Spring is usually a very busy time for us. With lots of shows and exhibitions in the calendar, we normally divide our time between being on the road and being in the workshop. This year has of course been different but having a clearer calendar has allowed us to dedicate time to other projects instead, primarily intensive, technical training initiatives for young silversmiths.
Charlotte Tollyfield, winner of this year’s Saunders Scholarship, spent one month with us doing some intensive raising and forging practice.
Jessica at the English Wheel
Jessica with her hand raised jug & hot forged handle
For the last two months we have also hosted silversmith and winner of the South House Silver Trust Silversmithing Graduate Apprenticeship Scholarship Jessica Jue where she has worked on developing her forging technique and learned how to use our English Wheel.
The South House Silver Trust Silversmithing Graduate Apprenticeship Scholarship gives two silversmiths the opportunity to learn a variety of silversmithing skills and receive one-to-one mentorship. The scholarship is divided into two placements of intensive residential workshop experience; two months in Shetland with Rod Kelly and two months in Sheffield with Brett Payne.
“The graduate apprenticeship scheme has been incredibly helpful. It’s a very rare opportunity to spend such an intensive amount of time with a Master Silversmith. I’ve had the chance to concentrate on techniques I’ve vaguely touched upon in the last couple of years but which I can now use confidently.
I’ve particularly enjoyed experimenting with the English Wheel and forming all kinds of shapes and curves in the most unexpected ways. Using the drop hammer to bowl a spoon was also quite an exciting experience – especially the first time you hear the BANG! Although Sheffield was locked down for much of my time there, we were bubbled and I was still able to tuck into a hearty portion of fish and chips for lunch with Brett after a solid morning of forging.”