Silversmithing for Beginners
A series of classes teaching you all the basic but essential silversmithing skills that you need to create beautiful jewellery.
About the Course
The Silversmithing for Beginners course introduces you to all the wonderful techniques you will need to start making your own beautiful jewellery - and has plenty of tips for the more experienced students too!
The classes currently available cover how to make bangles, chains, rings and pendants, and more classes will be added to the course over time. As with all classes on The Jeweller's Bench, once you've enrolled there are no limits to how many times you can watch a class, or for how long you can watch it for!
If you need any extra help as you work your way through the classes do join us over on The Jeweller's Bench Café group over on Facebook - the perfect place to ask for advice and to show off what you've been making.
As more classes are added to the course the price will increase. Buy now and get access to all future classes as well at the price you pay now!
Tools and Materials
Each class includes a section explaining the tools and materials needed to make that project, and also discusses alternatives that may be suitable. Downloadable equipment lists are also available.
Some of the classes may look as though they need quite a bit of kit, but do remember that most of the equipment will be used for many different projects, many times over. A list of reputable suppliers can be found over on The Jeweller's Bench blog.
Materials Used in the Classes
Beautiful Bangles
On average 200mm to 220mm of wire.
Round, oval, square, rectangular or half-round wires with a minimum of 2mm diameter are best for this project, with round and oval wires being easiest for beginners.
Hammered Chain Bracelet
1.2mm to 1.5mm diameter round sterling silver wire. 1.2mm sterling silver round wire used in the class example.
Wire down to 1mm can be used but smaller links would then be needed for the design to keep the links strong.
Floral Domed Heart Pendant
0.7mm or 0.8mm sterling silver sheet (approximately 20 gauge) large enough to saw out two identical shapes,
plus a chain to complete the pendant.
Petal Earrings
0.8mm sterling silver round wire,
small amount of silver sheet approximately 0.5mm to 0.7mm thick.
Tiny Flower Stud Earrings
a small amount of silver sheet between approximately 0.5mm and 0.7mm thick,
plus a pair of stud fittings.
Hammered Donut Earrings
a small piece of silver sheet approximately 0.7mm thick,
plus a pair of stud fittings.
Bird on a Branch Pendant
sheet metal approximately 0.8mm (20 gauge),
2 small jump rings,
plus a chain to finish pendant.
Embossed Leaf Necklace
0.8mm to 1mm sterling silver sheet,
0.8mm wire for bails,
plus a chain to complete the necklace
Russian Wedding Ring
D-shaped or half round wire. The class example uses 2.5mm by 1.3mm D-shaped wire.
30cm of wire is usually plenty for
an average sized ring
Simple Hammered Rings
Half-round, rectangular, oval, round and square wire of between 1.8mm and 2.5mm.
20cm of wire is usually plenty for
3 average sized rings
Courses Included
Joanne Tinley
Tutor and Founder of The Jeweller's Bench
The Jeweller's Bench is run by Joanne Tinley. She has been making her own jewellery for as long as she can remember and left her first career as a school teacher to set up business as a jewellery designer and tutor nearly 20 years ago. She is self-taught and like many people started with wire and beads. Learning how to solder, however, opened up a whole new world of jewellery making, one that she is keen to share!
