Āpiti - Christmas Gift-Making Class

Spend a day with Manawatu jeweller Vaune Mason, crafting gorgeous lasting gifts for your loved ones, or for yourselves!

This will be a lovely class with a maximum of 5 students at Vaune's rural studio in Apiti. Vaune will help guide you in creating simple jewellery items in silver, copper or brass.

Working in Vaune's studio gives you a range of tools that are otherwise unavailable - you can use her roll-printing press to create amazing textures in your metal using feathers, dried leaves and grasses. This technique is super quick and gives you a fantastic result for your projects.

Beginners can be given simple projects like earrings (studs or drops), rings or stacking rings, and simple pendants using texturing and cutting techniques that are very achievable. More advanced students are able to work on their own ideas, and be assisted by your tutor where needed. Some basic materials are supplied as part of your course costs, and additional materials are available if you wish to make larger items or multiple pieces.

Sets of stacking rings are excellent gifts and super quick to make, you will need to know what ring size you want to make - we recommend borrowing a ring from your giftee, or seeing if they fit one of your rings for size. Earrings are another really great gift, no sizing is needed, and you will be able to make multiple sets if you keep your designs simple. Pendants can be as simple as textured silver discs or rings that hang on a chain or cord, or you can use tiny letter stamps to create a message for your loved one. Chains and cords are available for purchase if needed.

Please note that these classes need to be flexible to work with the range of students and their ideas, so bring a few ideas to class, and your tutor will help you decide what plans will work best for you.