Laura Ngyou
Laura trained at Middlesex University and the prestigious Bishopsland Workshops in Oxfordshire. Her work is experimental, manipulating metal to create reimagined natural landscapes sympathetic to a gemstone’s individual character.
Ref: SWE33089
Learn basic stone-setting techniques and an awareness of design problems and solutions that arise when combining different types of stones with various types of jewellery. You will learn correct planning and design before embarking on a piece.
You are encouraged to make one or more pieces of work, based on the examples and demonstrations given. You might just want to spend the course experimenting and making numerous test pieces for use in future projects. Alternatively, you might want to bring work in progress, where advice and guidance is needed as to how to proceed in order to find the best solution, but work has to be relevant to the course content, where stones are set in a basic way, using the techniques covered in the course.
Materials and techniques covered:
● Design planning, developing a practical awareness of which stones and settings would be suitable for different types of jewellery
● Making a bezel setting for a cabochon stone using fine silver or gold, and setting the stone
● Making a basic claw setting for a stone using sterling silver and setting it
● Flush/gypsy setting for round stones using copper or silver (dependent on time and experience level of the class)
You will be shown samples and test pieces made by the tutor, with a talk about the techniques used. The tutor will also demonstrate how a basic bezel setting is made on a silver ring and the making of a basic claw setting for a piece of jewellery of your choice. Depending on time and experience level of the class, the tutor will also demonstrate the use of basic flush settings in jewellery. You will be able to embark on your own piece/s after discussing them with the tutor, so planning can be done properly.
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)
Laura trained at Middlesex University and the prestigious Bishopsland Workshops in Oxfordshire. Her work is experimental, manipulating metal to create reimagined natural landscapes sympathetic to a gemstone’s individual character.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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