PEBBLE-TO-PENDANT ADVANCED COURSE
at
The Cheshire Lapidary Workshop
Here it is! The only course of it’s kind in the UK.
This jewellery making course is designed for those who have attended the beginners ‘pebble-to-pendant’ course OR the beginners lapidary course. At the moment this course is only run as a one-to-one workshop.
This is your chance to transform your own, possibly even hand collected material into something so personal that there will never be another like it! With expert guidance, by the end of the day you will be leaving with your very own treasure; cut, polished and set into a handmade silver setting!
About the Course.
As before, the course runs from 10.00am until 4.00pm with a half hour break for lunch. I’ll remind you of all the safety aspects first and then you’ll be given safety goggles and an apron. If you need glasses or magnifiers, don’t forget to bring them with you. (I have spare magnifiers for close up work should you need them.)
We are going to start the day with a caffeine laced beverage (or decaffeinated if you prefer!) whilst we take a look at the material you have brought with you to work on. This can be anything from a beach pebble to precious raw opal! If you have a few pieces, bring it all with you and together we can choose the most suitable piece for you to cut and polish.
We’ll be having a lunch break at about 12.30pm so bring a packed lunch. I’ll be providing you with plenty of drinks so no need to bring a flask.
Now you have your beautifully sculpted cabochon, it’s time to take on the challenging silversmithing skills!
You will be shown how to build your bezel (the band of silver that surrounds the stone) and how to solder it shut.
You will then be shown how to solder your newly formed bezel onto a back plate of silver. If you have already attended the beginners ‘pebble-to-pendant’ course, we may even be able to add a few extra embellishments at this stage.
The back plate is then filed and sanded smooth on the edges and a ring is added to suspend your pendant on an adjustable length cord.
It’s then time to set your stone and give everything a final polish or texture.
And there you have it, the most unique and personal piece of jewellery you will ever own (or give away!)
We are easy to find, based in Beeston, Cheshire. We have good parking and are wheelchair accessible. We do have cats and dogs, so allergy sufferers need to bear this in mind. The animals are not allowed in the workshop and can be kept away for those who are not keen on them, just let us know. (They’ll be heart broken but they’ll get over it!)
For those coming by train, we can collect you from the train stations at Crewe or Chester and return you at the end of the day.
Prices:
One person £295.00
Two people £540.00
(£40 deposit secures your place with the balance of the payment taken on the day)
FAQ’s
Do I need to be artistic?
No. With expert guidance everyone who attends will be able to cut their own, jewellery grade gemstone cabochon and create a beautiful silver set pendant.
Is it dangerous?
You will be shown how to use all the equipment safely. When guidelines are followed it’s perfectly safe. However, due the nature of the equipment the course is only available to those over 16 years.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes, definitely! The courses are designed for either one person alone or two people together. With such a well equipped workshop, you will both be using different machines simultaneously meaning no waiting around.
Are you wheelchair accessible?
Yes. We can accommodate one or two wheelchair users together and we have good parking. Please contact us with your specific requirements and we’ll do our best to adjust the positioning of our equipment to suit. Please note we have a wheelchair accessible WC.
Do I need to bring anything?
Yes, a packed lunch. Everything else is provided. You will have a huge selection of rock material to choose from and tea, coffee and snacks will be available all day.
What if I live too far away?
There are very few places in the country where you can learn how to cut a stone, so if you find you are having to travel a long way, why not make a holiday of it?
We are situated near the City of Chester where there is so much to see. The Roman amphitheatre and museum are both worth a visit, not to mention the impressive city walls that take you on a tour around the whole of Chester centre, ending right back where you started.
The famous Chester Zoo is also nearby where you can discover animals that you never even knew existed!
This Zoo specialises in endangered species and runs many essential breeding programs that help boost world populations.
We want you to have another great experience with us, so if there’s anything else you’d like to know, please, don’t hesitate to ask!