Jewellery – making a chain necklace with Laila Smith

Ref: SWE35846

Book now

Places available

About this course

Design and make your own unique silver chain necklace and explore a variety of links, attachments and shapes whilst learning about repeating elements and movement.

Course Description

A wonderful course to explore modern chain making ideas in depth and create a truly one-off necklace.

You will begin by looking at a number of handmade chain examples, the merits of which will be discussed, focusing on the movement, form and design of the individual links and the pieces as a whole. Tutor demonstrations will cover jump ring making, forging, riveting, wire work, piercing and soldering.

You will be encouraged to sample a number of ideas and explore repetitive links and forms before settling on a design to work on. The aim is to improve your ability to produce repetitions of elements, to try new techniques, all whilst producing a number of samples.

You will leave with a unique necklace, incorporating statement links if desired.

Course Materials

Included

The College will supply some of the materials, including silver wires and copper or brass sheet.

What students need to bring

Any silver wire, silver, copper or brass sheet, saw blades and solder you may already have

Available to buy

Available from shop:

  • 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.
  • Copper and brass sheet
  • Solder
  • Piercing saw blades

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes) and a hair tie if your hair is long.

Timetable

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am

Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required

General Information

Tutors

Laila Smith

Laila Smith is a studio jeweller and tutor. Her mathematically inspired geometric jewellery is sold across the UK. She trained at Manchester Metropolitan University and then undertook a 15 month Fellowship in The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. She has 17 years teaching experience, both in further, higher education and leisure classes.

Accommodation

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

Courses of interest

Jewellery – unlock your creative potential

8 to 14 Aug 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Laila Smith |
Suitable for all
£984

Jewellery – ring-linking with stones and beads

11 to 14 Apr 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Alison Evans |
Suitable for all
£459

Filigree jewellery

25 to 27 Apr 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Filipa Oliveira |
Intermediate
£346

Hand engraving for champlevé and basse-taille enamel work

11 to 15 May 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Jane Short |
Intermediate/Advanced
£687

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