Creative Self-development Courses

Part of our commitment to life-long learning, these classes enable you to explore your particular interest and build on existing skills. The focus is on learning through creative practice – for its own sake and without the constraints of studying for an award.

No formal qualifications are required but you should be motivated and demonstrate an interest in the subject you wish to pursue. While largely for adults of all ages with some experience, there are a few opportunities for beginners.

 

Creative Self-development courses at the School of Jewellery

Creative Self-development: Hand Engraving

BIAD Site: Vittoria Street
Course Duration: Part-time, various
Application: Direct to School of Jewellery (Vittoria Street)
Attendance: Half a day per week

This course aims at teaching you the skills of hand engraving currently used in the jewellery and silversmithing industry. This will include lettering, ornamental engraving, heraldry and other aspects of surface decoration.

You will be encouraged to evaluate, through drawing, the aesthetic qualities of your design prior to engraving. You will also be introduced to the tools necessary to commence this course and are expected to purchase them from a recommended list.

Creative Self-development: Jewellery

BIAD Site: Vittoria Street
Course Duration: Part-time, various
Application: Direct to School of Jewellery (Vittoria Street)
Attendance: One full or half day and/or one evening per week

The course aims to provide you with specific education through the acquisition of skill, knowledge and understanding if you already work or are aiming to work in the jewellery industry and allied trades.

The aspects of jewellery manufacture covered will include hand and quantity production techniques, the making of pieces of jewellery to your own design, utilising gemstones of your choice, and surface treatments such as polishing, reticulation and oxidising.

Creative Self-development: Silversmithing

BIAD Site: Vittoria Street
Course Duration: Part-time, various
Application: Direct to School of Jewellery (Vittoria Street)
Attendance: One full or half day and/or one evening per week

The course is ideal if you are interested in metal working, whether at a beginner or more advanced level.

You will be introduced to hand production techniques such as forming, planishing, filing and soldering. These and other core skills will progressively build your confidence towards the production of simple yet visually attractive pieces of silversmithing such as: vessels, containers, cutlery and items of tableware.

You will be encouraged to aesthetically evaluate your initial design ideas towards a final outcome.

Creative Self-development: Stone Setting

BIAD Site: Vittoria Street
Course Duration: Part-time, various
Application: Direct to School of Jewellery (Vittoria Street)
Attendance: One full or half day and/or one evening per week

The classes will teach you stone setting techniques that are currently used in the jewellery industry, such as claw, grain and pave settings, channel, tension and burnished settings. For this purpose cast mounts of rings, pendants etc, and a selection of stones are available at cost price.

Creative Self-development: Enamelling

BIAD Site: Vittoria Street
Course Duration: Part-time, various
Application: Direct to School of Jewellery (Vittoria Street)
Attendance: One full or half day per week

This course is ideal if you are interested in vitreous enamel, whether at a beginner or more advanced level.

Beginners will be introduced to the properties and techniques of enamel through a range of set projects. Knowledge of basic jewellery skills is helpful, but not essential. Initial projects involve working with copper, leading on to work with silver when using particular techniques.

If you have enamelling experience you are encouraged to develop your skills further by producing samples and experimental work as well as completing finished pieces to a professional standard using your own or set projects.

 

Creative Self-development courses at the School of Art, Bournville

Creative Self-development: Art Club

BIAD Site: School of Art, Bournville
Mode of study: Part-time, daytime
Application: Direct to School of Art, Bournville

Emphasis is on the enjoyment of developing as an artist in the company of others. Expert tuition and guidance is available and there is the opportunity to explore media other than painting. You will be encouraged to discuss your work with other students and participate in exhibitions. You will need to have taken a Foundation Art & Design course, or equivalent, before joining the Art Club.

Creative Self-development: Life Drawing

BIAD Site: School of Art, Bournville
Mode of study: Part-time, evening
Application: Direct to School of Art, Bournville

Instruction is provided in a wide variety of media within the classic traditions of drawing the human figure from life. Reference is made to the work of many artists and you will be encouraged to discuss and try different approaches. Expert
tuition and guidance is provided, and you will have the opportunity to share your ideas with other enthusiasts.

Creative Self-development: Creative Craft Ceramics

BIAD Site: School of Art, Bournville
Mode of study: Part-time, daytime & evening
Application: Direct to School of Art, Bournville

The courses are for beginners as well as more experienced ceramicists and offer the opportunity to learn skills in traditional throwing and hand building, and also glazing and firing. There are opportunities to work both traditionally and in creative sculptural ways.

The courses are tutored by practising experienced ceramicists and access high-quality facilities for throwing, making, glazing and firing. The courses are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during term times and offer an informal learning environment in which to develop at your own pace.