Copper Christmas Decorations

Design and make your own copper or aluminium Christmas decorations.

No experience is required but fun with hammers and tools will definitely be had! There’s no need to be traditional and hang baubles, stars and bells from your tree this year, why not decorate with a heart or a profile of your beloved pet, or even your loved ones initials?

During this metalworking workshop you will create a set of 3-6 unique copper Christmas decorations. These festive treats can then be hung from the Christmas tree or linked onto a ribbon to make a festive garland.

You will start by drawing your designs onto the copper sheet and then sawing the shapes out using a jeweller’s saw. The next step is to use the gas torch to anneal (soften) the metal and then texture will be added by hammering, rolling, impressing and stamping. 

The next step is to slightly dome the shapes, by hitting them with a mallet over a domed metal form, to give them more of a 3-dimensional form. After a final surface finish a hole will then be punched before threading onto a decorative cord or ribbon, ready to hang.

Tutor Emma-Jane Rule is an award winning Contemporary Metalsmith and Silversmith, with a workshop at StudionAme in Leicester. She is a member of Design-Nation and has exhibited nationally at contemporary art, craft and design events.

Her handcrafted contemporary metalwork is created using traditional silversmithing skills as well as a metalworking technique called fold forming. This involves folding sheets of metal and using hammer blows to stretch certain areas, when unfolded and manipulated by hand they are transformed into three dimensional forms. Taking inspiration from the rhythms and patterns found in nature, Emma-Jane’s portfolio includes decorative vessels and wall art in silver and base metals, lighting and jewellery.

This one-day workshop starts at 10.30am and ends at 4pm, with half an hour break for lunch. Our café will be open or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments.

All materials will be provided. Please wear shoes or boots that do not have open toes and old clothes, or bring an apron if you prefer.

Participants must be aged 18+.

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us.