Students hammer new shape into their world - Toowoomba Chronicle

Andrew Reeson from Toowoomba at the Silversmithing workshop Cobb + Co Museum. Nev Madsen

THE SOUNDS of hammering and sawing at Cobb & Co Museum yesterday proved that metalworkers aren't born with silver spoons in their mouths.

Students from Toowoomba were at the advanced silversmithing workshop, learning how to make delicate ornaments from the precious metal.

Tutor Dan Cox said learning to become a silversmith required patience and skill.

"Students do sawing, soldering, filing, sanding and a lot of hammering.

"To get the metal to move you need to hammer it and splay one edge so it bends into the right shape.

"There are a number of techniques that students learn.

"You have to give it time, you can't rush it because the moment you do that it will bite back at you.

"You can learn how to create jewellery and can start making money from it fairly quickly.

"Each year residents can do the beginners, intermediate and advanced courses and can further develop their skills year on year," Mr Cox said.

He said silversmithing had been around since ancient Egyptian times and the techniques had been used for centuries.

"From the course you get skills, and a product at the end of it too."

Student Andrew Reeson said he decided to join the workshop because he loved making things.

"I currently make clothing and belts at home so I wanted to learn this too," he said.

To get involved go to the Cobb & Co website at cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au where you can learn about the three-year program.