Jewellery Making: Sand Casting

Explore how the jewellery-making technique of sand casting can produce truly distinctive results. Using two-part moulds and found objects, this course takes a contemporary approach to this ancient technique, encouraging experimentation alongside technical skill development.

A sustainable ethos runs throughout the course, with opportunities to repurpose materials from previous projects. You'll also have the chance to incorporate additional materials into your final piece, bringing your own creative vision to life.

You will be taught in specialist art and design studios and through practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection.

Any recommended reading will be advised by the course teacher once the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection.

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Create a two-part mould from a found object and develop the practical skills to melt and pour metal using a hearth and crucible, producing a small-scale sand cast piece ready for finishing
• Apply design skills and creative confidence in incorporating sand cast elements into a resolved piece of contemporary jewellery, exploring how casting techniques can inform and enhance the final outcome
• Demonstrate transferable skills in creative thinking, problem solving, manual dexterity, and design development, alongside the ability to critically evaluate your own work and respond constructively to feedback. 

This course is for learners with previous experience in jewellery- making who are looking to develop skills in sand casting.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

Some previous jewellery-making experience or completion of an introductory jewellery course is required.

This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and enthusiasm for creative exploration. This hands-on course requires no formal background in art or design.

There is no recommended reading with this course; however, your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.