I’ve just received an invitation to teach two workshops at the The Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre( JIIC ), which is part of The Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery.http://www.jewellery-innovation.co.uk/ I’ll be teaching two 5-day Short Courses (British for “workshop” is “Short Course”). I’m excited! I taught a hydraulic press short course/workshop in 2005 and really enjoyed it.
At many schools that I have visited, the metals department is in the basement of the building, or in a tiny, dark area. In contrast, the school in Birmingham has its own new building, which is a large, light-filled contemporary building, with an atrium in the middle, and beautiful gallery. There are THIRTEEN studios! It is really a wonderful place. They have FOUR Bonny Doon presses! However, guess where they are—-yup, you guessed it: in the basement. It is a very nice basement, however!
Cooksons is across the street, and other suppliers are nearby as well. Not far away is an intriguing museum—a jewelry manufacturer that has been preserved as it was when it closed decades ago.
I look forward to exploring more of Birmingham, which is a city in the process of changing. When I visited in 2005, I enjoyed walking along the canal every day from my motel to the school. The canal is landscaped, with interesting signs about its history. I liked watching a lock being opened for a boat to pass through. The canal is a lively area for nightlife, with nice cafes and restaurants.
I hope to meet some Orchidians in England next summer! The Microfolding/Corrugation workshop will be July 27-31, 2009. The Hydraulic Press workshop will be August 3-7, 2009.
Cynthia
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Helen Hill 11.06.08 at 6:24 am
Hi Cynthia, Is your course just open to the University students or can anyone book onto it? Your post struck a real chord with me, both from the point of view of a fellow Orchidian coming over to the UK and the fact that you will be teaching in my town of birth. I was raised in Birmingham so have a great fondness for it. It would be great to meet you!
Helen Hill
ceid 11.06.08 at 7:04 pm
Hi Helen,
The Short Courses are open to all. The only qualifications necessary are basic saw/solder/file skills. These courses are such that people of all levels can learn and grow together—from the beginner to the professional. (Sometimes, a beginner is the one who makes the most amazing “mental leaps”, because s/he does not have a mind fettered by knowing what is “normally” done in metalworking.) It would be great if you could take one of these courses. It is always wonderful to meet an Orchidian!
Cynthia
Helen Hill 11.06.08 at 7:21 pm
Thanks Cynthia. I’ll look into it. It would be great to take some short courses and to meet you too!
Helen Hill
Linda Savineau 11.18.08 at 5:02 am
Hi Cynthia, I woould love to take your workshop. Birmingham is not TOO far away from Belgium ! Do you have any idea when this will take place? Hope to see you in Philadelphia for the SNAG conference too.
Love, Linda Savineau
ceid 11.18.08 at 2:58 pm
Hi Linda,
I’m not sure that I’m going to go to SNAG this year. I think I’ll go to Clasp, though, since I am teaching a hydraulic press workshop at Bonny Doon Taos (Phil Poirier’s studio) after Clasp. It would be great to see you in Birmingham! I have added the dates to the main part of this blog post—last week of July, and first week of August.
i-hugs,
Cynthia
Keith 05.05.09 at 7:12 am
Hi Cynthia,
I am very interested in taking this course, and would like to buy a BonnyDoon Press. Is there a UK supplier - I have searched and searched but have not found one yet.
Also I would like to buy a copy of: Hydraulic Die Forming for Jewelers and Metalsmiths - by Susan Kingsley’s but can not find this either.
Any help much appreciated.
Keith
Cynthia Eid 05.05.09 at 9:46 pm
Hi Keith,
Rio Grande is the sole distributor for Bonny Doon. Rio Grande ships internationally. Additionally, I think it likely that others in the class will be interested, and we can put together a group order in the class, to get the cost down.
Susan Kingsley’s book is available on Amazon.com, and from Rio Grande, as well as other suppliers.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
Siddharth Soni 06.05.09 at 4:36 am
Hi Cynthia,
Am from India and am interested in making pure gold earrings. Have a look at the designs here . I’ve been the told by a jewelry manufacturer that these designs would be better rendered using Hydraulic Press & Punching. Want to know more about the process. Would you share some information which can help me understand it better? Where can I learn jewelry manufacturing (not design)? Any short-term courses you know of?
Thank you.
Siddharth