? This is a new course [See Reviews for what our students say about our other courses].

What can I go on to do after the course? You will leave not only with your finished items of handmade fine silver jewellery, but also with the skills to carry on making silver jewellery at home. After taking this course, many students enrol on one of our Intermediate (level 2) one-day courses, choosing from Silver Rings Intensive, Master Metal Clay Stone-Setting, or Hollow Form Silver Beads. Some students go on to attend the Enamelling on Fine Silver 2-day course or another specialised masterclass, or learn Jewellery Design, Fingerprint Jewellery as a Business, or Gilding.

More information Why not ask your friends and family to buy you a Sussex Jewellery School gift card to help with the cost of your workshop day?

Can I change or cancel my booking? Please note that, for logistical reasons, we are unable to offer transfers or refunds on this course. Please read T&C page before booking.

Your health & safety is our priority  After booking, you will be emailed pre-course information - please read this carefully.   To ensure you receive this safely, please add sussexjewelleryschool@gmail.com to your email address book.  Important:  if you have not received the pre-course information by email within one week of booking, or if there is less than one week before your course takes place, please contact us by phone.