More Information about our Silversmithing Classes

Level One: We welcome anyone interested in learning this ancient and beautiful art form, and assure you that all abilities are welcome. No design, drawing or craft skills are required, and we have taught men and women from all backgrounds; including dentists, architects, students, stay-at-home mums, and more. From our experience we can assure you that once you learn the basics from our experienced and friendly tutors, you will find your own style.

Level Two: Once you have completed our Level One Class you can enrol in a Level Two Class. As you will now know the basics you have a bit more freedom in what you choose to make, and will have the opportunity to learn a wider variety of skills; including texturing with hammers and rolling mill, stone setting, and using silver wire in your designs. Metals will be available for purchase, so be aware of this additional cost. You can choose from the more affordable brass or copper, or spend a bit more on silver - our Tutors can advise. As many students do, you can repeat a Level Two Class as many times as you wish.

What's Next: The next step after completing a Level Two Class, when you feel confident in your abilitity to work safely, competently and independently, is to apply to join the Silversmiths' Guild as a member. Members can attend workshops (see our Events page for upcoming workshops), Studio Open Times, Free Club Nights, and can join the Committee and perhaps teach, to share your love of Silversmithing with others.

Level Three: Once you have completed our Level One Class, followed by a Level Two Class, students often re-enrol in Level Two until they are really and truly ready for some very advanced techniques and challenges. Several of our more experienced Silversmiths' Guild Members (who are also tutors) have offered to run Level Three Classes. These classes began in 2018 and so far have offered as much challenge as they have promoted enjoyment and success. Most students who applied for and attended this class have been repeating Level Two Classes for several terms, or have previous silversmithing experience to a very high level of skill.

At the Silversmiths' Guild of Canterbury, we are proud to offer you these four silversmithing classes:

Visit our Class Dates for 2024 page to view dates this class will be running.

Silversmithing Classes Level One

This class runs Tuesday Evenings, 7:00pm - 9:30pm.
This is a Level One silversmithing class. This is the introductory level for beginners.

Class content:

• An introduction to the Guild Rooms.
• We will introduce you to essential tools and jewellery design.
• We will teach you safe metal working skills of sawing, soldering, filing, sanding and riveting.
• Your first projects will be:
  • A brooch made of copper
  • A layered ring with a pierced design
• All tools are provided for the class.

We welcome all beginners to have a go at Silversmithing, from ages 16 and up. No design or craft skills required, we will teach you all the basics to get you started in making your own unique brooch and layered ring. This class is a prerequisite for the level 2 class. You can repeat this class if you choose, or enrol in a Level Two Class when you have completed this Level One Class.

Gift Vouchers : You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, perhaps enabling them to join you in the beginners Silversmithing Class. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 10 Week Class (in Terms 1, 2 and 3 only) or for an 8 week class (for Term 4 only).

In Terms 1, 2, and 3, the classes are each Tuesday evening for 10 weeks. Term 4 is only 8 weeks.

Silversmithing Classes Level Two

This class runs Wednesday Evenings, 7:00pm - 9:30pm. 
This is a Level Two silversmithing class. You must have first completed a Level One class to attend this class.

Class content:

• We provide an introduction to the Guild Rooms.
• We will assist you with essential tools and jewellery design.
• We will continue to teach you safe metal working skills of sawing, soldering, filing, sanding and riveting.
• As a Level Two student you can make:
  
  • A piece of jewellery with a cabochon stone in a bezel setting.
  • A chain or a bracelet to develop fine soldering skills.
  • Further develop your skills and design your own pieces with the tutor's guidance.
• You can purchase brass, copper and silver plate direct from our Studio.

We welcome all students who have completed our Level One Class to enrol for this Level Two Class. Now that you have mastered the basics we will guide you through making a piece of jewellery with a cabachon stone, and if you have time, a second piece of jewellery of your choice. You can enrol to attend a Level Two Class as many times as you choose. On completion of the Level Two Class you can apply to join the Silversmiths' Guild as a member.

What To Bring:

If you want to come prepared we encourage you to come with some ideas (perhaps pictures or sketches) of what you would like to make. We have an excellent Library at our Studio so we can help you decide. You may also want to purchase a cabachon stone. These are available from select Hetties Rock & Crystal Shops, and you can source them online. A larger stone will be easier to start with, perhaps a 6mm round stone or larger, depending on what you wish to make. A harder stone is also easier to work with, for example: amethyst, garnet, rose quartz, clear quartz, aquamarine, citrine.

Gift Vouchers : You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, perhaps someone who has completed the Level One Class, or who would like to attend a second Level Two Class. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 10 Week Class (in Terms 1, 2 and 3 only) or for an 8 week class (for Term 4 only).

In Terms 1, 2, and 3, the classes are each Tuesday evening for 10 weeks. Term 4 is only 8 weeks.

Silversmithing Combined Classes Level One and Two

This class runs Thursday Mornings, 10:00am - 12:30pm.
This is a combined class with BOTH Level One and Level Two students.
You will be in EITHER the Level One or Level Two group within this one class, depending on your experience.
You must have first completed a Level One class to attend this class as a Level Two student.

Class content:

• For Level One Students this class includes the content, as listed for the Level One Class above.
• For Level Two students this class includes the content as listed for the Level Two Class above. 

We offer our Thursday morning class as a convenience for those who can only attend mornings, whether they be beginners or those who have already attended a Level One Class and are ready to try Level Two. You can enrol to attend this class as either a Level One or a Level Two student as many times as you choose.

Gift Vouchers : You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, either to attend as a Level One or a Level Two student. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 10 Week Class (in Terms 1, 2 and 3 only) or for an 8 week class (for Term 4 only).

In Terms 1, 2, and 3, the classes are each Tuesday evening for 10 weeks. Term 4 is only 8 weeks.

Silversmithing Classes Level Three

This class runs Thursday Evenings, 7:00pm - 9:30pm.
This is our most advanced class, Level Three. You must have first completed a Level Two Class to attend this class.

Class content:

• A refresher to the guild rooms and catch up on any missed techniques or tools.
• More advanced stone setting techniques; i.e. prongs and claws for faceted and unusually shaped stones, including basket settings, tiffany settings, pushover/gypsy settings and card settings.
• Advanced construction techniques; i.e. cold connections and hinges.
• Freedom to work on your own projects with advice and assistance from the tutors.
• You can purchase brass, copper and silver plate direct from our Studio.

THIS IS OUR MOST ADVANCED LEVEL CLASS. All tools are provided for the class.
Class projects can be discussed with your tutor. This class includes an element of self-guidance.
This class is the most advanced level, to assist advanced students in new skills and projects, with the tutor’s guidance.

Completing a level 1 class and at least 2 advanced classes is prerequisite to attending level 3 classes.
You can repeat any level 3 classes as many times as you wish. After completing a level two or level three class you can apply to join the Guild as a member. Members are also welcome to join in on a level three class to learn some new, advanced skills.

What To Bring:

If you want to come prepared we encourage you to come with some ideas (perhaps pictures or sketches) of what you would like to make. We have an excellent Library at our Studio so we can help you decide. You may also want to purchase cabachon stones to set. A harder stone is also easier to work with, for example: amethyst, garnet, rose quartz, clear quartz, aquamarine, citrine.

Gift Vouchers

You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, but it must be someone that has already completed a Level Two Class, to have enough Level One and Level Two skills to undertake this Level Three Class. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 10 Week Class (in Terms 1, 2 and 3 only) or for an 8 week class (for Term 4 only).

In Terms 1, 2, and 3, the classes are each Tuesday evening for 10 weeks. Term 4 is only 8 weeks.