Courses we offer
3 HOUR EARRINGS TASTER
$165
NEXT CLASSES OCT 26, DECEMBER 14 + 15
GET IN TOUCH FOR GROUP CLASSES (6 MINIMUM)
Weekdays 9:30-12:30+ Saturdays 10-1
Come and experience the thrill of making your own pair of silver earrings in this fun and relaxed three-hour course. You’ll learn how to texture, saw, shape, and finish the metal, and how to make hooks or hoops to hang your earrings on. No experience is needed, the course is perfect for beginners.
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Non-precious metals such as copper and brass are included, and you’ll receive 6 grams of silver to start your project. Extra metal can be purchased on the day.
Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them!
The course requires a minimum of 4 people to run.
Suitable for ages 15 and up. Ages 12-15 can attend with a person over 18 years.
INTRODUCTION TO JEWELLERY
$400
NEXT COURSES TUESDAY OCTOBER 22, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2
20 hours over 8 weeknight evenings for 2.5 hours or 4 weekdays or Saturdays for 5.5 hours, including a 30-minute lunch break
This course will introduce you to the basics of jewellery making so you can begin to create simple pieces such as rings, earrings, or a pendant. You’ll explore a range of techniques in a fun and friendly environment right in the heart of Nelson.
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You’ll begin by making a ring, then move on to set a simple stone. There will also be time to make a pair of earrings or a simple pendant. You should come away with at least two pieces of jewellery.
Consumables such as sawblades, sandpaper and all non-precious metals such as copper and brass are included. You’ll receive 8 grams of silver to start your project, extra metal can be purchased from the workshop. Semi-precious stones are available for purchase from the tutor.
Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them!
For the full-day class, bring your lunch or pick it up from one of the many cafes close by. Tea and coffee are provided.
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run. Suitable for ages 15 and up.
LOST WAX CASTING
$345
NEXT COURSE THURSDAY SEPT 26-NOV 7 (1 place left)
This 15-hour course is designed so you can spend 10 hours designing and carving your waxes, take a break while the work is being cast in Auckland, and then come back two weeks later to finish your masterpieces.
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You’ll learn about different waxes and be shown a range of tools to use to create your projects. You’ll have 10 hours to complete 2-5 items depending on the complexity of your design, and how to prepare them for sending away to be cast. To ensure you get the most out of the class, it’s helpful if you come with some ideas in mind; there will be some examples of finished work at The Bench.
After a 2-week break, you’ll have 5 hours to file, sand, and be shown a range of ways to finish your piece/s. We’ll celebrate with a ‘show and tell’ at the end of class.
Additional costs of the course include casting fees and the cost of metal, postage is included in your course fee. A small silver ring will cost around $25- $30. You can cast your pieces into bronze or gold. Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them!
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run. Suitable for ages 15 and up.
INTRODUCTION TO STONE SETTING
$435
NEXT COURSE SATURDAY 12 + SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER
Get started with stone setting and enrich your designs with gemstones!
In this two-day, hands-on course, you will learn how to flush and star set so that you can include stones in your jewellery masterpieces. It’s a great way to develop skills and knowledge of setting and elevate your work to the next level.
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During the course, your tutor Joel Fitzwell will demonstrate two setting techniques (flush and star) and provide guidance and support as you practice your settings. You will learn measuring/marking out, drilling, seating and setting a stone, graver work, raising a grain, using beading tools, and how to work with stone pushers and burnishers.
Over the two days, students will set 2mm round cubic zirconia into a copper sheet. On day one, students will learn flush setting, and on day two, they will focus on star setting. Students can put their new skills into action by setting a blank silver charm pendant, available for purchase from The Bench at an additional cost of $50, or bring along something you’ve prepared prior to the class. The course is suitable for jewellers who are confident at the bench and working with the micromotor (pendant drill). You are asked to provide your own optiviser or head-mounted magnifier.
