Courses we offer
3 HOUR EARRINGS TASTER
$165
SUN JULY 20 | FRI AUG 15 | SUN SEPT 28
Weekdays 9:30-12:30, Weekends 10:00-1:00
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
$395
TUESDAY JULY 15-SEPT 2 | SATURDAY AUGUST 2-23
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
MAY 15-JUNE 26 | AUG 4 - SEPT 15 | NOV 3-DEC 15
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. Note there is no class on June 12.
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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
SATURDAY 14 + SUNDAY 15 JUNE
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.
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During the course, your tutor will demonstrate two setting techniques 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.
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 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).
Wear fully closed in shoes such as sneakers, tie long hair back, and bring along your glasses if you wear them!
The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run.
KIDS CHARM NECKLACE $145
TUESDAY JULY 8
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.
1 DAY RING TASTER
$245
FRI JUNE 27 | SAT JULY 19 | FRI AUG 15 | SUN SEPT 28
Weekdays 9:30-3:00, Weekends 10:00-3:30
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!
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.
INTERMEDIATE JEWELLERY MAKING
$395
THUR JULY 17 - SEPT 4 | SAT SEPT 6-27
20 hours over 8 weeknight evenings or 4 weekdays or Saturdays for 5.5 hrs, including a 30-minute lunch break
This course is ideal for those who have completed the Introduction to Jewellery Making course or an equivalent. Each term brings fresh, tailored learning, shaped by the interests of participants. Typical skills covered include findings, riveting, sweat soldering, chain making, and more.
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.
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Non-precious metals are included in the fees, silver and a limited range of semi-precious stones can be purchased from the workshop.
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.
ENAMELLING
$345
SATURDAY JUNE 21 + SUNDAY JUNE 22
Enamelling is an ancient process of fusing powdered glass onto the surface of metal. Run over 2 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.
AFTER SCHOOL JEWELLERY FOR TEENS
$285
MONDAY JULY 14 - SEPTEMBER 1, 4:00-6:00pm
Join this 8 week after school class to learn the fundamentals of jewellery making, from traditional silversmithing to working with found and recycled materials.
From ring and brooch making to lost wax casting, you’ll learn how to use a range of tools and techniques to design wearable pieces of jewellery that creatively express who you are.
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You’ll receive up to 5 grams of silver for a ring project, with all other materials including one small casting included in the course fee. Extra silver is available to be purchased. A healthy snack will be supplied each week.
Suitable for creative teens 13-18 years.
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.
Or bring a significant other make bespoke rings to celebrate a memory or moment - wedding/civil union, mother/daughter, anniversary, engagement, commitment, father/son …..
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 - a birthday, anniversary, weekend get together in Whakatū? The Bench can design a bespoke half day or full-day class for up to 8 people. Suitable for ages 9 to 109. The Bench is 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
TUESDAY JULY 1
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.
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