Why did you open a jewellery school?

I often get asked why did you open a jewellery school? I usually respond with because I love teaching and I also really love learning so it just made sense. More space for tools and great excuses to aquire them. But, of course, it is alot more than that….

When I opened the jewellery school it was initally in response to the closure of the college courses I was teaching. Post Brexit, most arts funding pots disappeared and then Covid19 hit so Visual and Performing Arts provison simply dried up. Turns out it is so expensive to run a metals studio I now know! They had already lost ceramics, glass, wood, sculpture, art, etc years before they pulled the plug. Suddenly my regular weekly term time students no longer had an outlet for creativity. I told myself didn’t really want to deal with admin, insurance and legality of a school as that is a ball of stuff I am not excited about. But my students just kept perstering me to find a place and a way as they were very keen to continue. So after alot of soul searching I took a big gulp and did it. I moved to a larger space and opened a school. I became a limited company. I took on alot more than i really wanted to but it has been so worth it. Seeing my students skip out of the room with a smile after a good class is magic.

Over all my years as a goldsmith I have continually invested in learning with experts in thier field. I invest alot in CPD as it keeps me stimulated, fresh and open to new ideas. This usually means expensive travel and accomodation costs to a big city plus course fees and time off the bench. I have trained at Alan Revere, GIA Carlsbad, Mendicino Art Centre, Pocoscin Arts Centre, Goldsmiths Centre London, Birmingham and Gemmology Rocks in addition to my formal training at University and work in the industry. I have also formally trained in teaching and have taken various courses in communiation and coaching.

So thinking the North needed more opportunites I began to invite the guest tutors I admired to come “UP NORTH” out of London and Birmingham and further afield to teach here. It makes alot of sense as there are few places in the North West to learn specialist or trade techniques for a budding jeweller or established goldsmith. The school location offers lower travel expenses and accomodation costs, it is a short walk from the train station and is close proximity to the Lake District and Morecambe Bay. Anyone from Sheffield, Manchester or Liverpool can come for the day and get home for tea and thier own bed. I have had many students come from the USA and EU and they have made a holiday out of it. Partners, kids and dogs really seems to love it here. It is a nice spot.

The studio and school is in the heart of Lancaster in the historic Glassworks building near the river Lune. We have 9 fully equipted student benches with 1 teaching bench and a huge range of tools used for most techiniques. We have welcomed over a dozen expert tutors so far to offer learning opportunites and we have many more this year scheduled in so have a look at courses on offer.

Recently Lancaster was named Best Small City Break by Which magazine. It has a huge range of things to do and offer. We have great beaches, rivers, wetlands and forest walks. Morcambe bay is a bird lovers paradise on a major migratory path. The city itself has beautiful buildings, theatres and restaurants. Even if you never step foot in the studio you must come check out what Lancaster has on offer.

2024 guest tutors

Peter Keep of JTS- Setting & Fabrication

Stephen M Goldsmith - Polishing Guru

Kerry Gregory - Gemmology

Paul Jackson - 3D Design

Sanni Falkenberg - Gemstone Carving

Stuart Pool - Intro to Gemmology

Freefrom Fabrications - Laser Welding