Jewellery Classes and Artisan Workshop
Wellington's Abel Smith St location is now closed, come visit us at 3 Market Lane!
Pōneke | Wellington Summer School
Week Intensive
Soldering And Construction
18 - 22 January 2027, 10am - 4.30pm
Spend five days immersed in jewellery making and take your fabrication skills to the next level with Workspace Studios founder Annie Collins.
Starts Jan 18, 2027
865 New Zealand dollarsLoading availability...
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Our Summer School workshops are about slowing down, asking questions, experimenting, making mistakes, and developing lasting skills. They're designed for people who want to invest in their creative practice - not just leave with another finished project.
This intensive workshop is designed for makers who want to build confidence in soldering and jewellery construction through hands-on exploration, experimentation and practice. Rather than focusing on producing a collection of finished pieces, we'll use a series of construction challenges and technical projects to develop the skills that underpin well-made jewellery.
Throughout the week we'll explore techniques such as layered metalwork, boxes, hinges, catches and precision soldering. Along the way you'll strengthen your torch control, improve soldering accuracy, learn to plan more complex constructions, and discover practical strategies for solving fabrication problems.
By understanding not just how to make something, but why particular construction methods work, you'll leave with skills and techniques that can be applied to your own jewellery long after the workshop has finished.
Held in our brand new Wellington studio, this Summer School intensive offers plenty of time to experiment, ask questions, and learn alongside other passionate makers in a supportive environment.
A generous materials pack is included, with additional metals and materials available to purchase if you wish to expand your projects or explore further ideas.
Our class size is a maximum of 10 students. This group size allows for flexibility in how students work and what they create, though we are unable to introduce additional techniques beyond those planned for the week.
This workshop is ideal for jewellers wanting to strengthen their fabrication skills. Some jewellery-making experience is super helpful, if you have zero soldering experience please get in touch before enrolling.
If you have specific questions about your level, the curriculum or what you can make please email us.
Our website asks for full payment on enrolment (Afterpay is available at checkout), but we are also offering payment plans for those who need to pay over time. Please contact us to arrange this.
This is the general structure for the week. The actual plan may vary depending on how many students enrol and what their individual skill levels are.
Monday
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Introductions, Health and Safety
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Discussions around understanding the science and mechanics of soldering, the different types of soldering and soldering tools and set up.
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Demonstrations on torch types and staying safe at the soldering station. Demonstrations and practicing butt soldering, sweat soldering, layered metals and multi stage soldering. Also delicate soldering, and soldering a small component to a larger piece such as a casting.
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Discussions on construction planning
Tuesday
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Introducing Hinges, Complex Catches, Birdcages and Box Making.
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Students can choose to practice one or more of these.
Wednesday
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Continuing practicing complex soldering from Tuesday's projects
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Planning - working out how to spend the last two days of making time.
Thursday
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Bench Day - students will continue working on their individual projects with plenty of help as required.
Friday
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Bench Day
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At 3.30pm we will finish making for the week, and spend the final 30 minutes looking at all the pieces produced during the week while enjoying afternoon tea together. Students are welcome to bring friends or whānau to this part of Summer School.