Brooch Making – Pin and Clasp Mechanisms

Level: Competent Beginner / IntermediateThis course is designed for beginner to intermediate students who have some experience in jewellery making and want to deepen their technical skills. You should have prior experience with saw piercing and soldering, and be confident in these skills.
Join us for a specialist brooch-making workshop focused on fabricating professional-quality pin and clasp mechanisms. In this next-step jewellery course, you’ll refine your existing metalworking skills while learning how to construct secure, well-engineered brooch fittings from scratch.Designed for competent beginners and intermediate makers, the class focuses on the technical challenges of brooch construction — particularly the precision required to create durable, well-balanced pins and clasps. Under expert guidance, you will develop an understanding of the engineering behind brooch fittings and create your own variations that combine thoughtful design with reliable mechanical function.Along the way, you will revisit key bench skills including hard soldering, precise fitting, metal tempering and finishing techniques, ensuring that your brooch fittings are both discreet and robust enough for long-term wear.Techniques covered
Design considerations for brooch fittings: weight, balance and wearabilityUnderstanding commercial brooch fittings — which to use and which to avoidFabricating custom brooch pins and claspsPrecision soldering for fine mechanical componentsMetal tempering and tension control for brooch pinsFine finishing and alignment of brooch mechanismsTroubleshooting common issues with pin alignment and clasp tension