Full day beginners stud earrings silver clay workshop

Description

Learn the art of fine silver jewellery making using the alchemy of silver clay combined with traditional soldering techniques. Come away with approx 2-3 pairs (depending on size) of stud earrings or drop earrings. Learn the art of fine silver jewellery making, using the alchemy of silver clay, combined traditional silversmithing techniques to solder silver posts or wires to the back. Take inspiration from the textures found in nature to make beautiful and truly unique stud earrings or a set with a pendant and matching earrings. All skill levels are catered for, and you’ll get as much guidance as you need. Silver clay is a relatively new product that can be worked like clay and yet is made of pure silver particles, with a binder and water. When it is fired the result is a pure silver piece which is of fine silver hallmark quality. This course is suitable for learners with no previous knowledge of working with silver clay or silversmithing, or those with experience with other forms of jewellery making. It is also suitable for those with no experience yet of crafts or creative activities. Most important is a desire to learn and experiment with the materials. The workshop room is wheelchair friendly. The bathroom is accessible as are the doors. There is parking right outside for a wheelchair user if required. In this workshop, you will learn how to: - Roll and pattern clay using texture sheets and leaves. - Cut shapes freeland or using cutters. - Smoothing imperfections and sanding - Make neat holes for jump rings and drill if the holes are too small- - How to dry your clay and how to tell if it is dry - Prepare your piece for the transformative firing process - Firing your pieces using a hand held jewellers torch - Combine silver clay and silversmithing by soldering stud backs or wires to your pieces. -Hand polishing your pieces using 3M polishing papers. - If desired, you'll have the option to apply Liver of Sulphur to create a patina, accentuating the intricate textures you've chosen. This chemical process oxidises the surface, darkening the silver, or you can opt not to use it and your hallmark quality silver jewellery will remain untarnished. Agenda: 10.00 Arrival with tea or coffee we will introduce ourselves, discuss the itinerary and have a look and talk through the examples of jewellery that can be made. 10.30 Students are talked through the tools in the studio and told a bit about the history of silver clay, its eco-friendly properties, shrinkage and how it all works. The tutor demonstrates what to look for when creating replica leaf jewellery and which types of leaves are best and does a demonstration of how to use moulds of acorns or shells. 11.00 Students then start working on their own designs, from rough sketching and making models before starting work crafting their own designs. 11:30 Students enjoy a break with delicious home made cake 12.30 Students make their pieces and dry them while lunch is eaten. 13.00 A delicious vegetarian lunch is served. 14.00 Students learn to fire their pieces using a gas torch. This is the magical bit where the clay like substance transforms to 99.9% fine silver. After firing, a wire brush is used to brush off the white clay binder residue revealing the solid fine silver beneath. 15.00 Students learn to solder silver posts or wires to their silver clay pieces and remove any fire burn using jewellers pickle. 16.00 Students are taught how to hand polishing their pieces using 3M polishing papers to achieve a high shine and attaching their pieces to ear wires. 16.30 Students finish for the day. Guidelines: - Accommodation is not included in this workshop. If you require information on accommodation nearby please get in touch. - The workshop room is wheelchair friendly. The bathroom is accessible as are the doors. There is parking right outside for a wheelchair user if required. - Full joining instructions will be sent one week in advance of the workshop. - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. See my terms and conditions. - Chains and gift boxes will be available to purchase on the day at an additional cost.

What's included in the price?

- Homemade vegetarian lunch (please make us aware of dietary requirements in advance) - A selection of herbal and breakfast teas as well as freshly ground coffee will be available throughout the day. - Homemade cake - 7g silver clay (99% silver recycled silver). This is enough to make 2 pairs of medium to large stud or drop wire earrings or 3 small studs depending on the size - Sterling silver (92.5% recycled silver) earring posts or wire and silver butterfly backs - Easy solder, flux and jewellers pickle - Use of all equipment needed from the studio - A step by step detailed 22 page instruction booklet (which you can take home) - 15% discount on silver clay from metal clay.co.uk - Access to all the silversmithing and silver clay tools you will need from the studio.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Rebecca Oxenham Jewellery

with Craft Courses since 2021

Message the tutor

Rebecca is a qualified and experienced teacher with all 5 star reviews on Google, Facebook, Trip Advisor, Virgin Experiences and Craft Courses. Rebecca is also a Gold rated tutor with Craft Courses. She holds the Art Clay Diploma in Silver Clay. This is a world-wide, recognised qualification, administered by the official distributors of Art Clay in Europe. She is also an instructor member of AMCAW (Association of Metal Clay Artists Worldwide) and is a member of GOJD (Guild of Jewellery Designers) and ACJ (Association of Contemporary Jewellers). Rebecca also runs a jewellery business (www.rebeccaoxenham.com). Her jewellery is inspired by the Cornish coast and countryside and lovingly handcrafted using recycled silver. It is important to her that her impact upon the environment from which she draws her inspiration is not overly impacted by her actions. Therefore, alongside using recycled precious metals and responsibly sourced gemstones, her packaging is also eco-friendly.