The course fee includes the cost of copper, stones and consumables. All tools will be provided, however, if you wish, you can purchase a set of tools to take home so you can continue your stone-setting journey ($95 to be paid on the day). Extra copper and cubic zirconia will be available for purchase.
Bring your lunch, or pick it up from one of the cafes close by. Tea and coffee are provided. Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them!
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
KIDS PENDANT NECKLACES $145
NEXT COURSE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9
This is a great introductory course for creative young people aged 9-15 years. Come and hang out at The Bench and learn how to hand make a silver, brass, or copper pendant designed by you. You’ll begin by drawing your design and learning how to cut it out using a jeweller's saw. You’ll also learn how to texture, file, sand, polish, and how to drill a hole.You can finish your necklace by stringing it up using thread, beads, and a catch. How much fun is that!
No experience is necessary, just bring yourself (and a friend!), we’ll work for 1.5 hours, take a snack break, and get back to it for another 1.5 hours. Kai will be provided (please let us know if you have allergies).
Non-precious metals such as copper and brass are included. You’ll receive 6 grams of silver to start your project, extra metal can be purchased on the day.
Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, and tie long hair back. The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
INTRODUCTION TO TOOL MAKING $235
NEXT COURSE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22
This one-day class will provide you with an introduction to the world of hand making textured punches, repousse tools and maker's marks. Taught by Nelson goldsmith Joel Fitzwell, you will learn how to anneal key steel, hand-make a textured punch or hallmark, and how to harden and temper steel to make a lifelong, lasting tool.
The step-by-step course is suitable for jewellers and craftspeople looking to take their work to the next level with the addition of unique punches and stamps. The skills learned in this class can be applied to many custom tools in your home workshop.
All tools for the class are provided on the day, students are welcome to bring their own kit, particularly if they have a favorite set of fine needle files and a piercing saw.
Flat-covered shoes are a must, and please wear comfortable clothing suitable for a workshop. If you wear glasses don’t forget to bring them, if you have an optiviser this will be helpful.
GRAVER PREP + SHARPENING $185
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Would you like to learn how to prepare graver tools and keep them sharp for precision cutting? In this 3 hour course goldsmith Joel Fitzwell will take you through the steps of shortening your graver to length, seating a handle, and accurately sharpening and finishing the tool.
The course fee includes a high-speed steel square graver, wooden handle, and graver sharpener (valued at $75) to take home. Bring your own bench stone or purchase one prior to the course, available through jewellery suppliers. If you have your own gravers bring these along to sharpen.
Wear fully closed in shoes, and don’t forget your glasses if you use them. The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
1 DAY RING TASTER
$245
NEXT CLASSES OCT 18 + 27, DECEMBER 13
GET IN TOUCH FOR GROUP CLASSES (6 MINIMUM)
Weekdays, Saturdays 9:30-3:30
In this one-day course, your tutor will guide you to design and make a textured ring. You’ll be introduced to jewellery techniques such as sawing, texturing, shaping, soldering, and finishing. This is a fun and relaxed course that is suitable for absolute beginners. Come by yourself or grab a group of friends and spend a day being creative.
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You’ll begin by making a copper ring while you explore the tools and equipment, then move on to design and make your very own ring in sterling silver. Non-precious metals are included. You’ll receive 8 grams of silver to start your project, extra metal can be purchased on the day.
Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them! Bring your lunch or pick it up from one of the many cafes close by. Tea and coffee are provided.
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run. Suitable for ages 15 and up. Ages 12-15 can attend with a person over 18 years.
OPEN STUDIO
$400
NEXT COURSE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12-DECEMBER 18
20 hours over 8 weeknight evenings or 4 weekdays or Saturdays for 5.5 hrs, including a 30-minute lunch break
Designed for a range of levels, come and work on your own projects and be guided by an experienced tutor to develop your design and jewellery-making skills. Try out some new techniques or introduce some new materials into your work in our well-equipped workshop alongside like-minded makers.
