Experiences
Welcoming introductions to making
Experiences are short, carefully structured sessions designed to introduce people to making in a calm and supportive environment.
They are ideal for people who are curious about jewellery or silversmithing and want to work with tools and materials without committing to a longer course. Experiences offer a genuine encounter with the Smiddy workshop and its way of working, prioritising confidence, clarity, and care.
No prior experience is required unless clearly stated.
About the workshop
Make a Silver Ring is a carefully guided introduction to traditional jewellery making, designed for those who would like to experience working with precious metal in a professional studio environment. During the workshop you will create a silver ring from scratch and take home a finished piece at the end of the session.
Working from a selection of sample styles, you will be supported step by step through the making process, from measuring and forming your ring to soldering and finishing. The focus is on learning core techniques in a calm, supportive setting, with time to personalise your ring through surface finish and form.
Who is this workshop for
This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and no previous experience is required. The structured, guided nature of the session makes it accessible whether you are confident in creative settings or simply curious to try something new.
What you will learn
During the session you will be introduced to essential jewellery making techniques, including:
Sawing and preparing metal
Shaping and forming a ring
Texturing
Soldering
Filing and finishing
You will work at a traditional jeweller’s bench using professional tools and equipment throughout the workshop.
What is included
All materials, tools and equipment are provided as part of the workshop. Each participant has their own dedicated workspace within the studio.
What to bring and wear
Please wear closed-toe shoes and ensure long hair is tied back. Loose clothing should be kept to a minimum for comfort and safety. If you use glasses for close work, we recommend bringing them, as jewellery making involves fine detail.
Practical details
This is a three hour workshop.
Morning sessions run from 10am to 1pm.
Afternoon sessions run from 2pm to 5pm.
Private bookings for small groups are also available and can be arranged for special occasions, creative days out or team experiences.
Additional information
All prices include VAT.
Participants must be aged 16 or over.
Good hand dexterity and close-up vision are important for this workshop.
Please read our full terms and cancellation policy before booking.
All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking
Vanilla Ink The Smiddy
Old Market Place
Banff
AB45 1GE
About the workshop
Cast your own piece of Banff in silver
Spend time at Smiddy creating your own Banff pebble pendant, a small object shaped by the coastline and made by hand.
In this four-hour session, you will select a pebble inspired by the Banff shore and use the traditional process of sand casting to transform it into solid silver. Working step by step, you will create your mould, pour your casting, and finish your piece by hand.
Each pendant will carry its own surface and character, shaped by both the original pebble and the casting process. No two pieces are ever the same.
To complete your piece, you will stamp your own initials into the silver, creating something personal to you. Your finished pendant will be ready to wear, a small connection to Banff that you have made yourself.
This experience is designed to be calm, focused, and hands-on. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to try something new and spend time making.
Who is this workshop for
This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and no previous experience is required. The structured, guided nature of the session makes it accessible whether you are confident in creative settings or simply curious to try something new. It is also well suited to those with some making experience who would like to explore casting for the first time.
What you will learn
During the workshop you will be introduced to the fundamentals of sand casting, including:
Understanding pre-made masters and mould preparation
Creating and packing a sand mould
Casting molten silver into the mould
Cleaning, refining and finishing cast silver
You will work between individual jewellers’ benches and a shared central casting area, using professional equipment and traditional jewellery tools throughout the session.
A note on making
This is a hands-on process where each stage is carried out by you, with guidance throughout. The nature of sand casting means results will vary, and this is part of what makes each piece unique.
What is included
All materials, tools and equipment are provided as part of the workshop. Each participant has their own dedicated workspace within the studio. The silver required to complete one cast pendant or ring is included.
What to bring and wear
Please wear closed-toe shoes and ensure long hair is tied back. Loose clothing should be kept to a minimum for comfort and safety. If you use glasses for close work, we recommend bringing them, as jewellery making involves fine detail.
Practical details
This is a four hour workshop.
Sessions run from 10am to 2pm.
Private bookings for small groups are also available and can be arranged for special occasions, creative days out or team experiences.
Additional information
All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking
Vanilla Ink The Smiddy
Old Market Place
Banff
AB45 1GE
Choosing an experience
Each experience listing explains what you will make, how long the session lasts, and what is included.
If you are unsure which experience is right for you, take your time reading descriptions or get in touch to ask questions.
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Experiences are suitable for people who are completely new to making, those returning after time away, and visitors looking for a meaningful hands-on activity.
Some people attend a single experience and stop there. Others use experiences as a first step before further learning. Both are equally valid.
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Experiences are guided sessions with a clear structure and defined process.
Participants are supported step by step, with time to understand what they are doing and why. Each experience works towards a finished piece, but understanding process always comes before outcome.
Experiences are designed to feel welcoming, contained, and achievable.
How Experiences fit within the Smiddy
Experiences sit within the Learn section as an introduction to making.
They may sit alongside Courses or Private Skills Sessions, but they do not imply progression and are not designed to lead anywherebeyond the experience itself, unless the participant chooses.
If you are looking for more in-depth learning, Courses or Private Skills Sessions may be more appropriate.