Summer courses for silversmiths and jewellers
Our 3-day intermediate-to-advanced courses are primarily for the Bishopsland Fellows community and other more advanced makers. These courses offer in-depth and higher-level skills training for mid-career makers looking to extend their knowledge and skills.
Run from our purpose-built workshops, our facilities offer a well-equipped sanctuary in the countryside to renew friendships and extend skills. Each course will be led by an expert master craftsperson who is familiar with Bishopsland’s layout, tools and machines.
We’re limiting attendance to 6 makers for a more customised and agile experience. The courses will feature both 1-to-1 and group tutoring, and attendees will be asked beforehand about specific areas or skills you’d like to focus on.
Enamelling with Sheila McDonald
Press forming with Angela Cork
Stone Setting with Machi de Waard
Enamelling
with Sheila McDonald
4-6 August 2025
Under the expert guidance of Sheila McDonald you will explore a number of experimental enamelling techniques using powered and lump enamel. The techniques covered will include sieving enamel, grinding lump enamel, preparing enamel on 3D and 2D metal surfaces, cloisonné, basse- taille, working with fine gold and silver foil and other surface decoration techniques.
Press Forming
with Angela Cork
18-20 August 2025
The objective of this short course will be to design and make a small press-formed object using the method of creating an open die tool. You will gain knowledge of the technique of press forming and hands-on experience of the Hydraulic and Fly press.
A combination of demonstrations and one-to-one guidance will enable participants to hone their skills during the course.
Stone Setting
with Machi de Waard
27-29 August 2025
You will be square setting: learning how to use rectangular wire to fabricate a square and using files and burrs to create a seat for the stone; square setting using a square tube to create a bezel mount for a square stone and ensure it sits correctly for setting.
Pulling all these mount settings together, you will learn how to set the stone in both settings using a hammer and punch. Â