Training for the best

One week of individual lessons

The engraving course

I teach the technique of hand engraving in my workshop in Croatia on the island of Brač.

The more laser devices, 3D printers and CNC machines intervene in jewelry production, the greater the desire for individuality and handmade objects becomes - be it jewelry or devices such as knives, writing objects, lighters or musical instruments.

Before the class

No previous knowledge is required; interest in the subject is sufficient. It has been shown that those who have landed on this page are sufficiently inquisitive and have therefore already acquired the necessary key qualifications and prior knowledge - my training courses are aimed at interested beginners through to advanced users and metal art professionals.
The training addresses the individual level of knowledge and wishes of the students.

After the class

Depending on the task (their own or the customer's specifications), the students are able to create a time frame for the upcoming project after a course in order to formulate a binding cost estimate for possible customers on this basis. The students are able to design motifs and, after sufficient training in practice objects and self-control, integrate them into the object to be engraved from a design perspective. You can transfer and/or mirror this design draft onto the object.
For the following necessary work steps, the students prepare their tools themselves as far as possible. The workpiece is fixed securely and protected; the workplace is set up.
The design is cut and the project is finished taking into account occupational safety. Finally, the work steps are documented and the work is photographed.

Key points about the engraving course :

• Elements of graver geometry, their production and graver sharpening
• Manufacture of gravers: 120°, 105°, 90° and flat and round gravers
• Design by hand or on the PC
• Design transfer PC/metal and metal/metal - transferring and/or mirroring the designs onto the object to be engraved
• “background-removing” with self-made milling cutters and “black-ending” the engraving
• Engraving in precious metals, brass, nickel silver, steel and wood
• Air pressure-controlled engravings and/or hand-push engraving
• Old School Hammer and Chisel Engraving
• Inlay work (e.g. gold or copper in steel or brass)
• Manufacture of a grain iron made of silver steel 1.2210
• Hardening and tempering of silver steel 1.2210
• Tool care, occupational safety and accident prevention
• Fixing objects in putty, Thermo-Loc from GRS and polymer plastics
• cross over - engraving by hand and setting gemstones are closely related - as a jewel and gemstone setter, I teach combinations of both techniques upon request.
• on request watch engraving - hand engravings on watches, movement plates and bracelets (no Doublè)
• Engraving on straight and curved surfaces e.g. writing engravings on and in rings
• Setting up and adjusting a binocular microscope. Head magnifiers can be used if desired.
• fingerprint engraving on request
• how to - tips and tricks from everyday life as an engraver
• Engravings and inlay work in precious metals, brass and steel
• Buying advice for tools and materials
• Work documentation and jewelry photography - the perfect engraving of the best design is of no use to anyone if it is not presented appropriately and put in the right light.
• Pricing for engraving work - where do I get jobs and how much can I charge for them? We don't do this as a hobby - after all, my participants want to “recoup” the course fees and tool costs ;-)

Or to put it another way: could it be a little more intense?

Among other things, I work with devices from the GRS brand (GraverMax G8, GraverMach AT with patented Airtact handpiece, engraving balls and turntable) and ARTGRAVER HH-AT01 on a microscope workstation and compressed air-assisted gravers. The student can continuously follow my work via a monitor and directly implement what they have learned at the fully equipped training workstation. The training workstation is also equipped with a video system on the stereo microscope, which enables me to correct the student's work immediately if necessary .

Only 1:1 training takes place in individual lessons .

A course lasts from Monday to Friday and includes 40 hours of work. The practice and sample pieces are part of the free training material and can be taken along by the student. A small selection of works can be found on the hand engravings page

Bernd Alexander Mansholt - References

• Master gold and silversmith
• Jewel and gemstone setters
• Gemmological training, colored stones and diamond appraisers (DGG)
• Training and further education as a hand engraver in Lousiana/USA with the GRS instructor and FEGA master engraver Sam Alfano
• decades of experience in education, courses and training

Please request an appointment by phone or WhatsApp on +49 (0)1577 3060307 or by email at info@goldschmiede-mansholt.de

Frequently asked questions:

Can I also bring my own material or jewelry to the engraving course?
We are happy to engrave jewelry or equipment you bring with you . I think all students bring something with them. Exceptions are pieces made of hardened steel (knife blades, special tools) or doubled material. If in doubt, just bring it with you first - we'll take a look.

Is there a rigid weekly work schedule or can my ideas and wishes be incorporated into the training?
As requested: The course is tailored entirely to my students. After an introduction to the workshop, occupational safety and the workplace, a preliminary discussion will clarify which direction the creative journey should take. There are participants who would like to be guided, others have their own ideas.

How long does a course like this last?
An engraving course usually lasts one working week from Monday to Friday and includes 40 hours of work from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in individual lessons. Exceptions - and these are the rule - by arrangement.

From Monday to Friday, nine to six doesn't really suit me in terms of time...
Then we'll make it fit. Are you flexible in terms of time and other things? Great, me too! We schedule in a fast-moving time and adapt the material to the general conditions or vice versa.

Where does the course take place?
The courses take place in my workshop in Croatia on the island of Brač. A holiday apartment for up to four guests is available (discuss availability).

