Filigree with Filipa Oliveira

During this two-day jewellery short course, Filipa will show you step by step how to make your own filigree tools and prepare the filigree wire to solder and finish a design. This course is ideal for beginners to the technique of filigree and intermediate learners. With limited spaces for 8 participants, it offers you the chance to get group as well as individual guidance suited to your needs.

• You will learn and make your own filigree tools and take these home with you.
• You will be taught how to make the special filigree wire, 3 different filigree designs and how to solder and finish these.
• By the end of the course, you will have created one piece that you can take home and enjoy.
• The tutor will work with you as a group and individually; and will support and guide you through your learning.

Our small class size offers you the chance to get group as well as individual guidance and 1:1 time with your tutor, allowing you to receive tailored advice to deepen your knowledge and understanding of this setting technique. 

• Silver wire in required size and quantity
• Brass sheet and disc as required
• Hard solder in required quantity
• Acrylic square to work on

• Basic tool kit including saw frame, saw blades, hand file (1/2 round or flat cut 2)
• Different shape needle files
• Ruler
• Steel tweezers x2 (type AA tweezers)
• Small Nails scissors
• Tiny glass container for solder
• Set of pliers
• Soldering paint brush
• Bench brush

Optional:

• Spectacles or head visor (if required) to work on small details

• Intermediate: Some practical experience and basic understanding of the listed skill required

In order to benefit most from this course, participants should have experience of being in a workshop environment and able to work independently on basic tasks such as piercing, filling and soldering.

Developed approximately 5,000 years ago, the term filigree comes from the Latin word “filum” meaning thread” and “granum” meaning grain, which is a reference to the very fine twisted wire used in this technique.

We believe that talent should not be held back. Here at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we are open, accessible and inclusive to all. Our Access Grants help anyone to build thriving creative careers, supporting jewellers, silversmiths and allied industry practitioners to access our training courses for free.

If you need help to cover fees for our business and technical skills short courses, please apply for one of our Access Grants. To find out more and read our application criteria, click here:

The Access Grants are delivered by the Goldsmiths' Centre and funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity.

Filipa Oliveira is a filigree specialist. She has won many awards for her filigree work, including the New Designers Goldsmiths’ Company Award for Jewellery. She uses this ancient technique in an innovative way to lend detail and heritage to her work. This historical element allows both the past and present to be encompassed within each piece of jewellery and is evocative of different times and cultures.