Silversmith

[handcrafted]

Are there any silversmiths on here? Is it the sort of thing that takes a long time to learn? Do you need to do the degree?

[Jangle]

Hi There

I asked the same question to my teacher at night school and she said as long as you know all the techniques inside out then you dont need a degree as long as you are arty and capable

[handcrafted]

Hmm, so how do you learn? I was looking at HNDs and the nearest to me is Glasgow. Im in Edinburgh. Also i wont get any funding as iv done a HND and a degree already.

[Jangle]

I went to night school at the local college and learned everything I needed to know. Where are you based?

[handcrafted]

West of Edinburgh. Iv been looking around but just cant seem to find any evening courses. Maybe im lookin in the wrong place!

[ShinySilver]

Jangle's right, you don't need a 'proper' qualification but it's not the type of craft you can learn from a book. I learnt by going to night classes but I don't know how widely available they are.

Might be worth trying your local adult education centre? I would imagine a big city like Edinburgh would have a few on offer.

Hope you can find somewhere and hope you enjoy it. It's one of those crafts you can never really master so it's always an ongoing learning -and mistake making! - process!

Michelle

[handcrafted]

Now that you have learned about it what do you do with it? As in is it now your main job? Is it still a hobby?

There is a place in Edinburgh that i found but it only does a weekend course and its in October! There must be more. Iv found edinburgh college of art does the degree lol.

[ShinySilver]

No, it's not my main job although I am hoping it will be. I'm trying to build up enough pieces that I feel confident enough to try and sell some, hopefully to some craft shops. I know some of my tutor's other students have done this although I'm not sure they'd call it their main job.

I'm surprised Edinburgh hasn't more in the way of evening classes in it but I guess it's still a bit 'niche' and perhaps isn't as widespread as it sometimes seems. My tutor seems to do pretty much all the silversmithing classes in Kent and even into Sussex! So I guess if it wasn't for him they might not have classes down here either.
But do keep looking and I hope you find somewhere!

[handcrafted]

Iv found one evening class at Leith Academy but the next one isnt until september. So i will enrol in that when i can. They only seem to do courses over winter! Also the only diploma iv seen in Glasgow.

[ShinySilver]

Things do seem to get quiet over the summer, except for the odd summer school. It all seems to start up again come September/October. My evening class is nearing its end for this year already! Hope the one at Leith is a good 'un and gets you on the right track.

[Rachie]

I went to night school to learn so you don't need a degree. It's taught me lots of techniques I can use and i've only been doing it for two years. Have made a few pieces and sold them but only as 'white metal' because you can't sell sterling silver as sterling silver unless it has been tested by an assay office and stamped (you need a makers mark to do this).

It's not always easy but very rewarding and highly enjoyable. Good luck with finding somewhere to help you learn.

[ShinySilver]

Oddly enough, if I understand it right, if the silver item you're selling weighs under a certain amount (I think it is 7.78 grams) then it can be sold as sterling silver because items under that weight don't have to be hallmarked to be classified as sterling silver. But I think you're right to be careful about it!

[chris-boland]

silversmithing is a realy nice thing to get in to. however, the set up cost are scary, if youre raising (hammer forming bowls) then you'll need min of £1000 to set up plus the way the price of silver's going... but buy all accounts the school at glasgow is fantastic. i studied at sheffield and thats even better (but i would say that) but its a bit far! i dont think its somthing you can book learn though, you just have to have a go.

[SNOWF1975]

West of Edinburgh. Iv been looking around but just cant seem to find any evening courses. Maybe im lookin in the wrong place!

Handcrafted - did you find a course near you? Im the same. Looking for an evening or a few hours a week in or around the Glasgow area. Im really stuggling !

[handcrafted]

Look on the other thread SNOWF! The other silversmith one!