Groveside School Workshop Class
This week we were delighted to welcome a group of Year 7 students from Groveside School into our Workshop Studio to belatedly celebrate National Manufacturing Day. Groveside is a wonderful school that supports students with learning and additional needs, and it was such a joy to introduce them to the world of jewellery making.
Led by Abi, the class began with an introduction to the tools and techniques we use every day in the workshop. Each student had the chance to design and make their own piece of jewellery, working with copper, which is a great metal for beginners as it’s soft enough to cut and polish while still giving a real sense of craftsmanship.
The morning started with sketching, where the students create designs that reflected their own ideas and could be cut using the jewellers saw. Once the designs were ready, it was time to get creative.
Sawing through metal for the first time can be tricky, but with a bit of patience, teamwork and encouragement, everyone brought their designs to life.
After cutting and shaping their pieces, the students learned how to file, polish and experiment with texture using hammers and stamping tools. By the end of the session, each student had a finished piece to take home and show their families, and plenty of smiles to go with it.
Workshops like this mean a lot to us. By opening our doors, we can help young people experience the creativity, skill and satisfaction that come from making something with their own hands. Jewellery making isn’t just about sparkle, it’s about problem solving, patience and pride in the process.
We were so proud of the enthusiasm the students showed, and the beautiful work they produced. It was a wonderful reminder of why we love sharing our craft with others..
“The students all loved it and were really pleased to take a finished product home.”