Tell me about it

Step into the colourful, magical world of niobium anodising, a mesmerising technique that lets you add brilliant, iridescent colour to your jewellery. Over two playful and experimental days, you’ll discover the science behind anodising before diving into hands-on making, using both niobium and titanium to explore a full spectrum of colours, patterns, and finishes.

Guided by award-winning jeweller and niobium specialist Alice Fry, you’ll learn how voltage, surface preparation and mark-making all combine to create stunning effects on metal. There will be plenty of space for experimentation, discussion and relaxed, joyful making as you work toward your own finished piece.

Whether you're curious about colour, keen to expand your technical skills, or searching for a bold new direction in your jewellery practice, this class is an inspiring way to explore a material very few makers work with.

Can I do this class?

To get the most out of this workshop, you’ll need some previous experience with metalworking. Anodising works beautifully alongside many jewellery techniques you may already know, so the more confident you are at the bench, the more freedom you’ll have to experiment. A basic understanding of piercing, filing and hammering is essential, and if you already enjoy techniques like engraving, chasing, repoussé or carving, you’re very welcome to bring your own tools and apply those skills to niobium during the class.

If you’re unsure whether this is the right level for you, just get in touch, we’re always happy to help guide you toward the class that will give you the best experience.

What happens?

Day One – Understanding the science & exploring the techniques

Your weekend begins with a lecture and illustrated presentation where Alice shares her journey into working with niobium, the science behind anodising, and how this process is used across contemporary jewellery.

You’ll then watch demonstrations of a variety of anodising techniques, including:

• Masking

• Painting

• Sponging

• Dipping

The rest of the day is yours to play, practise and test ideas. You’ll experiment on niobium offcuts and titanium samples using everything from tape and scalpels to brushes and pencils to create masked edges, soft blends, patterns and controlled marks.

Note: Titanium produces softer, less vivid colours than niobium and is used in class purely as an affordable practice material.

You can also explore additional mark-making on niobium using your own skills, such as hammer textures, roll printing, engraving, chasing or carving with a pendant drill.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll begin discussing ideas for your final piece, whether that’s earrings, a pendant, a bookmark, or something entirely unique.

Silver is not included in the class; please bring your own if you'd like to incorporate it.

Day Two:

Day Two – Designing, anodising & finishing your final piece

On day two, you’ll begin working on your main project using a 3” x 3” sheet of 0.51 mm niobium supplied for your final design.

Alice will help you refine your ideas, plan your colours, consider your techniques, and guide you step-by-step through anodising your finished piece. You’ll use everything you learned on day one to create a polished, considered design.

If you finish early and want to keep exploring, you’ll have the option to purchase additional niobium on the day.

By mid-afternoon, we’ll lay out everyone’s finished work and samples for a group discussion - a chance to share discoveries, reflect on your process, and consider how anodising could feed into your wider jewellery practice.

Do I need to bring anything?

• Bring along any design ideas, sketches or inspiration for the piece you hope to make. A sketchbook and drawing materials will also be useful throughout the workshop.

  If you'd like to use your own skills such as engraving, chasing, repoussé or punch texturing, feel free to bring the appropriate tools as we love seeing makers explore their personal techniques with niobium.

  Please also bring:

  • Money or card if you’d like to purchase extra niobium

  • Hair tied up or something to tie it with

  • No open-toed shoes

  • Minimal loose clothing for safety

Who is teaching me?

Alice Fry is an award-winning jeweller and silversmith who graduated with a First from The Glasgow School of Art before training at the prestigious Bishopsland Educational Trust. During her time there, she won The Jane Goodman Award, enabling her to continue her research into niobium with anodising specialist Brian Eburah.

Alice has exhibited internationally, including at MAD About Jewelry in New York, The Scottish Gallery, London Craft Week, and the world-renowned Goldsmiths’ Fair. She is one of a very small number of UK makers specialising in niobium anodising, and the only teacher offering niobium anodising classes for jewellery in Scotland and England.

Her teaching combines deep technical knowledge with playful exploration, creating the perfect learning environment for this vibrant, experimental material.

The details

🔨 Full weekend course
🕑 10am – 6pm daily [includes a 1-hour lunch break, 1pm – 2pm]
📅 22nd & 23rd August

We are a Community Interest Company. Every class you take helps support our mission to offer creative opportunities to people who would not normally have access to them. Thank you for helping us continue this work 💛

All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking

Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB