Introduction to Horn in Contemporary Jewellery

Traditionally used for centuries in decorative arts and adornment, horn offers jewellers a unique opportunity to work with an organic, sustainable, and visually rich material at a time when the rising cost of precious metals is encouraging makers to rethink material choices.

This workshop introduces participants to the processes, possibilities, and creative potential of horn within contemporary jewellery making. Through practical demonstrations and making sessions, you will learn how horn can be shaped, finished, and incorporated into modern jewellery design.

Alongside technical skills, the workshop also considers the wider conversation around sustainability, material innovation, and responsible making within contemporary jewellery. We will discuss how natural and historically significant materials such as horn can provide meaningful alternatives to traditional metal-based practice.

The workshop also aims to reconnect contemporary jewellers with the endangered UK craft of horn working — a centuries-old tradition that is now rarely practiced. By bringing these techniques into the modern jeweller’s workshop, participants will explore how heritage craft skills can be preserved, reinterpreted, and given new relevance through contemporary design.

By the end of the day participants will have made two complete pieces of jewellery. These can be of the participant’s own design or designs can be provided. Each participant will be provided with 3.5 grams of sterling silver and 10 grams of base metal for incorporation into their designs.

Perfect for jewellers, makers, and creative practitioners looking to expand their material knowledge, experiment with new techniques, and explore the intersection of craft heritage and contemporary jewellery practice.

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Host or Publisher Nicola Margai