One-to-One at the Bench: Introduction to Silversmithing

• Private one-to-one jewellery making experience

• A full day at the jeweller’s bench

• Suitable for complete beginners

• Learn the fundamental techniques of traditional silversmithing

• Saw piercing, soldering, forming, filing, sanding, texturing and polishing

• Work with professional jewellery-making tools and equipment

• Create your own piece of sterling silver jewellery

• Approximately 8 hours, including a one-hour lunch break

• All tools and materials provided

• Lunch and refreshments included

• Follow-up one-to-one sessions can be tailored to your interests

Spend a day with me at the jeweller’s bench and discover what really goes into making jewellery by hand.

This private one-to-one experience takes place in the Rebecca McDermott Jewellery workshop and is designed to give you a hands-on introduction to the traditional skills I use at my own bench every day.

We’ll begin with the fundamentals of working with precious metal, from marking out and saw piercing sterling silver to shaping, forming and preparing pieces for soldering. You’ll learn how to use a jeweller’s saw, files, pliers, hammers, soldering torch and rotary tools before moving through the different stages of cleaning, refining and polishing your work.

Along the way, I’ll explain not only how to use each technique but also why we use it, how the metal responds and some of the little tips and habits that make working at the bench much easier.

Because the experience is completely one-to-one, there is plenty of time to ask questions, practise each technique and work at a pace that suits you.

You’ll also put those new skills into practice by creating your own piece of sterling silver jewellery to take home with you.

This experience is perfect if you’ve always been curious about jewellery making, would like to explore silversmithing as a new hobby or simply fancy spending an entire day switching off from everything else and learning something wonderfully hands-on.

And if one day at the bench leaves you wanting more, further private sessions can be created especially for you. Depending on where your interests take you, future days could explore areas such as ring making, stone setting, wax carving, more advanced soldering, texturing, design development or other jewellery-making techniques.

Location: The experience takes place in my Rebecca McDermott Jewellery workshop in Rampark, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, County Louth. There is parking available and full address details will be included in your booking confirmation.

Duration: Approximately 8 hours, including a one-hour lunch break.

What’s included: All jewellery-making tools, equipment and sterling silver required for the day, together with lunch and refreshments.

Experience: No previous jewellery-making or silversmithing experience is required.