School

Featured, Intermediate+

Stellar – Star Setting Jewellery Workshop

Across four days/two weekends, learn the beautiful technique of star setting with Melanie Ihnen in this, the latest addition to our stone setting workshops.

Star setting is a valuable setting technique to add to your repertoire.  This four-day workshop intermediate course focuses on the traditional technique of star setting, where faceted stones are nestled into hand-engraved star-shaped settings.

With guided instruction, you’ll develop precision in engraving and setting, adding fine detail and depth to your jewellery. Ideal for those looking to expand their stone-setting repertoire, this course offers a hands-on approach to mastering a timeless jewellery technique.

At A Glance

Price from $575 inc GST
Take Home Tools Included | presented once a year
Weekend | 10 am - 4pm
Find Dates and Book a Spot!

This course was enjoyable, informative, and the class size was perfect. The facilities in the studio were also great. Mel was an excellent teacher who generously shared her knowledge and created a really fun and positive work environment. I’ll certainly come back for another course.

Nicola

ABOUT THE COURSE

Refine your stone-setting skills in this intensive two-day workshop focused on the traditional art of star setting — a classic technique where faceted stones are nestled into hand-carved star-shaped settings.

Under expert guidance, you’ll learn how to create the distinctive engraved cuts that form the star pattern, and develop precision in both engraving and stone setting. The course offers a hands-on approach to mastering this intricate and timeless technique, ideal for intermediate-level jewellers looking to expand their setting repertoire.

Students will also learn how to make some of the specialist tools required for star setting and will receive a take-home kit containing drill bits, burs, and essential tools to continue practising after the course.

What To Expect

What you Will Learn|What You Will Make|Class Size

Build upon your existing jewellery-making skills as you practise precise measuring and engraving techniques, learn to make essential tools, and ultimately master the intricate art of Star Setting, where faceted stones are elegantly set into hand-carved star-shaped settings.

  • A prerequisite for this class is to be an intermediate-level maker
  • There will be a cost for the class materials. The final cost depends on the design scale and the metal selected. This can be bought in class, or you can bring along your own sheet metal materials – more info provided on sign up
  • Your tutor will advise you on all matters relating to this process

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A sample of Star Set and engraved textured copper.

A sterling silver ring band featuring a Star Set stone.

If time permits, some students may also begin or complete a second small project, such as a charm, pendant, or pair of earrings incorporating star-set details.

|Small Class Size. To ensure an excellent learning experience for all students this class is capped at 8 students.

Practicalities

What is Included

  • Tools to use or a tool set to purchase
  • Cubic Zirconias, a selection of sizes and colours will be available to choose from.
  • 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.
  •  A selection of teas, 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 
  • 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.

 

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?

Join our waitlist below.

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

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

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.

Course Dates

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