Argentium silver with Machi de Waard

Machi is a designer/jeweller who has been working in her studio in Reading, Berkshire for more than 17 years making modernist jewellery in silver and gold. From 2010 to 2011, she was Jeweller in Residence at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell. In 2021, her book, written with fellow jeweller Janet Richardson, Silver Jewellery Making, was published by award-winning craft publisher Search Press. Combining her studio practice with teaching, Machi teaches jewellery making in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Her work is regularly shown at galleries and exhibitions in the UK. In August 2023, Machi was awarded a Masters in Jewellery and Metal from the prestigious Royal College of Art. In 2024, Machi won an award for her work from the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council.  

Course Aims

Have you heard of Argentium silver but didn’t know why you would use it? Have you tried to use Argentium but have questions about its behaviour? Are you wondering what Argentium silver has to offer your practice? Come and find out. There are three projects that we will use to show some of the advantages of Argentium silver – a pair of link earrings and a ring with a copper or brass detail. There will be a lot of discussion and demonstration of Argentium use, including discussion of fluxes and solders. Students are encouraged to contact the tutor in advance of the class with questions and photos of previous projects regarding Argentium use, to then be discussed in class. The focus will be on understanding Argentium, addressing any issues students have come across themselves and the general advantages of using Argentium.  

Students will gain knowledge about how Argentium silver behaves, how it can contribute to and expand their own designs and how it can improve their making skills. There are 3 small projects: students can choose to one, two or three depending on time and ability. Students may also work on their own project if they bring their own materials.  

Machi’s teaching style is A combination of demonstrations, Q&A, discussion, and making. The focus is on learning about Argentium, rather than necessarily finishing a particular project, although that is possible. There are three projects: students may do one or more or work on something they have brought themselves that is Argentium-related.  

Equipment

Please bring your own:

• Usual assortment of hand tools
• Saw Blades

The tutor will bring:

• Charcoal blocks
• Selection of tools
•  Argentium silver, flux and solders. This is sponsored by Argentium, so no will be at no cost to the students.

Students are very welcome to bring along their own materials, projects they are working on that are either Argentium-related or they would like to know if they can make them in Argentium. Machi will have a limited selection of materials, so students should be prepared to do either the projects or something they have brought themselves. Emailing the tutor in advance with questions is encouraged.