This course introduces you to the basics of crafting a fun selection of earrings from high quality leather and offcuts, including coloured and metallic foiled pieces. You will be taught basic leatherworking techniques, including how to join, edge and decorate leather.

The following topics are covered:

• Making earrings with post, clip on and loop fixings
• Making stud and drop style earrings
• Learning basic leatherworking skills, including cutting, edge finishing, hole punching, gluing, attaching earring fixings and earring construction
• Learning some surface decoration techniques, including dyeing and the use of metallic foiled leather

There will be scope for you to adapt the earring formats to your own designs. You will be taught a range of decorative techniques and will produce a selection of examples. Leather is very lightweight so earring designs can be sized from small to very large.

By the end of the course, you should be able to construct a simple pair of earrings with a chosen fixing and produce a collection of surface-decorated leather samples.

The course is for all levels, from complete beginners to more experienced jewellers who have never tried working in leather before.

You need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts and for health and safety information. You should be happy using numbers and be able to do simple measurements and be able to safely handle a scalpel to cut leather.

You are taught through demonstrations, practical work and discussions as a group and helped individually as required. Handouts will accompany demonstrations. All the work will be completed within the day's class. At the end of the day, the tutor will also provide details of suppliers of leather and related products used during the class.

This class also offers you the opportunity to explore working with leather offcuts and recycled leather.

Included

On this course the tutor will supply all of the materials to be shared by the group, including vegetable tanned leather, foiled leather, edge dye, leather dye, coloured leather offcuts, silver plated earring fixings, glue (two types) and decorative hole punches for use on the course.

What students need to bring

An apron and glasses for close work if worn, and a bone folder if you have one

Equipment will be provided for use in the workshop, including cutting mats, scalpels, blades, safety rulers, hammers and round hole punches.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Daily Timetable

Course teaching: 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive: 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching: 11am-1pm
Lunch break: 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching: 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions