6 week Silversmithing Skills Course, Silver Space Sheffield (Sep-Oct 2025)

Yorkshire Artspace is delighted to present a new edition of smithing skills workshops with renowned silversmith Charlotte Tollyfield. The six-week long course will provide you with an opportunity to learn key silversmithing skills and produce desirable objects in fine metal.

The course takes place in Silver Space, our specialist facility for contemporary silversmithing in the north at our Persistence Works studio complex (image above) and is ideal for beginners or those interested in developing and honing their skills.

The course runs every Tuesday evening for 3 hours, 6pm – 9pm, from 2nd September to 7th October 2025.

Over the 6 weeks you will be taken through a series of short, guided projects by Charlotte designed to introduce core silversmithing skills for beginners. Alternatively, those who already have the basics nailed are welcome to work on their own project using the tools and facilities, with expert tuition on hand to guide your creative project to a successful conclusion. Please note this is not a jewellery-making course; you will be supported in creating sculptural and/or functional objects. Sessions run on Tuesday evening 6-9pm.

Each participant will have access to a workbench, full selection of tools including stakes and hammers and the hearth. Fine metals such as copper or brass are provided along with basic consumables*.

*If you wish to progress on to creating an object in silver, we will be able to assist you in working out what you need and where to get it from. Please note that the cost of silver is not included in the price of the course, and you will need to budget separately for this.

Each three-hour evening session will be led by Charlotte Tollyfield with assistance from our Silver Fellows, enabling full and personal support of everyone on the course. Hosted at Persistence Works, the course takes place at an inspiring centre of creative production where many of the UK’s leading silversmiths are based, and which boasts excellent connections to the city’s metalwork heritage.

THE DETAILS

Cost: £390 per person for a six-week block of 3 hour sessions (18 hours in total)

The price includes

· Expert tuition from renowned silversmiths

· Use of the Silver Space workshop and tools

· Base metals inc. copper and brass

· Consumables inc. saw blades, emery paper, and solder

· Tea and coffee refreshments

When: Tuesday evenings, 6pm – 9pm, for 6 weeks from 2 Sep to 7 Oct 2025

Where: Silver Space workshop at Persistence Works, 21 Brown Steet, Sheffield, S1 2BS

Who: 8 places available for adults, over the age of 18, of any ability who would like to learn or expand upon their metalworking skills.

Bookings & Refunds:

Bookings are taken on the assumption that you can attend all six sessions and no refunds or discounts will be given for sessions unattended.

If the course is cancelled for any reason a full refund will be issued.

Access:

Charlotte will be at the entrance to Persistence Works to greet you from 5:50pm. Persistence Works is opposite The Rutland Arms pub and next door to Site Gallery. Entrance is via the large gateway between Persistence Works and Site Gallery.

There is some on street parking on Brown Street directly outside Persistence Works and some on neighbouring streets. The closest car park is Sydney Street NCP, with other NCP car parks nearby on Eyre Street and Furnival Gate, and large APCOA and Q-Park multi-storey car parks on Eyre Street and Charles Street respectively. All of these are 2-10 minutes’ walk away.

Persistence Works is also within 10-15 minutes walk of Sheffield’s central train and bus stations, as well as city centre tram stops.

Accessibility:

Persistence Works has level access from the street and there is a lift to all levels - Silver Space is located on first floor. There are accessible toilets on ground floor. Please let us know if you are a wheelchair user or have access needs so we can work with you to meet your access needs within the workshop envrironment.

What to wear/bring:

Please be aware that you will be in a functioning workshop environment that houses heavy machinery and tooling. While specific personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided where needed, it is important that you come dressed appropriately. This includes sensible and warm clothing with legs and arms covered, and flat shoes (no sandals or open toes). Long hair must be tied back and loose jewellery removed or tucked safely away.

We will provide aprons, gloves and ear defenders as required, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.