What's included in the price of a course?  - Please see the individual course details for the course you have booked for a full description of what the course includes. In addition to this there is plenty of tea and coffee and usually biscuits too! Longer courses include written handouts to help with the learning process that you can take away and keep for your records. 

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How do I redeem a gift card? 

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This will depend on the type of voucher you have. Once on the first booking page, fill out the required information and then do one of the following - 

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        *If your code is an 8 digit code with dash in the middle (eg 0000-0000) enter the full code including the dash into the promo code box on the first booking page. This will then apply the available funds and you can then move onto the payment page. This also applies to any voucher I have issued personally to you. If your voucher covers the cost of the course there will be a nil balance to pay and you can continue through the booking process.  Please note that this type of voucher can not be used in conjunction with any discount codes that may be available at the time of booking. 

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       *If your code is longer (eg 19CSJ62019C4S4OJ) then leave the promo code box blank (any promotional discount codes can be added to the promo code box) and move onto the payment page where you can enter your full code. Any funds remaining on your e-gift card will be available to use at a later date with the same code. 

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If your voucher doesn't cover the full cost you can pay the balance by credit/debit card or paypal. 

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I can no longer attend my course/I forget I made the booking, can I change the date? - If you are within the 14 day cooling off period since booking (unless the course takes place within that 14 days) I can move your booking to another date. Beyond that 14 days I can only move you once I have sold your place to somebody else.  The place will be advertised to the mailing list and if someone takes up the place I can then move you to a later session. Please note - you will receive a confirmation email on booking (hotmail accounts check your spam folder) however if students fail to add booking details/dates to their own calendar/diary and are then unable to attend, I can only move your booking if I can sell your place to somebody else. Any places that remain unsold will be lost.  These are strict terms and conditions of booking that apply regardless of your reasons for cancelling.  You are also free to sell or gift your place to a person of your choice. 

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I am within the 14 day cooling off period since my booking but need to change the date/workshop, can I rebook a new date and request a refund on the first booking? - While you are indeed entitled to a refund, in this instance please contact me so I can manually move your booking to another date. Payment processing companies charge a non-refundable fee for taking the payment (even if still within the 14 days) so they do not refund their fee to me. I will move your booking to a new date and if there is any money to be paid I will issue an invoice. If the course is lower in value than the original booking I will refund the difference. 

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I'm waiting for my work schedule and I'm not sure if I will be free for a workshop but don't want to miss out on booking a space, can I book to secure a place and get a refund if I'm not free, as long as I request it within 14 days? - While technically you are entitled to a refund within 14 days I ask that you do not do this for the same reason as above. Payment processing companies charge a non-refundable fee for taking the payment and do not refund their fee to me, even it's within the 14 days.  Please only book a place if you are sure you can attend. If your schedule changes please contact me so that I can try to move your booking to a new date. 

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I'm booked on a course, will I receive any information prior to attending? - yes, you will receive an email around 5 days before the course is due to start with lots of information such as how to find me, what you need to bring and any additional details that you need. Please note that hotmail accounts often send the email to a spam folder due to it having a few images attached. This also can apply to your booking confirmation, they sometimes end up in a hotmail spam folder too. Generally I send out the email on a Monday or Tuesday prior to attending at the weekend so keep an eye out. 

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What should I wear? - Please wear regular sensible clothes (but not your best fanciest outfit!) keeping in mind courses take place in a workshop environment. Strictly no open toe shoes or sandals please for safety reasons, (there are heavy pieces of equipment in the workshop). If you wear reading glasses then please bring them along with you as close up work will be involved. No loose long ties/scarves and long hair should be tied up. Dress warmly in winter (it can get cold in the workshop) and dress appropriately in summer (it can also get very warm in the workshop). 

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Please also keep in mind this is a workshop with tools and equipment that can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Please ensure all equipment is used safety and as instructed at all times.

 

Are there any age restrictions? -  Anyone aged 17 and over can attend independently (anyone in school year 12 upwards).  Students aged 14-16 can attend with an adult who is also booked onto the course.  If you wish to attend with anyone under the age of 14 please contact me prior to booking to discuss the suitability of the workshop you wish to book.  Please keep in mind that most jewellery making workshops include using tools such as hammers, jewellers saw and a small cooks torch for soldering. Any adult booking anyone from this group should be happy for their child to use this equipment. 

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Do you provide lunch? - Lunch is not included with any course. See details below for lunch information. 

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Do I need to bring anything else?- For a longer workshop you may want to bring some lunch with you. Food can also be bought from the onsite cafe 'The Milking Parlour' although I would advise checking opening hours before attending as they do occasionally close early and preordering your food is advisable as everything is made fresh to order.

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Is there parking on site?- Yes absolutely! There is ample parking in the main carpark. Parking is also available close to the workshop if you have difficulty walking. Please contact me if you require directions to this carpark. It does only have very limited space so only use this carpark if you need to.  When you do park, please don't obstruct roads or access to other businesses on site. 

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Where are you located? - The workshop is located on Gate farm Rural Enterprise Park on Wettenhall Road close to The Venetian Marina,  about 5 minutes from Reaseheath College and Snugbury's ice-cream.  I would advise familiarising yourself with the route as it is a rural setting (down a county lane) and some people do struggle to find me. (instant street view is great for having a look at the road and surrounding area). If you are booked onto a workshop or course, I will email a detailed description of how to find me a few days prior to the course. 

