How about this as a workspace?
Join me for a day…
…think, make, and work metal in the landscape.
Do things differently…
Maybe you want to try another way of working, or you want to think more with your hands than with your head.
Or maybe you have a creative block to overcome…
…spend time exploring your creative flow on the beach near St Leonards On Sea, East Sussex.
Make a simple tool or amulet that will fit in the palm of your hand, working with precious metal on the beach.
With only three places available, why not make the day even more special by booking with a partner, friends or colleagues?
We’ll do the groundwork in my studio…
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Look...
…from another perspective, think a little differently, work in a way that will give you clarity and a direction for your day.
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Consider...
…a selection of objects you may wish to bring with you. If not, there’ll still be a multitude of objects to inspire you in the studio.
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Attention...
…you’ll have mine. With a minimum of two and a maximum of three places on the day, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
And don’t worry, no metal smithing experience is necessary, just good hand-eye co-ordination and a sense of curiosity…
Then we’ll take it outside…
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A short walk...
…downhill to the beach during which we’ll stop so that we can buy lunch from one of a few great places that serve home-cooked fresh food. I’ll provide re-useable lunch boxes and cutlery so that we leave the beach as we find it.
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Lunch in the landscape…
…weather permitting, we’ll lunch on or near the shingle beach whilst we eye up a suitable place to set up and start exploring and working.
Feel good in the fresh air…
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It might be like this...
You’ll be out in the elements, selecting your tools right here; the possibilities are endless.
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Feel connected with land and sea...
A treat for the senses: shingle shifting underfoot, sea crashing or lapping, light constantly changing; the sounds of gulls carried on a breeze or whipped away by the wind…
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Or it might be like this...
Come prepared for English coastal weather. We do have a microclimate, but anything is possible.
After the highest of the spring tides…
…jeweller and silversmith Jennifer Kidd spent the day with me. Her life-long relationship with the sea was discussed during our process in the studio. She described her extensive collection of beach finds as ‘tokens from the sea’, and decided that what she really wished from the day was to make… a tool for experiencing the sea.
“I can’t believe how truly satisfied I am with my tool for experiencing the sea. I would never have made this object without the thought process you introduced me to.”
— Jennifer Kidd
Testimonials…
“Dear Jo, It truly was a lovely day.
I can't thank you enough for your time, your teaching and for how you understood what I wanted and went beyond to help me get it.”
Paola R – winemaker – June 2024
“I discovered how ideas flow between the metal and the metal-worker. Jo brilliantly facilitated this conversation between me and the silver, so I made a piece I was pleased with, and which suited the constraints of working with the fine silver sheet. I found the process fascinating. And it was great fun to use pebbles on the beach to fashion the metal. The day was really well constructed - thank you Jo!”
Jane N – urban sketcher – August 2022
“I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Jo. As a fellow jeweller and maker I found Jo's calm and thoughtful approach just what I needed. The mindful exercise Jo started with quickly drew out and focused my ideas and, guided by Jo, these were refined and realised through card models. It was so much fun working on the beach with found tools. I have never worked this way before, and it was such a special experience, to make a precious object with the beach as my workshop.”
Jennifer Kidd – jeweller, silversmith and educator – June 2022
