By Angela
People are often a little nervous when they book their first Jewellery Making workshop with me.
They arrive convinced they’re going to be the one who can’t do it.
Two hours later they’re holding a silver ring they made with their own hands.
They refuse to take it off for the rest of the day.
So I thought I’d walk you through exactly what a workshop is like.
The mystery is usually scarier than the soldering torch.
First things first: you don’t need to be arty
Let me get this out of the way. You do not need to be creative, precise, or “artistic” to do this. I have taught nervous beginners, over-caffeinated hen parties, teenagers, retirees, and one gentleman who turned up purely because his wife made him and left as the most enthusiastic person in the room. If you can push a bit of silver around and follow a few simple steps, you can make something beautiful. No tricks, just treats.
A lovely garden setting
Most of my workshops run in a lovely village garden setting in Wenvoe, in the Vale of Glamorgan. You will be amongst apple and pear trees and may even get the occasional squirrel visit – until the hammering starts! For my mobile workshops I bring everything to you. Wherever we are, I bring the tools, the silver, the safety kit, and all the instruction you need. You just bring yourself.
What you’ll actually make
For a first session in Jewellery Making Cardiff, most people make a sterling silver stacking ring or a simple textured band. It’s the perfect starting point: you meet core skills without needing a degree in metalwork, and you go home with something you’ll genuinely be proud of.
Here’s roughly how the time unfolds:
We start by talking through what you are going to do. If you’ve brought a sketch, I can advise on how achievable it is. If we are looking at a ring, then we will discuss the size and profile, whether it will be chunky or delicate. In all cases we will talk about polishing and texturing and I’ll show you samples so you can hold the options rather than guess from a photo.
Then you get your hands on the metal! You’ll measure, cut, and shape your silver, and this is the moment most people realise it’s far more forgiving than they feared. Silver wants to be worked. It’s oddly satisfying.
Next comes my favourite part: the torch. Yes, you get to solder. Yes, there is fire. No, you will not burn the house down, because I’m standing right next to you the whole time.
Finally we file, sand, and polish, and your slightly rough-looking piece transforms into something that looks like it came from a shop. You’ll get to choose your finish, from mirror-bright to soft and matte.
Who books these (and why)
Many come for Jewellery Making Cardiff, but they stay for the meaning behind it. I’ve had couples make each other’s wedding bands. Friends mark a big birthday. Mothers and daughters want an afternoon that isn’t just lunch and shopping. Work teams seek something better than another escape room, but still noisy. Many people simply fancy doing something with their hands for once, instead of scrolling.
If you’re planning a hen do or a celebration, the mobile parties are especially popular. I come to you, set everyone up, and by the end of the afternoon your whole group is wearing something they made together. It beats a matching sash.
A little honesty about the wonk
Your first piece might be ever so slightly wonky. Mine certainly was. That’s not a flaw, it’s a fingerprint. Handmade means made by a human, and the tiny irregularities are exactly what make it yours rather than something stamped out by a machine by the thousand. The best shiny things have a story.
Fancy having a go?
If any of this made you smile, that’s your sign. You can see current fixed workshop dates and book your spot on the Workshops page, or if there’s nothing available there then they’re currently full up – but you can book a private workshop with me (min 2 people) and you get a discount off the fixed-workshop pricing. Just get in touch and tell me what you’re planning. So bring a friend, bring your curiosity, and I’ll bring the snacks!
