This four-week advanced jewellery skills workshop focuses on the design and making of precision hinges for jewellers, silversmiths and small-workers. Hinges are a fundamental yet often overlooked construction skill, used across jewellery and silversmithing in pieces such as lockets, bracelets, clasps, boxes and articulated forms.

Rather than producing a finished piece of jewellery, this workshop is about understanding hinge construction in depth and developing the technical confidence to incorporate hinges into your own designs and practice. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on making, you’ll explore accuracy, alignment and durability - all essential to professional jewellery construction.

Materials are not included.

What will I make?

You will explore a range of hinge samples rather than a completed jewellery piece. These samples will include different hinge constructions and variations, allowing you to test proportions, tolerances and movement.

The emphasis is on experimentation, precision and problem-solving, giving you a reference set of working hinges that can be adapted for use in your own jewellery, whether for lockets, bracelets, clasps or other articulated forms.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to design, fabricate and refine functional hinges suitable for jewellery scale work. Key learning outcomes include:

• Understanding different types of hinge construction and when to use them

• Accurate measuring, marking out and drilling for hinge components

• Producing clean, aligned hinge knuckles

• Controlling fit, movement and durability

• Troubleshooting common hinge issues

• Applying hinge techniques to jewellery designs such as lockets, bracelets and clasps

This workshop is about building transferable skills that can be applied directly to your own work.

What will happen during the workshop?

Each session combines technical demonstrations with supported bench time. Pete will demonstrate processes step-by-step, followed by time for you to practise, test and refine your own hinge samples.

Across the four weeks, techniques will build progressively, allowing you to revisit and improve earlier work as your understanding develops. There will be opportunities for discussion, feedback and troubleshooting, supporting you to work with greater precision and confidence.

What skills do I need?

Intermediate & Advanced: For those who have some prior knowledge on the subject or have relevant skills. Ideal for makers looking to up skill and advance their practice.

What should I bring?

• Reading glasses (if you need them!) 


• Notebook and pen (to take notes)


• Apron to protect clothes


• Materials specified by the teacher for each week. 

What should I wear? 

Clothes: Casual and not too precious as they may get a bit dusty or damaged.  Avoid long, loose fitting sleeves and anything that might catch or get caught whilst you are working.

Shoes: Casual flat shoes and no open toed sandals in case you drop a tool or something hot on them!

Hair: Tie long hair back.

Who is my teacher?

This workshop is led by Pete Musson, a specialist silversmith and highly experienced educator with over 20 years’ experience teaching jewellery and metal at the Royal College of Art.

Pete has lectured and delivered masterclasses internationally, including at Musashino Art University, Hanyang University, Bishopsland Educational Trust and Glasgow School of Art.

Known for his expertise in silversmithing and technical innovation, Pete combines deep practical knowledge with thoughtful mentorship, supporting jewellers to develop precision, confidence and a strong understanding of contemporary jewellery construction.

How do I get there? 

Please Note this workshop is in new premises two minutes from FORGE: 2nd Floor, 31 Hatton, EC1N 8DH.  When you arrive, press the buzzer and we will let you into the building, then make your way up the stairs to the 2nd floor. (There is sadly no lift). 

See contact page for details on public transport and parking.

How do I book?

To book your workshop, simply add the number of spaces you'd like and click Add to Cart, then click on the basket icon in the top right corner to proceed to checkout.

Discount codes can be applied at checkout. 

PLEASE PROVIDE BOTH EMAIL & PHONE NUMBER

Please remember to provide your email address and phone number. We use this information only to confirm your booking, share details about the day, and contact you if any issues arise. Your contact details will not be used for marketing purposes unless you choose to opt in by ticking the box to receive updates from us.

Materials Disclaimer

Please note: Workshop material costs are based on metal prices at the time of organising each session. Due to continual fluctuations in precious metal markets, there may be a small increase in the price of materials. If this occurs, we will contact you prior to the workshop to confirm the difference, which can be settled on the day by card

Accessibility

This workshop is on the second floor of our new site which is a listed building and unfortunately does not have a lift. 

If you have any access requirements, please contact us before booking so we can advise and discuss suitability and anything we can do to help accommodate you.