Jewellery Making Courses & One to One Tuition
I offer one-to-one classes and mentoring in artisan jewellery making and design from my garden studio in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. In personalised sessions, we can focus on developing both your practical skills as well as guiding your creative projects. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, I provide hands-on craftsmanship and technical skills coaching to help you grow. It's a collaborative, supportive environment where you can bring your ideas to life and create beautiful, unique pieces of jewellery.
With over three decades of teaching experience in both colleges and privately, and from running my own studio jewellery business, I bring a wealth of expertise to my mentoring sessions at papermetal.
Following my own training at Berkshire College of Art & Design in the 80's under the direction of Master Silver/Goldsmith Brian Newble, and other practicing tutors with their own successful businesses, I was awarded an industry sponsored Research Fellowship and was highly commended twice in the National Platinum Awards. More recently I was selected to design and make a collection for the National Trust, as their Artisan Maker 2019/20 and selling through their National Trust properties and on-line shop. I have over the years received corporate and private commissions through amongst others, Revlon, the Crafts Council and private clients. I have exhibited at International Trade Fairs and my work has appeared in influential jewellery retail magazines in Japan. I opened my own jewellery and printmaking gallery in France for a couple of years.
I currently sell commercially through independent and public galleries, craft and design shows, on-line (Etsy and NotOnTheHighStreet) and undertake private commission work. I am a selected maker at the Crafts Council.
Please find some testimonials from my current students:
Liz Hawkes 30 July 2024
'I started my sessions with Julie about 18 months ago and haven’t looked back. I’d previously completed a City & Guilds in Precious Jewellery, but that was over 20 years ago and since then my career, children and a move north had all taken priority instead.
It was not until I started selling work for other jewellers in my own gallery that I realised how much I wanted to get back to my own making. I kept thinking of design ideas but didn’t have the confidence to make them happen and although I had the kit I just I couldn’t remember how to use it.
I approached Julie because I was keen to work with a teacher on a one to one basis, rather than a group session. I like the fact that she is a professional jeweller, with a strong commercial sense, as well as someone with a background in teaching art and design. Julie has that innate ability to impart complex information in a way that is easy to understand and she has given me the confidence to get on and do what I need to do. We started by going back to basics so I could relearn the practical techniques and very quickly my sessions moved on to the design process and business reality of selling contemporary jewellery. I’m now designing my first jewellery collection, which she has really helped me develop.
I always look forward to my fortnightly sessions with Julie who I now consider a friend. Tea, biscuits and Truffe the dog are another draw, and if anyone is reading this and debating whether to give jewellery a go – just do it. If you are anything like me you’ll be hooked in no time!'
Lizzie Eggington 15 May 2024
'My mum and I have always enjoyed learning new crafts together and we both love jewellery so decided on finding a course to make a ring. We discovered a five session short programme with Julie that would allow us to learn basic techniques and also have a beautiful hand-made piece to wear.
After completing a gorgeous ring and dazzling pendant, I found myself sorrowful that the time had come to an end. My mum was to be eighty in the summer, and the desire to give her a special present, and to continue my love affair with jewellery making, induced me to secretly ask if Julie would help me make a brooch to mark the occasion. I’ve spent the last few months fabricating two practice brooches and the ‘real-thing’. Along the way I’ve learnt a huge amount - piercing, soldering, texturing, filing, polishing, stone setting and so much more. Julie is a fantastic teacher, she demonstrates each task carefully but also explains the reasons behind the various techniques we’re using. She is so patient and kind.
I can’t wait to give my mum her present and see the joy on her face. I’m also excited at the prospect of new projects ahead. Through Julie my imagination of what I can achieve has been ignited and a passion for creating timeless pieces has been sparked.'
Melinda Garton 9 June 2024
'I have always had a burning desire to create my own jewellery and have played around with a few designs with wirework and beading but I have always wanted to learn the art of making jewellery with silver. I looked around for a course to do in my area as I feel that the one to one tutoring you can get from someone experienced is the best way to learn and to get started as their knowledge is second to none.
I found Julie at 'papermetal' through a general online search and I was thrilled to find out she was only about an hour away from where I live. I nervously made the first step in contacting Julie to ask a few questions to see if this was the right kind of workshop for me. Julie was so lovely and very informative as we conversed via email and pretty quickly I made the decision to book in for the 5 week block sessions she was offering.
My nerves were very much still there on my first meeting with Julie, but they really did not need to be, she is so welcoming, and we had a brilliant first chat on what I wanted to get out of her teachings. Sharing my designs and the kind of bespoke pieces I wanted to make was pretty scary, but Julie was so encouraging that I could achieve anything I wanted to, it was great. 'Just go for it' is a phrase she uses a lot, we talk through and work with how I was to achieve the kind of designs I wanted to create and by doing it this way I got to learn and familiarise myself with so many different techniques on my first project.
