Course Testimonials & Case Studies

The Client | Andrea Kirby

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Andrea Kirby has been a professional contemporary jeweller for over 20 years, specialising in bespoke hand-made jewellery in Sterling Silver and Gold, combined with Gemstones and Diamonds.

 

She is passionate about developing her work by incorporating new techniques or design ideas, in addition she also works with clients to re-model cherished heritage jewellery into beloved new pieces of jewellery.

 

The Objective

Andrea decided some Stonesetting ‘Tips of the Trade’ would help her greatly improve her speed and hone her stonesetting skills and she contacted us to ask if we could help her with some training to fix some troublesome technical issues with tricky rub-over and roman style settings.

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The Course

When we reviewed Andrea's training requirements we immediately knew we  could help and Andrea received a quotation for a 1-day course. We recommended a one-to-one course with one of my expert tutors Nigel Y  who is a a professional Stonesetter with over 30 years trade experience. Andrea then decided on a date and immediately booked the course"

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Targeting techniques

Andrea decided to bring her own stones and castings along to the course and Nigel provided practical one-to-one tuition in his workshop to help Andrea make improvements in her setting techniques.

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The Client | Eileen Moylan

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Eileen Moylan is an award winning  Goldsmith and Silversmith working in Ireland.

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The Objective

I booked a one polishing course with Stephen Goldsmith becauses Polishing and finishing have always been an area where I knew I needed help in both efficiency and skill.

 

The Course

I chose the one to one course option as it was the most cost effective way for me.

This also meant I could dictate the course content on the day and concentrate on areas that would be of most value to my work. 

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Jewellery Business

With the one to one course format it meant that I was working all day and could ask lots and lots of questions. I have done group jewellery courses in the past ranging from 3 to 5 days. While I learnt a lot on these courses there was also time spent waiting around to ask  questions or get help moving on to the next stage of your project. As a self employed jeweller I need to be at my bench to make money, for me this course made sense from a financial point of view.

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Our employee loved the soldering course and found it fully tailored to her needs.

 

The tutor was an excellent teacher, providing clear instruction and really useful hints and tip to take away from the course and our employee now feels totally confident to use the skills acquired.

 

The venue (Tutor workshop) itself was easy to find and located in the middle of the Jewellery Quarter (Birmingham) so ideally situated.

 

All in all we would give it a 5* ‘excellent’ rating. 

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Kirstie L : Jewellery Company

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The course was absolutely brilliant, thank you.

 

Collette was a fantastic tutor, obviously extremely knowledgeable, but also really aware of making the most of the time we had, and reacting to the skills I already have, and the ones I still need to learn. 

  

This was my first experience of one-to-one tuition and it's amazing how much more you can learn. I'm sure I'll be taking another course at some point! 

 

I'd rate it 5* 

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Gemma C | Creative & Jeweller

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it was important for me to understand the process that will inform my designs going forward and tutor Sebastian delivered on this and was great.

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Rated 5*

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Amy | Jewellery Designer

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It went really well thanks, I really enjoyed the course and Rosa (Tutor) explained everything so well and was happy to answer all of the questions that I had.

 

I feel that the course covered all of the important aspects of the making process and there way time to try different techniques and it was great to visit the laser cutting studio as well. I also got to bring back a necklace that I designed!

 

I'd rate the course 5* Excellent.

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I hope I will express rightfully how impressed I was by William (Bill) He was superb, a very kind & charismatic human being, his knowledge on the subjects & his teaching/conversational skills were just excellent.

I was transported immediately into the realm of Gems & Jewelry. That’s remarkable.

I’m so grateful! Thank you

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Marco L | Artist

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Melanie was an excellent tutor and I believe brought out the best of my albeit elementary skills.  

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The session was allowed to flow a natural course, as it should for one to one tuition, she (the tutor) was able to guide me on specifics that would not have been as much detailed as if in a tutorial class where all the participants work to a  set pattern.

 

Melanie certainly gave my confidence a boost and gave me a good direction to pursue to follow my ideas and gain experience.  

Thank you for all your help in setting up this course.

 

I definitely shall keep in touch.  

 

Course a rated 5*.

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Angela | Jewellery Designer

 

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The course with William was really good and helpful.  I appreciate particularly that he managed to cater the course to make it relevant to my needs.

 

He is a good listener and he was sensitive to my questions and the particulars of the Jewellery  I encounter in the Central European region.

 

We had 2 very interesting sessions. For me, it was a pleasure to be able to analyze vintage pieces with an expert.

 

A great learning experience. I rate this course 5 stars.

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I really enjoyed it and enjoyed Marcia’s (Tutor) company for the 2.5hr online session.

