|
|
|
Create your own personalised charm bracelet.
Bring together a group of friends and spend an evening creating personally designed jewellery.
Or spend a weekend in the countryside, learning about silver clay in a lovely relaxing environment, away from stress and distractions.
|
|
|
At SilverClay we run jewellery making courses and workshops; anything from an afternoon introducing you to the material, to advanced Art Clay Certifications. For those who have already taken classes from, for instance Silver Alchemy in the UK, or PMC teachers in the US, we also hold PMC crossover workshops, allowing you to become an Art Clay Level 1 Instructor.
Certificaiton courses are run by Petra, one of the first to achieve Senior Teacher Certification in the UK, who were taught directly by Master Instructors from Aida Chemical Industries, Japan. Speciality classes are run by Petra, and/or Lisa Bonfield, our Level 1 Instructor.
The courses are held right in the middle of the picturesque village of Corfe Castle. The classes are relaxed, and are kept small to ensure that each student gets enough time to ask their questions and get one-to-one attention. Coffee, tea, cold drinks, plenty of biscuits (and the occasional chocolate cake), is included in all the courses. For lunch you'll find a National Trust tea shop, two pubs, one restaurant, and a bakery just outside the studio. You'll find more information on Corfe Castle and Dorset here.
We base our certification courses on the curriculum developed in Japan by the DAC Creative Studios of Aida Chemical Industries. This ensures that your certification will be recognised worldwide. The certification courses have been planned carefully to assure a quality programme. There are two levels of certification; Level 1 and 2.
New course dates are added regularly. I would recommend that you don't wait too long if you find a date that suits you. The courses fill up fast. Any new courses, or last-minute free spaces, will be announced in the newsletter. If you haven't already signed up for it, you can do so here: sign up for our SilverClay Newsletter.
We try to update the website regularly with availability, but as sometimes the courses book up quickly, we can't guarantee a space until you receive a confirmation letter by email or post (not the same as the confirmation of your order).
|
 |
SilverClay course gift voucher
If you want to treat someone to a course at SilverClay this is the ideal option. A open-dated gift voucher to attend one of our one-day "Introduction to Art Clay" courses, allowing the recipient to chose his or her own date.
The voucher is valid for 6 months after issue date. It can't be exchanged for money or other items.
|
 |
NEW - BronzClay™ Introduction Course
BronzClay is the newest exciting addition to the growing metal clay family. And it is exactly what it sounds like; bronze clay. You use it like silver clay, but you end up with bronze, not silver. The whole process is very similar to silver clay, but there are differences, in how it feels (both when wet and dry), and also how it fires.
There are some fabulous patina effects straight out of the kiln, you can keep these for a antique 'dug-out-of-the-ground-artifact' look, or polish it up to a gorgeous high shine. Stunning combined with silver. The bronze clay is very flexible when dry, you can really alter the shape in the dry stage. It carves very well.
During this one day class we'll go through the basics about BronzClay. We'll be working with textures, building 3D shapes, and moulds. We'll discuss some do's and don'ts about combining Bronze and Silver Clay, and we'll go through firing. You'll have 200 gm of BRONZClay to work with, so you'll probably have some left to take home!
The course fee includes 200gm bronze clay and loan of tools. And non-stop coffee, tea and biscuits.
Time:
11am – 5pm including lunch break
|
| |
NEW - BronzClay™ ONE-DAY Introduction Course
A one-day class introducing you to BRONZClay, ideal if you can't take two days off.
As firing is done over night, so your pieces will be posted to you for finishing (we can tumble finish them for you before posting if you like). We will demonstrate different finishes, and how to achieve them so you can do this at home after the class.
You'll have 100 gm of BRONZClat to work with, so you'll probably have some left to take home. The course fee includes 100gm bronze clay and loan of tools. And non-stop coffee, tea and biscuits.
Time:
11am – 5pm including lunch break
|
 |
Art Clay Introduction Course
This course gets you started with Art Clay and can be taken even if you have no previous knowledge of the material. After the course you should feel comfortable working with the metal clay on your own.
We’ll be going through the basic techniques of handling the clay, shaping and forming it, firing times and temperatures. You’ll also get to try the syringe and setting stones.
You’ll leave with up to 4 finished pieces of fine silver jewellery. The course fee includes 17gm of Art Clay Silver 650 clay, a couple of lab-created gemstones, use of syringe, and loan of tools. And non-stop coffee, tea and biscuits.