Going forward I am excited to learn so much more from Julie and to get her advice on how to create smaller more commercial pieces with inspiration taken from the larger more bespoke unique pieces I love to create, build up my own workspace/studio at home to eventually start my own little business one day.'
Workshop Sessions
After an initial introduction to basic techniques and the use of equipment and tools, I can tailor our workshop sessions to suit your own needs; most people find making something from scratch with their hands very satisfying and quite magical, I can help you achieve that and open the door to a creative hobby, a small lifestyle business or to extend and explore techniques to compliment your own existing art or craft practice.
Taster session: 3 hours £85 per person (max 2 people)
Recommended for beginners and returners. A useful introduction to the studio and me.
Make a textured silver band ring from scratch, work in the studio with me, and have a beautiful hand-made piece to take home from your very first session.
Introductory Course: 5 session x 2 hours (pre-booked bundle) £250 per person (max 2 people)
Recommended for beginners and to consolidate intermediate learning.
Covering and/or re-establishing fundamental skills and techniques including: piercing, filing, drilling, fabricating, shaping & forming, texturing, embossing and patination, annealing, soldering and finishing.
Working in copper and progressing to silver with an understanding of their different properties.
Consideration of design elements and wearability, incorporation of simple fittings to suit.
Introductory projects may include a ring, pendant and earrings.
Base metals and sundries provided.
Advice on purchasing silver for a finished project.
One to One Tuition: Pay As You Go weekly or fortnightly 3 hours £75/ 2 hours £50
Recommended for intermediate and more advanced students, or those who have completed an introductory course.
Consolidation and advancement of fundamental skills.
Introduction to intermediate techniques that may include rub-over cabochon stone setting, constructed forms, fabrication, wire work, embossing, repousse, granulation, articulation, cold joining, handmade fittings etc. as required
Traditional and alternative polishing techniques.
Personally defined projects in precious metals and gemstones.
Gallery and craft fair collection production.
Advanced and remedial sessions.
Mentoring: Incorporated in above courses as required
Designing a collection for galleries, craft shows and direct selling.
Advice on individual design and make projects.
Setting up a home workshop, sourcing materials and tools.
Selling through galleries, craft fairs, Etsy and on-line.
Branding, marketing and confidence building.
Photography, website and social media.
Pricing, wholesale, sale or return.
Commissions.
Whether you are a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, I offer a supportive, hands-on environment to help you create beautiful, unique artisan jewellery. The philosophy of the studio focuses on learning through making and it encourages understanding of materials and processes, designing and problem-solving...friendly and relaxing, and with a little bit of alchemy.
Join me in the studio and let's explore the craftsmanship of jewellery making together.
What does a typical session include?
After a quick cuppa and a review of the previous session and any home working done, we then plan the specific objectives for the session.
Aprons on (supplied or your own)we then get on with practical tasks, which can include being inducted into new techniques, skills practice, general making, troubleshooting and problem solving, exploring new ideas or options, or just working through a to do list and questions for Julie!
Do I need a taster session first?
A taster session is a useful way to see how it feels to work with metal in a studio with me. This introduces you to some basic techniques, and the studio set-up, and of course working alongside me.
It is also useful for me if you have had some previous experience or not as a diagnostic to tailor future sessions to suit your own objectives, needs and abilities.
What days/times do you offer workshops?
I prefer weekday mornings from 10.30am for most of my regular classes.
I can occasionally accommodate after work and Saturday mornings sessions if required.
In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to arrange consecutive weekday short courses if you are visiting the area briefly.
I offer courses all year round making allowances for Christmas and holidays.
Do you have more than one student at a time? Are the sessions individual?
Each session is private and individual. The tuition is offered one-to one.
The studio can accommodate two students at a time, so you may arrange to come with a friend or family member.
What insurance do you have?
I have full public liability insurance for the workshop, clients, visitors and customers.
What Health and Safety measures to you take?
You will be inducted in all equipment, materials and procedures to ensure safe working practices.
The studio is well maintained and equipment kept in good working order.
You will be required to wear safety glasses for certain tasks, closed toe sensible shoes, hair tied back, loose sleeves, scarves and jewellery removed or tucked out of the way.
I provide an apron.
A small first aid kit is in the studio.
Learning and teaching practices?
I have worked in several educational institutions over the years and have worked with a range of students with different needs and abilities.
I am happy to accommodate different preferences in my teaching delivery.
What materials do you work with?
We use fine and sterling silver, coloured golds, and precious and semi-precious stones.
Base metals as required eg. copper, brass, bronze.
Gemstones, organic materials ( eg. Amber, river pearls) and semi precious beads can be incorporated into the work.
I have award level experience of working in platinum, and enamelling although I do not currently use these in my everyday work.
I am also happy to use non metal materials having explored the potential of beads, textiles, resin, perspex, wood, jet, sea glass, ebony, ivory, tortoiseshell and upcycling of found and vintage materials.
Do you do stone setting courses?
I can instruct you in precious and semi precious cabochon and contemporary 'rub-over' bezel setting.
We can review hand setting techniques for found materials including sea-glass, faceted stones, enamels, and open backed, bearer wire and double sided options.
I have limited professional equipment for fine jewellery diamond setting ie. pave, gypsy, flush, channel and claw setting.
I can signpost you to certified courses, gemstone materials and experienced setters.
What about other forms of jewellery?
I can provide general advice and guidance around design and some technical and material considerations for beaded, silver clay and textile jewellery.
Some expertise in repousse and enamelling.
Limited experience in engraving, etching and electro-plating and forming.
Basic understanding of the processes of anodising Titanium and the cold joining of Aluminium and of spinning.
What does it cost? Whats included in the price?
The taster session of 3 hours £85 per person, includes all materials for a completed silver ring project.
The introductory course of 5 x 2 hour sessions includes all sundries, base metals (copper for technique practice and prototypes) and advice on purchasing silver for your final project. The course fee of £250 is payable with a non-refundable deposit of £25 and £45 per session in advance.
You may then choose to proceed to Pay as You Go sessions. I will provide all sundries, base metals where appropriate and you will provide, with guidance, silver or gold and gemstones for your projects. These sessions can be 2 hours weekly £50 per session or 3 hours fortnightly £75 per session.
How do I pay?
Bookings require a £25 non refundable deposit to reserve your session.
I can take payment via Bank Transfer, card payment or cash.
Payment is due on or before your booked session.
What if I need to cancel?
There is a £25 non-refundable deposit for any confirmed booking (I may not be able to re-offer your booked session)
If you need to cancel within 24 hours of your booked session 50% of the session fee is payable.
At other times we can hopefully rebook your session to suit.
Can I buy vouchers?
Pre paid open dated vouchers are available for family and friends to purchase to contribute to your course and help support your endeavour.
Taster sessions can be bought as vouchers for those considering following up with a further interest in a course commitment.
Valid for 6 months
Do I need to any equipment?
You will have your own bench, with hand tools, starter silver and sundries supplied
You do not need to bring your own tools unless you already have some that you like to use, or would like further instruction on their use.
I can advise on setting up your own workspace at home if you wish.
I provide an apron but you may bring your own.
Close working glasses are helpful if you need them. I provide safety over glasses for heating and drilling operations.
I also provide a magnifier to work under if required.
What equipment does your studio have?
I have two workbenches equipped with a full set of basic and individual hand tools. With a shared overhead light.
A floor mounted rolling mill with additional square and half round wire forming options.
A micromotor and pendant drill for drilling, sanding and polishing, and a bench mounted Proxxon pillar drill and small grinding wheel.
A small hammer bench has a fixed vice, steel plate, assorted ring and bangle mandrels, wire drawing plates, a ring bender, doming block and swage set, various punches and hammers.
A pitch bowl, sandbag, punches and hammer are available for repousse work.
There is handheld gas canister soldering equipment for most jobs, and as required an oxygen/propane Smiths Little Torch.
The hearth area for soldering includes a charcoal block, small turntable, third hand and quenching and a pickle pot.
Is your studio easily accessible? Do you have toilet facilities?
The studio is a modern garden office, fully insulated, with air extraction, air-source heating and cooling, well lit, and with lots of natural light.
It is accessed through the house via a staircase up to the garden. The garden is peaceful and private.
There are two toilets in the house.
Is it easy to find? Can I park?
The studio is found at 4 Masonic Lane, Thirsk YO7 1PS.
From Thirsk Market Place it is a short drive along Kirkgate and turning left at Zillah Bell Gallery onto Masonic Lane, a one way street. The row of 4 mews terrace houses are found shortly on the left. No 4 has two square planters underneath the windows, tulips or hydrangeas, depending on the season.
We have one visitor parking spot on the forecourt, on the right as you pull in, alongside the low wall. This is available by appointment.
Alternatively parking for a couple of hours can be made in Thirsk Market Place, Tescos or Lidl all a short walk away.