Tell me about it

LEVEL SIX?! Look at you go! 🔥

You've come a long way since your first silver ring, haven't you? Well, we're delighted to welcome you back to the bench for Level Six Jewellery Making, our eight-week course at Vanilla Ink CIC in Glasgow.

And yes, we're sticking with our winning formula! Four weeks learning exciting new techniques. Four weeks putting those skills to work on your own designs.

This time, we're exploring some particularly interesting processes, including wax granulation, scoring and folding, inlaying, fusing and claw setting cabochon gemstones. You'll be working with greater precision, tackling more complex construction methods and discovering new ways to bring your jewellery designs to life.

Then, during the final four weeks, the workshop is yours to explore. Develop your own ideas, revisit a technique you've particularly enjoyed or finally tackle that ambitious project you've been thinking about. Our tutors will be on hand to offer advice, demonstrations and the occasional rescue mission when things don't quite go to plan!

Four weeks of learning. Four weeks of creating. Eight weeks of possibilities. And after six levels, we reckon you've earned the right to get a little adventurous.

Can I do this class?

If you've made it through Level Five, we'd love to see you back! Level Six is designed for experienced jewellery makers who are confident with traditional bench techniques and ready to develop more advanced skills.

Ideally, you'll have completed our Level Five Jewellery Making Course, but equivalent experience gained elsewhere is absolutely welcome. You should already be comfortable with sawing, filing, soldering, forming, finishing and constructing your own jewellery.

You'll also benefit from some experience of stone setting and more complex jewellery-making processes, although we'll introduce the specific techniques covered in this course. This isn't a beginners' class, but you certainly don't need to be a professional jeweller.

Not sure whether you're ready for Level Six? Get in touch and we'll happily have a chat.

What happens?

As with our other Weekly Courses, Level Six is divided into two parts. The first four weeks introduce new techniques through guided practical sessions. The final four weeks give you the opportunity to develop your own jewellery projects with tutor support.

Weeks 1–4: Develop Your Skills

Four weeks. Four new challenges.

Week One: Granulation Wax Ring

Let's start with something a little different!

Explore how wax can be used to create jewellery designs featuring decorative granulation effects. You'll develop a ring design using wax-working techniques, learning how small details and carefully arranged forms can create texture, pattern and visual interest. It's a great opportunity to explore a different approach to creating detailed jewellery designs for casting.

Week Two: Scored & Folded Brooch with Fittings

Who says metal needs to be curved to become three-dimensional?

Scoring and folding is a fantastic technique for creating crisp angles, geometric forms and structured designs from sheet metal. You'll learn how to score metal accurately before folding it into shape, exploring how precise preparation can transform a flat sheet into something far more architectural. You'll also look at constructing and attaching suitable brooch fittings, bringing together form, function and careful construction.

Week Three: Inlaying & Fusing

Time to explore the finer details!

This session introduces two fascinating ways of combining and decorating metal. You'll explore inlaying, where material is incorporated into a prepared surface to create contrasting details, alongside fusing, where metal can be joined using heat without conventional solder. Both techniques offer exciting possibilities for introducing texture, pattern and distinctive decorative effects into your jewellery.

Week Four: Round Cabochon Claw Setting

Let's give those stone-setting skills another workout!

You'll explore how to construct and use a claw setting for a round cabochon gemstone. Unlike traditional bezel setting, where a continuous wall of metal surrounds the stone, claw setting uses individual claws to hold the gemstone securely. You'll focus on accurate construction, preparing the setting and carefully securing the stone while achieving a clean, professional finish. It's a brilliant opportunity to develop your precision and expand your stone-setting skills.

Weeks 5–8: Make It Your Own

Right, you've learned the techniques. Now what are you going to make?

The final four weeks are dedicated to developing your own jewellery designs and projects.

Perhaps you'd like to incorporate scoring and folding into a bold geometric piece, experiment further with wax granulation or create something that combines several techniques you've learned throughout your time at Vanilla Ink.

Whatever you're planning, we'll help you work through the practical challenges and bring your ideas to life. By the end of Level Six, you'll have added four more techniques to your repertoire and spent valuable time developing your own creative practice.

And we'll be delighted to see what you come up with!

What do I need to bring?

We'll email you our Level Six Course Manual before your first session, so please bring a digital or printed copy. A sketchbook or notebook for taking notes, recording techniques and developing designs is also useful.

All tools, equipment and materials are provided for the first four weeks. During the final four weeks, you'll be working on your own projects, so additional materials may be required depending on what you choose to make. We'll help you plan your designs and source everything you need.

Everyone will have their own fully equipped jeweller's bench, with access to our studio tools and equipment throughout the course. Please tie back long hair, avoid open-toed shoes and keep loose-fitting clothing to a minimum.

And if you need glasses or magnification for close-up work, remember to bring them. Especially for that claw setting!

The details

🔨 Eight-week Weekly Course
🕑 Evening session only [6pm – 9pm every Tuesday]
📅 14th September - 9th November 2027

At Vanilla Ink, we believe learning jewellery making is a journey, and there's always something new to discover. Our Weekly Courses give you the opportunity to build your skills gradually, develop your confidence and explore your creativity in a welcoming, supportive workshop.

With experienced tutors, fully equipped benches and dedicated time to work on your own designs, we'll help you progress from learning the fundamentals to creating jewellery that's entirely your own.

We're also a Community Interest Company, which means every class you book helps us deliver creative programmes supporting people experiencing disadvantage, isolation and barriers to opportunity. So while you're developing your own skills, you're helping someone else discover theirs.

Educate. Inspire. Empower. That's what we're all about.

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