Time:
11am – 5pm including lunch break
|
 |
Magical Moulds
This course gets you started with Art Clay and can be taken even if you have no previous knowledge of the material. After the course you should feel comfortable working with the metal clay on your own.
Moulds can be used for creating replicas of existing items, 3D silver shapes, and also for making your own texture sheets.
In this class you'll learn how to make your own moulds, how to create high quality imprints, and how to capture the mould in silver clay. We'll also briefly go through basic metal clay techniques. We'll talk about different types of moulding compounds, and how they're best used.
Bring your own interesting textures and shapes to make moulds from, like: old buttons, toys, dolls face, sea shells, nuts, fork handles, old jewellery, stones, bark - anything with an interesting texture or shape. We'll also have items available for mould making here, together with ready-made moulds.
The course fee includes 20gm Art Clay Silver 650 clay, a couple of lab-created gemstones, use of moulding compound and loan of tools. And non-stop coffee, tea and biscuits.
Time:
11am – 5pm including lunch break
|
 |
NEW!! - UV Resin and Art Clay
This fabulous one-day class will introduce you to UV resin - a fantastic new way to add colour to your silver. As far as we're aware, SilverClay is the only place in the UK covering this new technique. The UV resin can be used crystal clear, or with added colour, transparent or opaque. It can be set on the fired silver, looking similar to enamel. You can set the resin in open sections of the silver, creating a stained (or clear) glass effect. Just like normal resin, you can also trap items into the resin, creating wonderful mementos.
The UV resin is different from normal resin in that it doesn't have to mixed to exact quantities, doesn't smell, and cures in minutes rather than hours! You'll have 10g of silver clay to work with, from this you could make a large pendant, a pair of earrings, or several smaller charms. All the resin you need will be available for use, together with a wide range of colours.
We’ll be going through how to use the resin, how to add colour, trapping items in the resin, curing times, and finishing. You don't need metal clay experience for this day, if you're a complete beginner we'll just help you to make a simpler shape to use as your base. But, the day is also perfect for someone who has worked with metal clay for a long time and want to add a new skill to their repertoire. You can also bring a piece that you would like to add resin to, if you would like to make a more advanced piece of silver - as we have limited time in the morning.
Why not combine this with the enamelling class to make a whole colourful weekend out of it?
Time:
10am-5pm
|
| |
Keum-Boo, Silver and Gold combined.
Keum-Boo is the traditional Korean Technique of fusing gold to metal, in this case silver. It is a lovely technique to learn, fun to work with, and it allows you to decorate your silver whilst adding value to it.
We'll work with pure gold foil, which we'll fuse to the finished silver. In the morning we'll make the base pieces from metal clay, and after lunch we'll add the gold using an UltraLite Kiln. We'll also discuss how to use this technique with a torch, hotplate, or kiln. After the gold is added we'll finish the pieces and you can also work with Liver of Sulphur to further enhance the piece.
You need metal clay experience for this class.
20g of Art Clay Silver, a sheet of 24ct fusing gold foil, and findings (jumprings and a sterling silver necklace chain, or ear wires) are included. Tools and a library of inspirational metal clay books are available.
Time:
10am-5pm
|
| |
Fingerprint Charms
Make your own precious memory charms with fingerprints.
In this class we'll go through how to make your own fingerprint jewellery. Fingerprint jewellery has become extremely popular over the last couple of years, and here we show you how to do it yourself. The fingerprint charms made from childrens prints make perfect gifts to mum and dads and grandparents. Capture a print as a memory of a special occassion.
We'll show you the very basics of metal clay to create a simple charm, and then how to capture a fingerprint, and also how to add names and dates if wanted.
Suitable for beginners.
Included in the class kit is 10g of Art Clay Silver and a sterling silver necklace chain.
Time: 11am-5pm
|
 |
NEW!! - Paper Type Lantern Charms
Use Paper Type silver to make two adorable little lantern charms, the perfect size for earrings. We'll be using traditional origami techniques to fold the Paper Type, to fold a piece which shows of the Art Clay Silver Paper Type to its real beauty, whilst still produces a very strong result. We'll decorate the finished piece with beads and silver wire.
We’ll be going through how to use the Paper, firing, and finishing, and also simple wire working skills. You don't need metal clay experience for this day. But, the day is also perfect for someone who has worked with metal clay for a long time and want to add a new skill to their repertoire. You'll leave with a completed pair of earrings (or if you prefer, two separate charms).