I'm afraid that working for a long time at the microscope will be very tiring for me....?
It is not so. When working with the binocular microscope, the eye muscles are essentially set to “infinity” and allow fatigue-free working for a longer period of time without any problems. What my course participants find rather strenuous is the fine work in the often extraordinarily detailed design, which is due to the concentration required. This fatigue is a normal process and experience shows that it subsides noticeably after a few days of getting used to it . There are also head magnifying glasses. And if all else fails, we go for a swim, the sea and the beach are only five minutes away from the workshop.

I have no goldsmith training and no previous training in engraving. Does such a course still make sense?
In any case. After completing an intensive engraving course, my students are able to independently create professional-quality engravings.

Are photos allowed to be taken in the workshop?
You are welcome to take photos and videos for documentation and souvenirs.

Can I buy materials such as gold, silver or stones during the course?
Basically, you don't need to purchase anything additional for the course itself, but if you want something, you can see what you like.

You also offer courses in gemstone cutting and setting. Could I also grind a stone myself in the engraving course and then set it in metal myself?
Yes, I have already done that. When you're here, I'm completely yours and we can do whatever we want with this time.

How much does the course cost?
The one-week training costs 2,250 euros plus VAT of 427.50 euros, totaling 2,677.50 euros. Samples and engraving plates as well as normal consumables are included. Nothing needs to be purchased separately.

A week of lessons isn't particularly long. Is that enough to be able to carry out engravings independently?
Yes. I teach the desired techniques and the “how to”. I show and check whether the students are on the right path and give appropriate feedback. The week can be strenuous and is packed with information and practical exercises. But it doesn't work without subsequent practice. The students should later deepen what they have learned in their own workshop and also practice self-control. This doesn't have to be done with the tools used in my workshop, but you should continue to deal with the material in order to get better and deepen and expand your skills. Conclusion: It is certainly not necessary to book the one-week intensive course twice, but you should “stay tuned” to the topic. Stay on the ball, practice makes perfect.
We will stay in touch if any questions arise later.

I come from far away. How do I get there, where can I stay?

When arriving by plane:
1.) You end up in Split
2.) The airport bus is waiting for you directly in front of the terminal. He will take you to the ferry dock in Split.
3.) You buy a ticket for the ferry to Supetar on Split.
4.) In Supetar we will pick you up from the ferry by car. That's it for you, relax, from now on you don't have to worry about anything.

If you arrive by car:
1.) You enter “Split” into the navigation system
2.) You take the car ferry 50 minutes from Split to Supetar on the island of Brac
3.) You enter "Pucisca" (zip code 21412) into the navigation system and drive 25 kilometers along a picturesque coastal road or we will meet you at the ferry and you follow us.
4.) You're on vacation and still learning something.

If you arrive by train or long-distance bus:
1.) You guessed it, right, you're going to Split. The train station and the bus station are located directly at the ferry pier.
2.) You buy a ticket for the ferry to Supetar on Split.
4.) In Supetar we will pick you up and your luggage from the ferry by car.

When arriving by sailing ship:
1.) You enter N43°20`52.692" E016°43`58.908" into the navigation system.
2.) Call us when your ship is in front of the island. There are no particular danger points when entering the bay.

A holiday apartment for up to four guests is available and we offer it via the booking platform Airbnb. In the event that the apartment is not available on the desired course date, we can offer alternatives locally.

This is what Wikipedia writes about the holiday resort: Pučišća is a community and a place on the island Brač in the Split-Dalmatia County in Croatia . Pučišća is often mentioned in lists about the most beautiful little places in Europe. The place is mainly for his white limestone from the local ones quarries and for his Stonemasonry known. Pučišća has a population of 1351 inhabitants according to the 2021 census, while the municipality ... etc.

How do we find an appointment?
The easiest way for us to find an appointment is for me to make a few suggested appointments within a desired time frame.

There is a calendar with free dates here: Calendar

How do I pay?

In short: deposit 500 euros, the rest before the start of the course by bank transfer or here on site before the start of the course in cash or online transfer.

Lang: Here is an excerpt from the general terms and conditions and customer information:
".... 5.6. Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit of 500 euros is due when booking a course. The remaining amount must be transferred by the date of the course at the latest or paid on site before the start of the course, otherwise there is no entitlement to participation.
5.7. If course participants cancel the course, they are not entitled to a refund of payments already made.
5.8. In the event of illness of the course instructor, the course fee will be refunded if a new date cannot be found for the course to take place.
5.9. If you do not show up for a booked course, you are not entitled to a refund of any deposit that has already been paid. ....."

How much advance notice should I take into account when planning appointments?
I'm often asked this and it's always difficult to answer. Roughly speaking, between three to six months and a year. My Google calendar provides an initial overview , in which safely assigned appointments are marked in red. However, this does not automatically mean that the appointments that are not marked in red are still free (private appointments, vacations, etc.). It is best to inquire about free appointments by email or telephone.

I have another question that isn't answered here...
Phone or WhatsApp + 49 441 9608880 or email info@goldschmiede-mansholt.de

And if I have a question after the course that I forgot to ask...?
We usually stay in touch afterwards via WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram or Threema (or as before by phone + 49 441 9608880 or email info@goldschmiede-mansholt.de )

Until then, I look forward to seeing you!