Our Bench Hire Descriptions, Terms and Conditions have been updated.

Please ensure you check our new information for Independant Hires and Assisted Hires before you book.

Please also check out our Bench Hire FAQ to view updated changes and detailed prices for special activities like casting, melting and use of the kiln.

Bookings are required for all Bench Rentals - booking links are at the bottom of the page.

Walk-ins may not be able to be accepted in Wellington & Christchurch.

Walk-ins are not accepted at the Ōtaki Studio.

Bench Hires are available on a limited basis at our Ōtaki Studio.

Please get in touch to find out more.

One on One Tuition

Ideal for those who're really wanting to up their game, prefer to have a tutor's undivided attention or work irregular hours so our usual class schedule is unsuitable.

This is also a great option to melt and process your silver scrap or gold bits and pieces back into usable metal!

Private tuition costs $70 per hour and we are happy to fit in with your schedule where we can.

The fee includes tuition and consumables but not materials.

Please email us to inquire with details on your project ideas, your city and days and times you are looking for.

If you're keen to make your own Wedding Rings please click here.

Independent Jewellery Bench Hire

Need a space to finish a project? Or maybe start one?

Our benches are available in Wellington and Christchurch on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.

Renters must have completed an 8 week beginners class (or similar) and be confident with the tools and techniques they are using. They must also feel confident working alone as there is no tutoring with independent bench hire.

The cost is $45 per session, whether you are in for half an hour or the whole day the charge is the same.

It is important for you to read and understand the scope of independant bench hire - please check the description and guide here.

If you're planning regular sessions, check out our 5 trip bench hires cards for 20% off!

Assisted Bench Hire

If you are not an experienced student, have never been in our workshop before, or if you require assistance or supervision please book an Assisted Hire - $55 for the 3 hour session.

Assisted Hires are essential certain activities (like melts). Details are on our Bench Hire FAQ page

Safety is our top priority and a second person is required to observe use of this equipment, even for experienced students.

Please read and make sure you understand the scope of an assisted hire - check the description and guide here.

For those who are moving towards being able to work independently, or if you have just a little tricky bit you need help with Assisted bench hire is the best of both worlds. Mostly unsupervised, but with the ability to ask the occasional question or have a little help.

If you need more one on one help, we will ask you book a private tuition session.

Permanent Bench Hire

We are currently seeking creatives to rent benches in our Christchurch workshop.

Our Gallery Space is currently available, (click here for details) as well as jewellery making bench space.

Our jewellery renters have their own bench set up in the studio all the time and are given a key so they can access the space whenever they need to. We ask renters to bring in their own bench and ideally their own small hand tools such as pliers, files and a saw - although we do have these tools for them to use if necessary.

Renters can take a space for a fixed term or on an ongoing basis. The rent varies depending on the space used.

The studio is set up with hand tools, carving tools, soldering station with ventilation, rolling mill, various chemicals and tea and coffee making.

We are also welcoming bench renters who aren't necessarily jewellers, but anyone crafty who needs a small workspace can apply.

Please email us with any questions.

Casting Service

For makers who aren't currently taking a casting class with us we have a casting service available. Bring us (or courier in) your waxes and we can get them cast for you in the metal of your choice.

Charges:

Casting Charge: This depends on the size of your item, a small ring will be between $7.45 - $9.10, a chunkier ring might be $10 - $13.50. We can give you an estimate for your item once we see it.

Metal Charge: this is charged on a per gram basis. Silver or bronze weigh approximately 11x the wax weight so we can calculate this charge before we cast your wax.

Current metal costs:

Sterling Silver: $4 per gram

Bronze: $0.35c per gram

White Bronze: $0.70c per gram

Brass: $0.35c per gram

Gold: POA

Courier Charge: You can choose our weekly courier ($4 return) or express courier ($11 return).

Admin and Handling Charge: $5 per group of waxes to send and process castings. Save costs by sending more pieces at once!

Packing Charge: $1 per item, you can avoid this charge if you pack them yourself.

Example: 3 small wax rings in silver

Casting Charge: $8.30 x 3

Metal Charge: 15.29g stg= $61.16

Courier Charge: $4

Admin Charge: $5

Total: $95.06

Regular Bench Hires

We understand setting up is expensive, so why not use our shared tools and resources? The more you use the space, the better the price.

Get a 5 session Bench Hire card - with a 20% discount.

(5 sessions for $180)

Sessions on this card must be used within 12 months.

To purchase please click here.

5 Trip Bench Hire Cards may be purchased through our Online Shop or at our studio. You can upgrade to an Assisted Hire for an extra $10.

Bookings are essential for each session.

Bulk Bench Hire card - 3 days of access for $75.

Sessions must be used consecutively. Renters are asked to take their tools, projects and materials with them and must work around classes.

Please contact us to discuss.

5 Trip Bench Hire Card

$180.00

Sales Tax Included

Mentoring Sessions
If you need special help with your jewellery making we can help! These 30 minute sessions can be conducted over Zoom/video chat, over the phone or via chat using WhatsApp. They are a great way of solving a particular problem, getting tips and tricks or getting help with your at home studio set up.
Vaune is one of Workspace's founders and has over 20 years of jewellery making experience. She loves problem solving for students and finding clever ways of doing things!

Terms and Conditions for Bench Rental at Workspace Studios

Bookings must be made through the website by clicking on the relevant hire session above.

All extra material costs must be paid on the day of hire, via cash or eftpos.

All Bench renters must agree that:

They will read and familiarise themselves with the Bench Hire FAQ.
They will follow all health and safety requirements set out by Workspace and their technician
They will leave the studio clean and tidy, including putting all tools in their correct place and sweeping down their bench.
They will book the appropriate hire for their skill level - Independent, Assisted or One onOne Tuition. If our studio techs do not feel the renter has the skill for an Independent or Assisted Hire Workspace reserves the right to cancel their hire and refund them the fee.
They will not use any equipment they have not been shown how to use.
They will not use any equipment alone that they have not been cleared to use safely by a Workspace technician.
They will not melt metal or fire enamels in an Independent Hire - this must be an Assisted Hire.
They will not use any toxic materials in the studio including resin, bone and shell.
They will pay the rental charge before they come in by booking online, or on the day via cash or eftpos. They will pay for any materials used on the day of hire.
They will inform Workspace technicians/staff immediately of any breakage, damage or health and safety issues.(*you must ensure that Workspace is notified, not just another bench renter)
They will pay for any damage they cause, intentionally or unintentionally.
They will not let anyone else into the studio, whether they are friends or strangers.
They will correctly fill in the Bench Renters Book with name, date and times.
They will not use our workshop under the impairment of drugs or alcohol.

By making a booking with us you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions.

Jewellery Classes and Artisan Workshop