Workshop
Attending this class will teach you how to anneal key steel, hand-make a textured punch or hallmark, and harden and temper steel.
This introduction to tool-making class will be suitable for jewellers looking to take their work to the next level with the addition of a unique texture, developing repousse or making a unique stamp. The skills learned in this class can be applied to many custom tools in your home workshop.
All tools for the class are provided on the day, students are welcome to bring their own kit, particularly if they have a favorite set of fine needle files, a piercing saw and most importantly an optivisor.
Flat-covered shoes are a must, and please wear comfortable clothing suitable for a workshop.
The ticket price of this workshop includes $15 of materials.
A swan neck stamp blank ($20) is available for purchase as an extra during class.
Genre: Workshop
Artist / Tutor: Joel FitzwellDate: 16/04/2025
Price: $180
Venue: NMIT Workshop
Additional skill information: Students should already be making jewellery, this is a complementary skill set for existing jewellers.
Students need to bring: Ideally, students should bring an optivisor and their own needle / escapement files
Joel Fitzwell
Joel Fitzwell is a goldsmith based in Whakatū (Nelson). Working primarily with precious metals, Joel is a process-based maker who enjoys exploring traditional goldsmith techniques like construction, repoussé, granulation, setting and engraving. Joel has an eye for patterns and repetition and often works within self-set parameters, such as setting out limits on size, shape, and material before starting. In addition to his day job as a full-time manufacturing goldsmith at Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmiths, Joel creates contemporary jewellery alongside collaborators Kay van Dyk and Katie Pascoe as part of Project 21.
‘I like making rules before I start a new project. This act helps to provide me with structure regarding the unlimited possibilities of what to make’
Joel completed a Batchelor of Art and Media at NMIT in 2012, majoring in contemporary jewellery and completed a trade certificate in Manufacturing Jewellery with JIRBNZ in 2018.
