Explore Organic Silversmithing techniques with Laura Ngyou – Three Days

We are delighted to be welcoming Laura Ngyou back to the gallery for this amazing three day short course. This course will give you a huge insight into a range of organic experimental silversmithing techniques that Laura explores within her work.  We are so lucky to be offering this three day course as you will be learning a huge amount of techniques.

We will be focusing on experimenting and learning a series of casting techniques. With the intention of going away with a statement necklace.

Day One

We will start by transforming silver scrap into one of a kind pieces of jewellery by exploring sand casting and drop casting techniques.  Using organic materials like twigs, moss, beans, shells or man made materials like toy figurines. Once you are happy with your casts we will then explore a technique called placement setting.  This is a technique where you are able to set faceted stones into the silver organic casts.

Day Two

We will carry on exploring the placement setting casting process and once you have all finished experimenting we will start designing our necklaces. Looking at each element you have created and working out how we can join these to create a unique piece of jewellery. At this stage we will do a series of demonstrations of how to create links such as jump rings, tiny hinges (if you are feeling brave) and rivets. We will also demonstrate how to create granulation.  By the end of the day you should see your necklace evolve and a strong design concept should be taking shape.

Day Three 

This day is all about the finishing off. Everyone will be at a different stage on this day and Emily and Laura will help you all at this point individually.  However demonstrations on setting rough cut stones using claw settings, and the ancient technique of Kuemboo (the application of heating gold leaf onto the service of silver) will be demonstrated throughout the day. We will also demonstrate how to create a catch.

What’s Included 

All materials, soft drinks and cakes are included in this workshop 

What you will learn

Soldering

Drop casting

Sand casting

Placement setting

Claw setting rough cut stones

Sanding and polishing

Creating jump rings

rivets

small hinges

Kuemboo  and granulation.

Capability 

Anyone can take part in this workshop but having a strong understanding of soldering is advised.