Gypsy Setting Workshop | Gem Setting Two

Learn the beautiful technique of Gypsy stone setting with Melanie Ihnen in this, the latest addition to our stone setting workshops.

Also known as a flush mount setting, Gypsy setting is a valuable setting technique to add to your repertoire. This two day workshop is perfect for intermediate students who want to add to their skill set and learn an additional technique for adding colour, texture and sparkle to their work, and how to choose and make the tools to achieve this.

Wear home a beautiful tapered sterling silver ring with many colourful sparkling gemstones, set by you.

Course Skill Level:

For those with confidence in the basics.

Find Dates and Book a Spot!

course details

$495 inc GST
2 days - 12 hours tuition
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm

Find Dates and Book a Spot!

I've done courses elsewhere where we seem to only skim the surface, but this was right into the practical detail from the start and I left feeling confident to be able to work further on my own at home.

— Kim Littleton, Happy Student

ABOUT THE COURSE

Our 2 day Gypsy setting workshop is a perfect introduction to setting small gemstones flush to the metal. Intermediate level skills are needed for this workshop and it is a great opportunity to build up your jewellery making repertoire.

The aim of this workshop is to provide students with the confidence and skills to understand the process and requirements to securely Gypsy set smaller gemstones into beautifully finished jewellery.

Over the weekend you will have time to resize your ring if necessary, learn how to make your own setting tool from recycled burs, learn how to accurately measure and choose the tools for preparing a seat for your stones. You will practice Gypsy setting on a copper sample piece before setting multiple stones of various colours and sizes into your ring. You will learn to clean up your Gypsy set ring ready to wear. Some students will have time to work on a second jewellery piece such as a pendant or earrings.

Students will learn how to make some of the tools required to Gypsy set the stones and will be provided with a take home kit containing drill bits, burs and the tools required to continue the practice after completion of the workshop.

What You'll Learn

What you Will Learn

Build upon your existing jewellery making skills, practice accurate measuring techniques, learn to make useful tools and ultimately, learn the technique of Gypsy setting.

How to Gypsy set a gemstone including how to

Make a needle burnishing tool and attach a graver handle
Make a wax stick to easily handle your gems
Use a beading tool to add texture to metal
Drill and use setting burs to create a seat for your gemstone
Burnish the metal to set gemstones
Finish the piece after setting

What You Will Make

A sample of Gypsy set and beading tool textured copper.

A sterling silver Gypsy set ring band

Some students, if time permits, will start or complete a second small project such as a charm, pendant or earrings.

Practicalities

What is Included

Materials included to take home;

A sterling silver ring band
Cubic Zirconias, a selection of sizes and colours will be available to choose from.
Burnishing tool (you make) and a graver handle to attach it to
Wax, dowel and charcoal, to make a tool for holding stones
Drill bits
Setting Burs

In the Studio

All the consumables you need to make your projects (ie saw blades and emery paper) as well as all the hand tools and equipment required to complete your pieces.
Tea, coffee and biscuits

Available to Purchase

Additional stones
3mm sterling silver sheet various sized for a second project

What to Bring

A notebook and pen/pencil
An apron
Covered shoes
Your ideas and creativity
Lunch

You may choose to bring your own 3mm sterling silver sheet for a second project if you have it. The dimension must be at least 10mm x 10mm to allow space for setting.

More detailed information is provided on enrolment.

Payment Options

Enrol below – you can secure your place on the spot!

Or take advantage of our payment by instalments option to secure your place:

Pay a 40% deposit followed by a 30% payment six weeks out from your course, and the final 30% payment three weeks ahead of the course start date.

Related Workshops

Bezel Setting | Gem Setting One

Wax Carving for Jewels | Stone Setting Workshop

UnEarthed | Sand Casting with Sapphires with Kirra-lea Caynes

Our Tutors

Why choose a jewellery making course at SquarePeg Studios?

Our courses are taught by highly experienced and passionate teachers who are practising contemporary jewellers. This is the closest to an accredited course – without the assignments, stress and cost – that Sydney has to offer. Students not only gain the satisfaction of designing and hand-making their own piece of jewellery they also have the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at a contemporary professional jewellery studio while learning great new skills in jewellery techniques and design.

Melanie Ihnen

Meet your tutor

Melanie Ihnen. Melanie studied design at Newcastle TAFE and Jewellery and Object at Enmore Design Centre Sydney. She has since been a maker, teacher, curator and gallery director. Melanie has been teaching, exhibiting and practicing jewellery in Sydney for over 15 years and works in her studio in the CBD producing her hand made collections. Her signature works are influenced by geometric shapes, architecture and the subtle colour and tonal variations of metals. She employs the technique of Married metals working with various gold alloys and silver.

Melanie Ihnen - Square ring

Wonderful studio with everything you need to make jewellery. The space has also been carefully reimagined to cater for social distancing, with spacious work spaces set up with individual tool racks.

— Nicole Redenbach, 2020