This workshop has now passed! If you’d like to have a go anyway, I host similar ones for the general public. You can find out more about it here!

https://www.the-metalsmith.co.uk/workshop-bookings/introduction-to-ethical-jewellery-workshop

A special day for Aja’s Patreon Members only:

Join Aja and Emily (The Metalsmith) in Winchester, Hampshire for an Introduction to Ethical Jewellery!

Jewellery is often considered one of the world’s oldest art forms; it’s had a long time to develop processes, understanding, materials but also, unfortunately, do a fair bit of damage. We’re lucky that there are some positive areas of the industry that have been running for a long time, but there are also some negative elements that have a considerable impact on the world. It’s important that we share the information, make some decisions and push for change!

The day will begin with an overview of what’s going on in the world in the context of jewellery (both making and purchasing). You'll learn about the various origins of metal, gemstones and jewellery, and gain an insight into harmful jewellery practises and things to avoid. You’ll find out more about good jewellery initiatives and the people who are saving the (jewellery) world one little bit at a time!

Part two of the session will feature a little insight into the industry: how to identify what your jewellery is made from! This section requires that you bring some of your jewellery with you - whether it's something old and broken that you don't wear any more, or something that you're just curious about. Bring it along and learn what it's made from! (I’d recommend bringing multiple things if you’ve got them.)

For the final part of the workshop, it is very important to separate what you want to keep from what you don't want any more, as the last section will see us switching up/melting some of your jewellery down and turning it into something new (and simple)! If you don’t have anything to adapt, let me know in advance and I’ll source some scrap!

*As we’ve potentially got quite a big group, we’re going to keep things simple in terms of what we’re making: most likely things with just one join, in order to make sure everyone finishes something. However, we should have time to talk to everyone about other options - what could be made with the rest of the jewellery, whether it be in a workshop or you commission someone to make it!

(Even though we’re keeping it simple in terms of process, there are so many things that we can do!) 

10am-4pm.

Date: Sunday 11th May.

At: The Colour Factory, Winchester.

Capacity is 10.

Please bring a packed lunch!

There is parking out front of the studio (free on Sundays!); the nearest bus stop is a 5 minute walk and the train station is a 5-10 minute walk.

(Regrettably, at present the larger studio space is not yet wheelchair friendly.)

Please get in touch if you’ve got any questions about the workshop!

Attached are some pictures of the sorts of things that we can do. We will be working in silver, yellow gold or a mixture of the two, depending on what you’d prefer.

Please note that I don’t keep a stock of gold chains, but I can special order.

*If you don’t have any of your own jewellery and you need some scrap to work with, please let me know in advance. Silver is no additional charge but 9ct yellow gold will have an additional charge per gram. (We won’t need much though!)