 

Marcia was very friendly, professional and extremely helpful! She put me at ease straight away.

 

She had researched me and my Jewellery shop well, which was reassuring and she was very knowledgeable on her subject. That shone through. 

I rate this course 4.5 stars

 

Tanya K: Jeweller
 

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The session tutor Jack was excellent, and his experience and skills were well suited to my objectives.

 

He was very engaging and informative and I’d definitely give the course a rating of 5*.

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Rosie | Jeweller

 

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Thank you, I had an excellent learning experience.

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Kate is a great teacher, exactly what I was looking for. 

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Lots of gems, plenty of tips and a wealth of knowledge.

I would highly recommend Kate's tuition.

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I rate this course 5*

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Lesley S|Jeweller

 

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5 stars, every thing was great, tutor Loree was very knowledgeable and lovely, highly recommend.

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Sarah H | Jeweller

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The enameling day was terrific ,  so 5 stars from me.

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I thought that the day was well organised and structured .  Tutor Tamizan had contacted me before the day in order to check my expectations and prior experience and sent useful reading material.

The tutor brought all the resources needed for the day, she was warm and encouraging and extremely skilled in ensuring that i achieved a good outcome.

 

Not a moment was wasted but this was achieved in a relaxed way, all new techniques were demonstrated and  instructions were clear. 

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So thank you for a brilliant day.

I  thought it was inspirational and have been practising my new skills, this course gave me confidence and I  would definitely recommend the day and tutor.

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Karen B | Jewellery Maker

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Harry is a very patient tutor who is extremely keen to share his knowledge and skills that he has picked up over the years. 

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He was able to show me how to set up the gravermax and how to sharpen and profile gravers.

 

He also showed me basic engraving and stone setting, Harry was really an excellent tutor and he provided a lot of information.

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I rate this course 5*

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Alison |Orkney  Jeweller

 

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it was important for me to understand the process that will inform my designs going forward and tutor Sebastian delivered on this and was great.

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Rated 5*

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Amy | Jewellery Designer

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The (Stonesetting) day was great, thank you.

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The course was really good.  We covered everything that was planned and tutor Nigel was really good at adjusting the plan for the day depending on my strengths and weaknesses as the emerged. 

 

Having this course as one on one was really the way to go as I was able to ask lots of questions and really see what was happening with the demonstrations.

 

It was worthwhile planning in advance what I wanted to cover as we were able to hit the ground running and work out where my current skill level sat so tutor Nigel could focus on tips and tricks to move me on.

 

I would absolutely recommend this course to another Jeweller I rate it 5* Excellent.

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Scott M | Goldsmith 

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My day with the tutor was excellent so a definite 5* course. 

 

I have learned so much in my time at tutor Katherine’s studio.

 

Her teaching and demonstrating of Keum Boo was just brilliant and suited me perfectly and I came away with lots of new knowledge and new techniques for which I am eager to start at home.

 

This course will certainly enhance the jewellery I make. 

 

Thank you for facilitating my time with tutor Katherine.

 

Glenys W | Jewellery Maker

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Thank you for that (course) arrangement. I enjoyed the day a lot. Nick is a very calm tutor and I had a very nice learning experience.

 

What you do is also amazing making people find such unique courses.

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I am planning to have another one in a couple months. I’ll be keeping in touch. 

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Thank you very much for everything again.

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Gamze | Jewellery Maker

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I had a great experience on my CAD course with (tutor) Sebastian. He was very friendly, professional, and accommodating.

I felt like he was very well prepared and good at tailoring his teaching style a bit once he understood my learning style. 

 

I would give him a rating of 5* Excellent 

 

I am now working on deciding how I would like to proceed, I will be in touch with you to book more courses.

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Jess P | Jeweller

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I had a great day. Very informative and productive.

Robert's tuition and the course was Excellent.

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Anna A | Jeweller

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I really enjoyed my Polishing Jewellery course on Saturday with Collette she was fantastic easy going and answering all the questions I asked.

 

Collette was a very good tutor and very helpful and I would recommend to anybody who wants to learn what I did .

 

 

Definitely a 5* rating.

Thank you both so much

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 John | Jewellery Collector

 

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Super day on the course, my head is spinning with ideas.

 

I really liked the way I was able to keep trying things until I felt confident. I was exhausted when I got home but I'm excited to have lots to try.

 

Thanks for sorting it out for me, it was well worth it.
 

 

Louise D

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Excellent course, good pace so we could cover all we needed , equipment wise everything we needed.

Super hospitality 

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Rated 5* for Melissa's tuition

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Jackie | Jeweller

 

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The course I attended yesterday with Nigel was excellent. He was very patient with me which made me feel at ease.

