Loving La Vidalerie

I'm just home from a week's holiday at La Vidalerie in France and it was fabulous!

My First visit in 2013: An Introduction to Jewellery Making

I first discovered La Vidalerie when shopping for handmade silver jewellery findings a few years back.  Browsing through the website, I noticed that they also run jewellery making holidays.  So, my buddy Jenny and I went along for a few days on their beginners' course.

Mastering the Basics

We covered the basics and it was a revelation to learn the correct techniques for things I always just muddled through with.  For example how to securely crimp and attach clasps to bracelets, open and close jump rings tightly without distorting them and how to make the perfect wire wrapped loops every time!

Wire work, Riveting, Fold-Forming and Soldering

We drank a hell of a lot of cups of tea with choccie biccies, so I don't know how we managed it but we also branched into loads of 'proper' silversmithing.  We made our own earwires and clasps and learnt how to herringbone weave silver wire around beads.  We got our hammers out and learnt how to fold-form flat silver into 3d shapes.  We stamped and riveted pieces and even learnt how to solder our own stacker rings!

Precious Metals Workshop in Edinburgh

After my first holiday at La Vidalerie, I started making things at home and took an evening class at Precious Metals Workshop in Edinburgh.  I got quite into it and hired a bench with a friend, Di, whom I met at the workshop.

After a couple of years, my jewellery hobby dwindled, as my Silhouette Cameo had taken over and a flat move took up my remaining spare time.  I decided to cancel my bench as it was £60 per month and packed away all my tools.

In need of a Retreat

Not many people know, but things have been tough recently, as I've separated from my long term partner.  I needed a break and the first place that sprung to mind was La Vidalerie!

Rekindling My Hobby

Since visiting last, Karen and Tim have built a fabulous workshop, kitted out with loads of equipment, so I had a ball. 

Keum Boo

My favourite jeweller Misun Won uses this Korean technique of fusing fine gold foil to silver a lot and I was keen to find out more.  I experimented with cutting it on my cameo, which was very nerve-racking given the cost!! 

Electro (salt water) etching

At PMW in Edinburgh, I tried chemical etching on copper and silver, so was keen to try out salt water etching on copper with Karen.  This technique passes an electric current from some household batteries through the water to etch your piece.  We also used the same idea of electro-etching on silver, but instead of salt needed to use silver nitrate.  We tried out resists, including vinyl cut from my Silhouette Cameo.

Glass Fusing and Etching Dichroic

I learnt how to make fully fused glass pieces and how to make custom designs etching the special sparkly dichroic glass

Rolling Mill Textures

This was an unexpected delight, so much so I have ordered my own mini mill arriving tomorrow!  I cut designs in paper with my cameo, many inspired by retro Orla Kiely style stems.  I particularly love my brooch and learning how to make the fastening.

Claw and Tube Setting Stones

Apart from constantly dropping my teeny weeny topaz when I was trying to set it, I love this sea glass pendant and learning the versatile claw setting.  I want to take a trip to Seaham near Newcastle where this glass is from - apparently there was an old Victorian bottleworks factory which routinely dumped its end of day glass into the sea.  Almost a century after it closed, the sea still churns back daily loots of beautiful sand-polished glass nuggets.  Closer to home, I hear South Queensferry is also good, but this time because of the nearby pubs!

Completing my Origami Hummingbird

I etched this little fella in PMW but he had languished in an unfinished projects box.  I soldered a brooch pin on and we gave him a wee polish and he's ready.  Do you think I should keep him or gift him this Christmas?

Itinerary

I know it seems like I have some sort of affiliation, but I don't at all, I just really loved both my holidays!  Karen and Tim are so warm and welcoming and really easy-going.  Tim picked me up and dropped me off at Montpelier airport, although we realised that Beziers is actually a way better option late March to October as Ryanair fly direct from Edinburgh. 

Breakfast and lunches are included and veggies are well catered for as Karen herself is vegetarian.  For dinner, you can cook in the gite or Tim will happily drop you off in the local village and collect you again. 

Incredibly materials are also included, yes really - silver, copper and glass!  I even got a little laser engraved usb with all the photos Tim kindly took and my own polishing stick.  My makes were wrapped in little bags and tissues and I was given some La Vidalerie jewellery tins so I didn't damage them travelling back home.

My holiday cost £890 - this is the 2016 price for 5 workshop days and 7 nights.  This can be split into shorter holidays such as 2 Workshop Days / 3 Nights for £395 per person or 3 Workshop Days / 4 Nights costing £495 per person.  I think this is fabulous value considering day courses in Edinburgh cost as much or more without food, accomodation or materials!  Here's their website La Vidalerie.

Oh, I should mention that Karen and Tim are English ex-pats, so teach in English in case you assumed my French is way better than it is!!