Guest tutor and master jeweller Peter Keep will travel from his home in Western Australia to share his unique expertise and vast teaching experience with us at SquarePeg in 2023.
Keen to incorporate striking stone-set detail into your work?
We present two one-day workshops ideal for advanced students who want to add to their setting skill set.
Choose to join either (or both!) one-day workshops focussing on split claw and star setting.
These workshops include setting blanks for students to use as they perfect their technique during the day of learning.
At A Glance
- $375 inc GST
- $375 including all materials
- Weekend | 10 am - 4pm | presented twice a year (February and November in 2023)
I am grateful for your vision, quality instruction, that you are willing to share your beautiful ideas and work and your dedication to your students. Your tutorials are so well put together, and easy to follow and they inspire me to try my hardest.
5 stars - DeborahABOUT THE COURSE
Split Claw – one-day workshop
Whilst in town, Peter will present a one-day Split Claw Setting workshop. Split claw setting, sometimes called thread setting, is typically used for stone set wedding rings and engagement rings.
The result is a stone set row of small faceted stones held by four claws on each stone.
Star Setting – one-day workshop
Peter will also present a one-day workshop focusing on the beautiful technique of Star Setting.
Star Setting is a decorative form of grain setting that was used by jewellers of old to make small stones appear larger. This type of setting will advance your setting skills for working with smaller stones. The same principles can then be applied to other shapes and will prepare you well for pave settings in the future.
Prerequisite skills for this course are general fabrication, saw piercing, advanced burring and drilling abilities working with the flex shaft or micro motor.
What To Expect
What you Will Learn - Split Claw Setting
Split Claw Setting – one-day workshop
Build upon your existing jewellery-making skills, practice accurate measuring techniques, and learn tips and tricks for the fabrication and setting of split claw set designs. Split claws – are a stone set row of small faceted stones held by four claws on each stone
- Learn how to plan the perfect placement and setting of stones in a row
- Fine saw cutting and burring to create decorative setting sides
- How to carve four claws for each stone
- Practice setting on pre-fabricated setting blanks, inclusive of the all-important cutting of the seat (or bearing)
- Set the claw settings you have fabricated
- Finishing your piece after setting to a professional standard
What You Will Make - Split Claw Setting
Split Claw Setting – one-day workshop
The focus of this workshop is mastering the setting technique – thus setting blanks are provided to learn with on the day.
This type of setting may look difficult, but if you can master claw setting you will master split claw setting. You will learn lots of tricks of the trade to help you to mark out for the stone placement, then create the claws & scalloped edge using burs and a piercing saw.
Finally you will learn how to cut the seating (bearing) and set the stones in place. You will be provided with as many setting blanks & stones as you need, so if you make a mistake, you can start again!
- Sample split claw setting on provided setting blanks
What you Will Learn - Star Setting
Star Setting – one-day workshop
Build upon your existing jewellery making skills, practice accurate measuring techniques, and learn tips and tricks for the fabrication and setting of star set designs.
Learn how to star set
- learn how to prepare a graver (2.5mm square graver & handle)
- Practice setting on pre-fabricated setting blanks, inclusive of the all-important cutting of the seat (or bearing)
- precision burring to create a seating at the correct depth and size
- how to lift grain (small beads of metal)
- perform bright cutting effects
What You Will Make - Star Setting
Star Setting – one-day workshop
You will learn a simple way to mark out a star on the provided brass settings, and you will then prepare the setting with burs.
The star arms will be cut before the stone is placed.
Finally, the grains are lifted and beaded onto the stone to set it in place.
Once you learn the process you can practice and perfect your setting technique.
Class Size
Small Class Size – to ensure an excellent learning experience for all students this class is capped at 10 students.
Practicalities
Prerequisite skills
The prerequisite skills required are strong intermediate/advacned – general fabrication, saw piercing, intermediate soldering, burring and drilling using a flex shaft.
What is Included
- Brass setting blanks for learning setting techniques
- Cubic Zirconias, a selection of sizes and colours will be available to choose from
- Use of setting burs and all required tools for setting
- Information on what tools you will need to set at home
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.
- A selection of teas, coffee and biscuits
Available to Purchase
- 2.5mm square graver & handle – bring your own or they will be available to purchase on the day
What to Bring - Star and Split Claw Workshops
- 2.5mm square graver & handle – bring your own, or they will be available to purchase on the day
- Bits and Burrs – a list will be attached to your enrolment confirmation
- Your favourite general and familiar hand tools to use on the day :
- pliers
- saw
- flush cutters
- files
- callipers
- jeweller’s head loupe and/or your magnifier glasses. (Setting can be tough on the eyes.)
General classroom tools, bits, and burs will also be available to share on the day if required.
- A notebook and pen/pencil
- Your ideas and creativity
- Lunch
More detailed information is provided on enrolment.
Safety
- We take safety very seriously at SquarePeg.
- All students must wear proper enclosed shoes (no sandals or thongs), long pants or skirts and have long hair tied back.
- We provide safety equipment and training on how to use all relevant equipment.
Payment Options
- Enrol below – you can secure your place on the spot!
- Enrol early and take advantage of our payment by instalments option to spread the payments out over three payments.
- 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. This option is offered at check out.
Is the date you would like to join sold out?
Please send us an email to register your interest and to go on a waitlist. mail@squarepegstudios.com.au
Related Workshops
Keen to learn more with Peter?
On the same weekend join Claw setting with Peter Keep
Fantastic place to learn how to make jewellery. Easy to get to and park and the atmosphere here was very professional and also fun. Our tutor was amazing, patient, and methodical and took the time to ensure everyone received individual attention and had their questions answered. I would love to come back and learn more!
5 stars - Judy S..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.
Peter Keep
