Kooralbyn resident Janis Nicklas is offering to teach interested locals how to make silver jewellery

Originally studying anthropology and sociology at university, Ms Nicklas said she decided to take a chance on jewellery making later in life.

"I have always loved jewellery," she said.

"I didn't pursue it as a career because I didn't really know it was an option.

"When I got older and my kids got older, I started taking private lessons, community college lessons and courses at the Ontario College of Art and Design."

Finding the courses enjoyable, Ms Nicklas eventually attained a diploma in metalsmithing and jewellery design from the Haliburton School of the Arts.

The Kooralbyn resident first put her skills to use selling her wares at markets, but then had a change of heart and decided to share her skills through workshops.

"I was doing markets but that was a lot of work and it's not a certain thing," Ms Nicklas said.

"I thought this would be kind of fun and I didn't think anything like this was offered in our community. There's so many things that people can make on their own with some instruction and they're really impressive."

At a recent workshop at the Country Women's Association Hall in Beaudesert, Ms Nicklas said she showed a small group how to create a charm featuring either an initial or their fingerprint.

"I prefer four to six people maximum," she said.

"I need to pay attention to what people are doing."

"I'm hoping to have more workshops on the weekends, with a different project every month. I've rented the CWA Hall in Beaudesert for the first two weekends every month but I can be flexible with that."

Although she often works with sterling silver, for the workshops the Scenic Rim silversmith said she uses Precious Metal Clay, a material with unique properties.

"It's made of micro-particles suspended in an organic binder," Ms Nicklas said.

"You form it, you dry it, you shape it then you fire it and it becomes 99.9 per cent pure silver."

Ms Nicklas said she had ideas for future workshops, but would welcome suggestions from community members about projects she could include.

"I just hope people enjoy it," she said.

"I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of new people, and if anybody has any requests they would like to do just let me know."

For more information about Janis' workshops, or to book get in contact with her by emailing janis@tokendesignstudio.com.au.