Electroforming Jewellery Workshop | New dates coming soon!

About the course

In this three-day workshop, you will be introduced to the electroforming technique, which will enable you to create unique jewellery pieces, small objects and samples in copper.

The course is designed to help you discover the potential of the technique, which allows you to create intricate, complex three-dimensional shapes. With this process you can produce unique, hollow and lightweight pieces which cannot be done in any other way. First you will learn about the principles of electroforming. We will then select suitable objects to electroform; from plastic ready-mades, to found treasures such as twigs and leaves. You will be shown how to pretreat and prepare objects, combine them with different materials and to apply conductive paint to get them ready for the electroforming.

Due to the lengthy process, the electroforming will be carried out during and in between the sessions. Once your pieces are covered with a proper metal layer, we will focus on finishing techniques; from oxidizing to removing sprues.

There will be a maximum of 8 students in the class and each student will have a 2-2.5L electroforming tank available to use on their own throughout the course. There is no limit to the number of pieces you can electroform in your tank- this depends on the speed at which you work and size of the pieces. The bigger the pieces the longer they take to electroform.  

Who is the course for?

Jewellers, artists, craft practitioners who are looking to explore new techniques and who want to get a chance to experiment with a variety of materials. No prior jewellery skills are necessary.

Who will be teaching?

The course will be led by Karolina Brodnicka, a protégé of Katrin Spranger. Meet the tutor here.

What should I bring?

All tools are provided. You only need to bring the pieces you wish to electroform. If you are very sensitive to chemicals and fumes, please bring your own advanced fume mask.

Please bring a selection of different materials and several small objects: for example, treasures that you found on the beach or in the woods. You can also bring small plastic toys, ready mades, glass or ceramic pieces. You might want to combine different materials in one piece, which is also possible (you can just assemble them together with epoxy glue before electroforming). It is also possible to integrate gem stones although, be aware that some minerals react with the chemicals we will be using.

In terms of scale, please chose small /jewellery sized materials and objects.

Overview on the course

DAY 1 (10am - 5pm):

-You will be shown examples of electroformed pieces

- You will get a handout with information of: the principle of electroforming, health & safety, step-by-step guide of the electroforming process

- Preparing your materials/pieces for electroforming; integrating bails, attachments etc, mixing and combining different materials

- we will start electroforming your first pieces, which will electroform overnight

DAY 2 (10am - 4pm):

- Finishing off the pieces that electroformed overnight

- You will be given some finishing tips, eg. oxidising with platinol solution

-Preparing more pieces for electroforming, which will electroform overnight

DAY3 (1 - 4pm):

- Cleaning and take down of tanks, some troubleshooting and Q&A

 Health & Safety

We will provide basic health and safety supplies like aprons, gloves and googles. If you are very sensitive to chemicals and fumes, please bring your own advanced fume mask.