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Itinerary for Silver Jewellery-Making Workshop
Workshop Leaders: Catherine Mannheim and Akanksha Arora
Venue: Amrapali Jewellery Factory
Introduction, 4.30 - 6pm: Welcome Tea on the Diggi Palace Lawn
Day 1, 10 - 1pm: There will be an introduction by Catherine and Akanksha Arora of Amrapali, who will give you a tour of the workshops, explaining the processes. There will be a discussion on the tools and materials to be used, and a selection of sample pieces will be on display to inspire you. You will be ale to make a chain necklace or bracelets, earrings or a pendant incorporating semi-precious stone beads. You can select beads or stones that you would like to use during the week, and then experiment with shapes using paper or base metals before starting with precious materials.
Day 2, 10 - 4pm: Back at the workshop, there will be demonstrations of the different techniques used in forming metal and hammering textures and shapes, then drilling and punching holes and filing the edges, using a variety of pliers,shears and stamps. You will begin work on your chosen piece of jewellery and start with a series of textured silver shapes. Catherine will help you plan your work and guide through the processes.
Day 3, 10 - 4pm:You will continue working on your piece and be shown linking techniques and ways to join the separate elements with semi-precious beads and fine silver wire. At this stage you will be able to see how the final shape is developing and depending on your progress, you can start a small ring or simple earrings in order to learn more. Then you will be shown how to finish your jewellery with a variety of cutting, polishing and matting techniques.
Day 4, free: Kite Festival Holiday
Day 5, 10 - 1pm: An introductionby Catherine into the simple setting of stones, with a few examples of stone set jewellery. During the week, there may be the possibility of visiting other workshops to see traditional Kundan work and the polishing and setting of precious stones
Day 6, 10 - 1pm: The opportunity to finish off your special pieces and assemble them for a small exhibition for all the Workshops participants at Diggi Palace
Please note: that shopping in the bazaar is not included in your workshops fee and you will be reasonably charged for the silver that you use, Whilst everything will be done to ensure your safety during the course of these workshops, you undertake to participate at your own risk
Catherine Mannheim is at the forefront of British jewellers and is famous for her distinctive use of coloured golds combined with fine gemstones and beads. Her innovative work is in the collections of the Crafts Council, the Victoria & Albert Museum and she is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the City of London www.catherinemannheim.com
Amrapali was founded in order to revive the the magnificent art of jewellery making in India before this ancient knowledge was lost. Enlisting the help of master-craftsmen, silver and goldsmiths around Jaipur and rural Rajasthan, who were otherwise deprived of using their skills. Amrapali developed their unique style that combines elements of ethnic Indian design and traditional methods of jewellery making.