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What time should I arrive for my workshop? - Please try to arrive about 10 or 15 minutes before the start of your workshop so that you can get settled in, get a tea/coffee etc before the session starts. Please do not arrive any earlier than 15 minutes as I will still preparing the workshop for the class.  If you can no longer attend your session please let me know so that the start of the session is not delayed. 

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The course I want to do is fully booked, can I go on a waiting list? - At this moment I don't run waitings lists for courses. As all courses are paid for at the time of booking cancellations usually don't happen that often and I find waiting lists difficult and time consuming to manage. You can however sign up to my mailing list where I will share details of new courses when they are added and I will also send out a quick notification email if a place becomes available on a fully booked session. So you will get a heads up before I put a shout out on social media. 

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What's the difference between a 1 day workshop and a full 10 week course? - The main difference is that with a 1 day workshop the emphasis is on making a piece of jewellery to take home. So while you will learn some techniques we don't cover them in great depth. On a full 10 week course the emphasis is on learning so we do lots of practice, cover lots of basic skills and you'll learn in greater depth.  A skills based workshop is not aimed at beginners and is usually aimed at learners who have attended a 10 week course or similar intensive course plus done lots of practicing in their own time. If you have attended lots of 1 day workshops (not just a couple) then that may be considered enough experience however please check first if in doubt. 

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I've done a couple of 1 day sessions, can I go straight to the intermediate course? - During the beginners course we cover lots of skills and in much greater depth than we do on 1 day sessions. A 1 day session will provide between 3 - 5 hrs of jewellery making time where as a 10 week course will give you 20 hrs.  I would therefor recommend you still start with the beginners course. If you are competent in texturing metal, saw piecing metal, measuring a ring to size, soldering (including joining 2 components together) and bezel setting a stone then you are probably ok to go straight to the returners course (competent would be someone who can do these tasks independently).  The returners course is a lot less structured than the beginners course so you will need to have an idea of the kind of projects you'd like to complete and should be able to do the above skills pretty much independently or with minimal support. Anyone who has done no prior training or minimal training from free online sources will be required to book a beginners course or follow the beginners scheme of work if booking the mixed ability class. If in doubt feel free to send me a message. 

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Do you offer private workshops/group bookings?- It is sometimes possible to arrange either private 1 to 1 sessions or group bookings however availability for this is very limited due to the existing timetable/teaching commitments. Workshops with small numbers will incur additional charges on top of the chosen workshop. Larger groups (up to a maximum of around 10 depending on the workshop chosen) are charged at a set rate of session/class x number attending. For example 10 people attending a simple ring workshop would be charged the usual rate of £45 x 10 people. Additional charges are applied to numbers below 5 at various different levels. Please contact me via email to discuss this. 

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Do you offer groups/parties for a group of school age children? - at the moment this is not something I offer. Anyone attending under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult who is also booked onto the course. The adult to minor ratio ideally should be 1 adult per minor or 1 adult to 2 minors providing the adult is happy to be responsible for helping both younger people.  

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I have booked a place for someone as a gift, can I come along and just observe? unfortunately only people booked onto a course are allowed to be present during a workshop.  If you wish to attend with someone an additional space must be booked. 

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Are dogs permitted in the workshop?- Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the workshop due to it being a workshop environment with potential metal debris on the floor which could be harmful for dogs.  Please be aware that the landlord who lives on site and several other tenants do have dogs. They are all friendly but keep this in mind if you have any issues with dogs as they do sometimes roam the site. They won't have access to the workshop though. 

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Are babies in a pushchair or baby seat permitted during a workshop? - Unfortunately this is not permitted for various health and safety reasons. (eg: It can get very loud with lots of hammering and noise which could be harmful to babies ears)

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Is there a shop/retail area that I can visit in order to look at and possibly buy jewellery? - The majority of my jewellery to buy is all available online rather than 'in person'.  I have very few items available at the workshop and while students attending classes can see available stock (the items shown on the 'Jewellery shop' page), I am unable to take visitors dropping in. On days when the workshop is open there is always a class taking place so it is not possible to receive visitors or deal with sales at this time. I do also have a range of jewellery available to buy at www.cheshirejewellerycompany.co.uk, however non of this range is stored onsite and any orders places are posted to the buyer. If you are due to attend a class and wish to collect a purchase you have made online, please advise me so that I can have the item available for pick up.  

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Is the workshop wheelchair friendly? - once inside the workshop the unit is all one level. There is a small step up into the workshop and I can place a ramp there to access the space on request.  Due to the fact it is a temporary ramp it is really only suitable for manually operated wheelchairs as it can be difficult for electric wheelchairs to navigate. However the main issue is the toilet inside the workshop has insufficient room for a wheelchair. The site as a whole is also probably not that suitable for a wheelchair due to several uneven gravel paths and walkways. If you are able to walk a short distance there is a very small parking area close to the workshop which will reduce the need for walking too far on uneven surfaces. For safety reasons the soldering area within the workshop is separate to the main workbenches so some movement around the room will be necessary during the class. Jewellers workbenches are higher than regular tables as are the workbenches in the classroom so please consider this when booking. While you will need to be seated on a stool during some of the class (stools have no backs) you will need to be able to move around the room a little. 

 

Craft based workshops such as resin, glass, beaded jewellery, enamel jewellery and silver clay take place around a large high craft table around 1m high with a higher bar stool type chair with a back. 

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In a nutshell, manual wheelchairs can access the workshop but please be aware the paths around the site are uneven. Ideally some limited movement would be required. If in doubt please contact me via email to discuss any potential issues. 

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