You need to bring pliers, flat nose, round nose and cutters. If you don't have any tools, please get in touch and we'll try to help. The photo shows one version of the lanterns, wihtout the beads added.
Time:
11am-5pm
|
 |
Ring Making Workshop
If you have a little metal clay experience and want to learn something new, this is the perfect full-day workshop for you. It is also suitable for confident beginners! Making rings is a little trickier than rolling out clay and making flat shapes, but with a little hand-holding even a beginner will be fine.
You'll learn about sizing, forming and joining a ring shank. We’ll be going through the basic techniques on handling the clay, shaping and forming it, drying, decorating, firing and polishing to a professional finish. During the day you'll make two rings, using two different techniques.
You’ll leave with two finished fine silver rings, ready to wear or give to someone special. A total of 14gm silver clay (7gm Art Clay 650 Slow Dry and 7gm Art Clay 650) is included.
Time:
10pm - 5pm
|
 |
Enamelling for beginners
This specialist workshop will introduce you to the fascinating world of enamels. Add colour and depth to your jewellery by fusing coloured glass to the surface. We'll start by making a pendant base, and after a relaxed lunch we'll apply the enamels.
We’ll be going through the basics about enamelling, how to prepare your enamels, how to prepare the silver, applying the enamel, firing, and finishing.
You’ll leave with a finished piece of enamelled fine silver jewellery, ready to wear or give to someone special. The course fee includes 10g of Art Clay 650, selection of enamels (there should be some left to take home), sterling silver findings (pair earring hooks or a necklace chain, and jump ring), loan of tools, and written information. And non-stop coffee and tea.
To get the most out of this day you need metal clay experience.
Time:
10pm - 5.00pm
|
 |
Level 1 Certification Course
The Level 1 Art Clay Instructor Certification course runs over three days and provides a wide base of knowledge.
When you finish this very intense course, you should have a good working knowledge of the different Art Clay Silver products available, the basic techniques on how to work with them, embellishing your pieces with stones and findings, firing temperatures and times, and how to give your work a professional finished look.
You will learn about making rings, creating hollow shapes using cork clay, adding fine silver findings, setting stones and pearls, using the syringe for filigree work, and how to burnish and polish your pieces.
After successfully completing seven projects you will receive your certificate, which gives you a 20% discount on silver clay from us. If you do not successfully complete your 7 certification pieces in the class, you are required to re-do and submit pieces after the class. The certification also entitles you to teach Art Clay Introductory Courses with the support of Art Clay World UK.
Course cost includes all material, a complete tool kit to keep, and the Art Clay Silver Basics book.
To get the most out of this course, you must have metal clay experience. If you don't feel comfortable working with metal clay you will struggle to complete the pieces to a high enough standard in the allocated course time. If you have worked a lot with the clay, you'll be able to enjoy the class, absorb and learn new techniques - you won't be struggling with the clay, trying to achieve a certain shape.Please note that just taking a beginner's class or two will not be enough, you need to have worked further with the clay.
Time:
10am – 5.30pm including lunch break
|
 |
Level 2 Certification Course
If you are serious about teaching, or just want a really good knowledge of working with metal clay, then Level 2 is for you. This course runs over four days and, after completion, you can run your own Introduction, Level 1 and Level 2 Certification Courses with support of Art Clay World UK.
This course builds on what you learnt in Level 1; we go through more advanced techniques, and more about decorating your Art Clay pieces with other materials, such as gold foil, glass, and bezel setting of natural stones. We'll do some simple glass fusing, and you'll also work with Art Clay Gold Paste.
It is the perfect course for someone who is Level 1 certified and who has been running classes, or produced metal clay jewellery for a while after the first certification.
To complete your Level 2 Certification you need proof of access to a kiln, and you are required to submit three certification pieces after the course. Level 2 Certification gives you a 36% discount on the silver clay.
The course cost includes all material; Silver Clay, glass, lab-created and natural stones, findings, and a small additional toolkit to build on your level 1 kit, and the new Art Clay Advanced Book.You need to have completed Level 1 certification to take this course. We also recommend you work with the clay more after the Level 1 certification. This is an advanced techniques course, and you must be comfortable working with metal clay.
Time:
10am – 5.30pm including lunch break
|
|
© Petra Lyon Ltd 2006, 2007, 2008
|
|
