Valentine's Special: craft your own eternal token of love

Discover the skill of saw piercing, with silversmith Charlotte Tollyfield, to produce a unique copper and brass token of love for your special someone, ready to gift on Valentine’s Day.

In this short 4 hour session you will design your Valentine’s token, learn how to pierce out the components from copper and brass with a hand saw, add texture and detail, or perhaps a personal message using hammer and punches, learn how to polish the metal and rivet the components together.

It will then be time to add the finishing touch with your choice of ribbon before sitting back to admire your handiwork with a well-earned brew.

From meeting you at the entrance to Persistence Works studios, where her practice is based, in the heart of Sheffield, Charlotte will guide you through the whole experience, providing practical demonstrations along the way, and advice on choosing your design. She will also keep you topped up with tea, coffee and light refreshments to help sustain the creative juices.

Examples of what you can create will be on display for you to look at, and a selection of ready-made templates will be available to use and adapt, or you can have a free rein and create your own unique design. Your finished piece will be approximately 10cm in diameter.

Whether you come along with your other half, your best friend, your mum, or on your own so you can create a surprise gift, this course is a great taster for working in metal and suitable for all abilities.

Additional Info

All materials are included in the course price and all tools will be provided by Charlotte in the workshop. Tea and coffee with fruit, and biscuits will be freely available, but as it is a short session there won't be a break for lunch.

Charlotte is able to provide aprons, but if you have your own that you feel more comfortable wearing you can bring them with you. You may also wish to bring any wrist or elbow support if you feel you may need it. Flat shoes with a covered toe are essential as is comfortable clothing.

For safety reasons this workshop is for 18+ only.

Location

The course will take place at Yorkshire ArtSpace’s Persistence Works studio complex in the heart of Sheffield city centre. The building is a 10-15 minute walk from both the Sheffield central Train Station and Bus Station, and a 10-20 minute walk from all city centre Supertram stops.

Whilst Persistence Works does not have its own parking facilities, there is some street parking directly outside and on nearby roads, as well as several car parks within 3-15 minutes’ walk.

About Charlotte

Charlotte Tollyfield is a professional silversmith with over 15 years’ experience, designing and making her own contemporary silverware and copper pieces that she exhibits throughout the UK. She also takes on both private and corporate commission work. This has included the 2018 St. Leger Stakes trophy, and the Barber Emeritus ceremonial goblets for the Worshipful Company of Barbers in London. Charlotte began offering silversmithing courses in 2017 from her own workshop within Yorkshire Artspace’s Persistence Works, focusing on the key skills of this ancient and noble trade, including hand raising, forging and saw piercing.