Silversmiths find creativity

Mrs Kath Hamilton has been working away at the craft of silversmithing for many years and shares her love of working with silver with a growing number of interested potential silversmiths.

“I became interested in silversmithing many years ago”, said Kath.

“A friend had just started and invited a few people along to have a go and I went.”

That was the start of a love affair with the art of working with silver.

“From there I attended the NSW University Summer School on silversmithing, several times, and they were my summer holidays”, recalled Kath.

“I make anything out of silver, forging, or doming where you hollow items, like shaping spoons.

“I can turn my hand to a wide range of small silver items.”

Kath has found interest among others in silversmithing and has been teaching interested people for several years.

“I started by accident with the School of the Air Distance Education. I was asked to go out to a place halfway between Brewarrina and Walgett and take a workshop.

“I was still working as teacher at Wee Waa Primary at the time.

“We came back from Tamworth in 2010, after I had retired in 2000.

“I had a dedicated workshop in Brisbane for three years where I attended the goldsmith’s school” adds Kath.

She is equally fascinated with working with gold.

“Gold works exactly the same as silver.

“But you catch every filing of gold with a collector under the workbench.

“I just love the feel of silver, and going through the facets of making items with it.

“I compare the craft to life, hard and soft patches.

“I find working with silver a balm,” says Kath.

“I can go out and be lost in my work, the way people lose themselves in music”.

“I become totally absorbed in it.”

Kath buys her ‘raw material’ silver  in wire and plate to provide the basics.

And she is happy to share her love of  working in silver.

“I am always interested in hearing from people who want to learn about silversmithing,” adds Kath.

“I have courses starting again next year through the Narrabri Community College but I also do private classes.”

Kath gives her hand made items away and sells some.

“I wear very little - just a ring I made at the goldsmith’s school, the first I made.”

Kath’s students must be prepared to do their best work.

“I can’t tolerate sloppy work - if you are going to make something in silver you must make it worthwhile,” she insists.

Meanwhile, among her current private students are a group who have only recently arrived in Narrabri.

“They are finding all these interesting things to do in Narrabri.

“They said we couldn’t even do this (silversmithing) in Sydney.

“They have found there are many interesting and rewarding things to do in the country.”