Mixing metals – for jewellers and silversmiths with Patrick Davison

Ref: S4D33361

Book now

Places available

About this course

Experiment with mixed metal techniques and processes using wire, sheet or tube as starting points. Explore how the materials lend themselves to different designs with the option of making a piece of jewellery.

Course Description

This course aims to introduce you to a wide range of mixed metal techniques and processes as well as the use and application of the resulting materials. Focusing on techniques that use wire, sheet or tube as starting points, you will be able to combine metals in different ways, achieving a wide range of different results.

You will cover the production of silver solders, needed for a variety of different solder applications, as well as the production of a range of alloys to introduce into the work. There will be opportunity to experiment with the taught techniques to engage with the process in a rich and personal way. You can explore the design process, seeing how the materials we work with lend themselves to different designs, with the option of making a piece of jewellery by the end of the course.

Course Materials

Included

  • The course fee includes the cost of zinc, and the silver and copper grain required to make the solders.

What students need to bring

  • Any jewellery tools you use on a regular basis
  • An apron
  • Something to tie your hair back with, if it is long
  • Shoes that cover your feet (no sandals or flip flops or high heels)

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Copper and brass sheet – 1mm
  • Copper, brass and silver wire – 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm
  • Jewellery consumables (saw blades, emery paper etc)
  • Silver solder (hard, medium, easy etc)
  • Silver can be purchased from the College Shop, which stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings. These will be available in set sizes and lengths, suitable for a wide range of projects.

Additional information

Please note: You will need to bring with you, or purchase from the shop, copper and brass sheet and copper, brass and silver wire. Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

General Information

Tutors

Patrick Davison

Patrick Davison studied at the Glasgow School of Art and Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence. He has worked for several goldsmiths and at the Royal College of Art. Patrick is a member of the Contemporary British Silversmiths and has won several awards including Best New Design at Goldsmiths Fair 2016.

I hope to encourage students by introducing new techniques to then find their own approach to it.

I like to investigate different ways that metal is used and manipulated but also constructed, investigating or representing the physical building of materials.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Urchin fondue skewers - Julian Stephens

One day silversmithing workshop

27 Jan 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Julian Stephens |
Suitable for all
£169

Beginners' silversmithing – make a small round box

16 to 19 Jan 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Abigail Brown |
Beginners
£595

Filigree jewellery

10 to 12 Jan 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Filipa Oliveira |
Intermediate
£346

Introduction to stone setting

31 Jan 2025 to 2 Feb 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Laura Ngyou |
Intermediate
£322

Interested in a career in metalwork?

Our Foundation Degree in Metalwork will enhance your employment prospects, give you the skills to set up as a self-employed craftsperson or allow you to continue to higher education. Encompassing both silversmithing and blacksmithing, you will learn practical skills, material properties, placing your work in a broader context and historic metalworking techniques. Find out more