MONDAY EVENING COURSE: Metalwork Techniques

Join Debbie Noble for this six-week introduction to metalwork. All abilities are welcome from absolute beginners to those already familiar with metalwork.

Taught by award-winning designer and maker Debbie Noble, over six-weeks students will learn coppersmithing, working with sheet and rod copper to create small vessels and spoons.

You’ll be guided through the making process from start to finish, taking home your finished products at the end of the course. The craft incorporates numerous techniques including hand piercing/cutting, annealing, hammer forming copper sheets, blocking out, filing, planishing, forging copper rod, soldering and riveting.

The skills you’ll develop will enable you to work on other metalwork projects as coppersmithing draws on the skills of the blacksmith, silversmith, turner, spinner, sheet metal worker and tinsmith.

History of Coppersmithing

Coppersmithing in the UK dates back to the Bronze Age, with the production of copper goods for functional and decorative purposes. Ornamental copperware flourished in the UK during the Arts and Craft movement, however, coppersmithing as a hand skill began to decline during the first and second world wars as men and metal went to munitions. It began to decline further in the 1970s when much of the coppersmith’s work was taken on by he sheet-metal trade.

There had been centres and schools of ornamental work in both Keswick and Newlyn, Cornwall, each with a distinct style and places to study the craft.

Course Schedule

Session 1: 11th September, 6 – 8pm
An introduction into working with copper and learning how to pierce and cut

Session 2: 18th September, 6 – 8pm
Annealing and hammer forming the copper sheet

Session 3: 25th September, 6 – 8pm
Forging copper rod

Session 4: 2nd October, 6 – 8pm
Making a copper spoon. Soldering and riveting

Session 5: 9th October, 6 – 8pm
Forming a copper bowl

Session 6: 16th October, 6 – 8pm
Completing all elements or pieces to conclude 6-week introductory course

About the tutor:

Debbie Noble grew up in Windermere and held a passion for metalwork clicked during her Art Foundation in Carlisle. She then studied 3.D Design Metalwork/Silversmithing at Camberwell College of Art, but sought experience of working with precious metals – something which wasn’t included in her BA. Debbie worked for Dinny Hall for 2 years learning all about batch produced silver jewellery.

Debbie was accepted onto a masters in Goldsmithing/Silversmithing/Metalwork/Jewellery at The Royal College of Art. She then moved to Bournemouth to teach on a 3D Design BA in 2000. She has received a multitude of awards, exhibitions, commissions and publications over the years and now runs La’al Sauna – a woodfired, woodland sauna which she built.