Jewellery workshop

Don't just buy your jewellery, design and create it yourself, or treat someone to a workshop as a present with a gift voucher. The jewellery workshops range from one day, weekend and six week courses and cater to beginners and more advanced students. Topics covered may be ring and bangle making, chain fabrication or more advanced projects such as stone settings and etched and enamelled pieces.

Class size is small so students can follow projects of their own choosing if they wish and all students get the chance to discuss thoroughly their ideas.

New Jewellery Course Blog for Students

Click here for pictures of students work and students at work!  

Wedding ring workshop weekends

Design and make your own wedding rings! A special experience with individual tuition and sole use of the workshop. An initial meeting takes place to discuss requirements before the workshops and the day is spent forming, soldering, filing, cleaning and the polishing of your uniquel rings. Come as a couple or one partner could make a pair of rings.

"Working with Laila to create our wedding rings was a great experience. I love the idea that the rings we have made are unique and it adds something extra special to the experience of getting married. I am now so addicted to making jewellery that I am going to weekly lessons with Laila, making all presents for the bridesmaids too!!!!!"

Links to other wedding services

Phocus-images - Wonderful and informal “reportage” style wedding photography!

Bunting Boutique - Gorgeous handmade bunting - the perfect finishing touch for your wedding, party, or other special occasion.!

Tutor: Laila Smith

Laila is an experienced jeweller and has run her own studio for more than 13 years. She trained at Manchester Metropolitan University in Crafts and has 10 years teaching experience.

Education and professional qualifications

1997-present Association of Contemporary Jewellery member.
1996-97 Fellow - Taylor Burgess Business Design Fellowship.
1996-97 Cambridge Business Skills Certificate- 'Running a Small Business'
1993-96 BA(Hons)Crafts 2:1 - Manchester Metropolitan University.
1992-93 Part time Foundation (3-D) - Hastings College Art and Design.
1990-91 Foundation (Textiles) - Northbrook College Design and Technology.

Books

You can see the jewellery of Laila in the following books:
"Non-precious Jewellery: Methods and Techniques" (Design and Make) by Kathie Murphy 2009
"Jewellery Using Textiles Techniques: Methods and Techniques" (Design and Make) by Sarah Keay 2009
"Jewellers Directory"ACJ 2006

Exhibitions and coverage

2008 Contemporary Craft To Go - Hove Museum
2004-2005 First Site Showcase - Hove Museum and Art Gallery
2003-4 Brighton Festival Open Houses
2002 'Making It' - past and recent graduates of MMU - Potteries Museum, Stoke
2002 'Flavour of the Month' - August. J@M - Eton Applied Arts
2001-02 ';Snow White' Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland Isles.
2001-02 'Rare Finds' New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham.
2001 'Those that can...' Exhibition of work by lecturers from Hastings College. Marina Gallery, St. Leonards-on-Sea.
2001 Summer Exhibition. Parade Mews Studios, London.
1998-99 'Lavish' Christmas Show. Pheonix Gallery, Brighton.
1998 Brighton Festival 'Open House Exhibitions.
1997 ';Seriously Silver' Showcase feature in Retail Jeweller.
1997-98 Debut Design Member. Variety of trade events in Birmingham and London.
1996 Commissioned to produce range of jewellery for Channel 4 production 'Dressing for Breakfast'.