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Students must have completed the Introduction to Jewellery Making course or an equivalent.
Consumables such as sawblades, sandpaper, solder and small amounts of copper and brass are included. Silver can be purchased from the workshop. A limited range of semi-precious stones are available for purchase from the tutor.
Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them!
For the full-day class, bring your lunch or pick it up from one of the many cafes close by. Tea and coffee is provided.
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
Suitable for ages 15 and up.
ENAMELLING
$435
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE NEXT COURSE
Enamelling is an ancient process of fusing powdered glass onto the surface of metal. Run over 3 days, the course will focus on a new technique each day, including champlevé, cloisonné, and drawing with graphite pencil.
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You will learn about different enamels, how to prepare enamels and your metal for use, wet and dry applications, firing, and finishing.
We will focus on creating samples for you to use in your practice, however, you will be able to bring finished pieces to enamel during the course. These should be made of copper or silver, with findings soldered in place using hard solder. The course is suitable for both beginners and experienced makers.
The course fee includes enamels, copper and silver sample blanks, and consumables. Extra silver can be purchased at the workshop. Bring a drawing book or paper, and a pencil or pen. Bring your lunch, or pick it up from one of the cafes close by. Tea and coffee are provided. Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and remember to bring along your glasses if you wear them!
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
1 : 1 TUTORING
$100/hr with a minimum of 2 hours
If you’re a beginner and want to learn the fundamentals or already have some experience and would like some intensive learning, then 1:1 tutoring could be for you.
Please email Kay to discuss your needs at info@thebench.nz
EVENTS + GROUP CLASSES
Would you like to get a group of friends, colleagues or whānau together for a one-off jewellery experience? The Bench can design a half or full-day class for up to 8 people right in the heart of Nelson, with an option to include lunch using local produce.
Please email us to discuss your ideas and dates: info@thebench.nz
KIDS STACKER RINGS CLASS
$165
NEXT CLASS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2
This is a great introductory course for enthusiastic and creative young people aged 9-15 years. Come and hang out at The Bench and learn to make stacker rings, you’ll be surprised at the results you can achieve with the support of your tutor.
No experience is necessary, just bring yourself and your lunch and be ready to have some serious fun. You’ll be introduced to texturing, shaping, soldering and finishing, and will make at least 2 rings to show your friends and whānau. We’ll work for 2 hours, take a lunch break, and get back to it for another 2 hours. Snacks will be provided (please let us know if you have allergies).
Non-precious metals such as copper and brass are included. You’ll receive 8 grams of silver to start your project, and extra metal can be purchased on the day.
Wear fully closed-in shoes such as sneakers, and tie your hair back. The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
PEARL STRINGING $285
NEXT COURSE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24 + WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25
Would you like to learn how to string pearls, or refresh heirloom pearls that need restringing?
In this 10 hour course pearl specialist Harriet Whinney will discuss the history and use of different types of pearls, and introduce you to the tools and equipment you will need. You will learn knotted and unknotted stringing, and will take away at least one strand of pearls. These skills can be applied to pearls and other beads once you have completed the course.
You will be supplied with a stringing kit including a 45cm length of freshwater pearls, silk thread, needle, and silver clasp. You are able to purchase pearls that Harriet has personally sourced, or bring your own to restring.
Suitable for beginners, the course includes a 30 minute break for lunch, bring your own or purchase from the nearby cafes. A minimum of 6 is required to run.
Please contact us if you have any
course-related questions.
info@thebench.nz
"I had the privilege of attending Kay's jewellery classes, and I'm happy to say she is one of the best teachers I've ever had. Her patience, kindness and beauty shine through her teaching style. I appreciated her attention to detail and straightforward explanations. She never made anyone feel foolish and always encouraged questions. I'm grateful for her approach and dedication, she made me believe I can actually create beautiful pieces and established my love for jewellery making."
Marta Willis, December 2023