 

I would highly recommend Nigel to anyone who was wanting to build their skills as a jeweller.

 

5* for Nigel’s tuition, will look forward to any future training.

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Jenny | Goldsmith - National Jewellery Company

 

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We would rate the course 5* Excellent, we had a great day and learnt a lot!

 

(Tutor) Miranda was really lovely and patient with us, and made sure to give us lots of options so we could choose exactly what we wanted to do.

 

I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who would like to know more about enamelling!

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Imogen | Jewellery Maker

- Gift Voucher Recipient

 

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My overall experience learning to stone set with (tutor) Nigel was very useful and I learnt a lot of new processes that will help me in the future.

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I look forward to further future training with Nigel.

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I rate this course 5*

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Megan  | Jewellery Apprentice

- National Jewellery Company 

 

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The course was everything I had hoped for

(I received)  a thorough explanation of the basics of hand engraving along with the elements that I need to know about to get started.

 

Tutor Harry was great to work with, very patient and a good mix of criticism and encouragement where needed. His style was perfect for what I wanted.

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My only other feedback  is that ;

I have found your level of communication excellent throughout the arrangements process; from booking right up to reminders and feedback.

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As someone who has organised training and tutored classes myself, I understand how important these aspects can be. In my opinion, you have got it spot-on. Keep up the good work!

 

I would rate this course as 5*, Excellent and would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to learn about hand engraving;

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Harry is an extremely capable and patient tutor and I rate this course 5* Excellent

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Robert C

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The tutor's style of tuition was excellent and considerate of the my ability I was very pleased.

 

I'd rate Mark 5* Excellent

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Hina A

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I found the (Stonesetting) course very interesting,  a great one to one "hands on" experience.

 

The amount of brain, eye, hands coordination required is intense, but like everything it's about practise and familiarity with the tools and the process.

 

I had a good learning experience, tutor Nigel was very friendly, and immediately made me feel welcome and at ease.

  

I enjoyed the course very much and I 'd like the opportunity to carry on (learning  Stonesetting)    

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I rate this course 5*

 

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Warren B

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" My tutor Nick was excellent" 

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 I had the undivided attention (of the tutor) and lots of tools and materials to use and he was happy to answer my many questions too"

 

Things I thought were difficult to achieve I realise are not, it means I can now move forward with new work.

 

 " An EXCELLENT course experience"

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Melanie T | Jeweller

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My expectations were exceeded!  I really felt that Dawn understood my business ethos.

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I met Dawn Meaden-Johnson in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter for a two hour one-to-one session about how to develop my online Jewellery business further.

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Her report about my websites appeal to customers had many great ideas and she also offered some inspired suggestions for new sales areas that my work could fit into.

 

I am sure this 2 hour mentoring session will improve both my website traffic and sales for my jewellery business.

 

I was so happy and inspired after the session and thanks to Dawn I walked away with an optimistic view of my Jewellery business.

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I rate the session excellent since I could not have gotten a better coach. I am looking forward to working with Dawn in the future.

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I highly recommendation the mentoring session.

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Course rated 5* Excellent

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Annette | Anne Wei Designs - Denmark 

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 I would rate (the course)  5 star Excellent and thoroughly enjoyed it.

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(Tutor) Nigel worked at my pace observing and correcting my technique all the time, giving me lots of tips, and he gave me plenty of stuff to practice before my next lesson.

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Amanda B | Jeweller | Gift Voucher Recipient

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I full heartedly give the tutor Kate H's' tuition & course a full fat 5* excellent, she was fantastic! 

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I've come away wanting to learn so much more, I definitely want to proceed to the diamond  diploma course  next.

 

Kate is so utterly thorough and precise with the way she teaches yet she's so friendly, fun & candid that you instantly relax in her company! 

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Thanks for putting me with Kate she's a very knowledgeable woman & total legend! 

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I rated this course 5* Excellent.

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Sarah J | Jewellery Designer/Maker

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The two days with (Tutor) Nigel were brilliant.  

 

It  (The course) gave me a real insight into stone setting with fundamental basic skills to build on and practice and tutor Nigel is very patient accommodating and knowledgeable.

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What a great experience to sit with industry trained stone setter and get a real insight into the industry.

 

I would definitely give this course EXCELLENT. 

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Liz R | Tutor - College of Art 

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"Brilliant day!!!!

Thanks so much for helping me find such a great teacher!

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This course has absolutely inspired me to develop my work further."

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Victoria J | Goldsmith

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" The tutor was very good and it has helped me progress very quickly.

 

A lot learned in one day. ​Excellent "

 

Sam M