12 March - Full day beginners silver clay workshop (£120 per person)

Learn the art of fine silver jewellery making, using the alchemy of silver clay, an eco-friendly and fun way to make silver jewellery. Take inspiration from the textures found in nature to make beautiful and truly unique piece of jewellery. With no more than four people per class, 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 is a small and relaxed class held in Rebecca Oxenham's jewellery making studio. At the end of the day you will celebrate with a glass of Prosecco or non alcoholic alternative.  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND  

This course is suitable for learners with no previous knowledge of working with silver clay 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.  

WHAT'S INCLUDED  

- 7g of silver clay (enough to make a pendant or pair of drop earrings) 

- Fixings, and wire for drop earrings or a silver chain. 

- Use of all equipment needed from the studio 

- A step by step detailed instruction booklet (which you can take home) 

- Tea, coffee and biscuits 

- A glass of prosecco or non alcoholic alternative to celebrate the day at the end  

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY  

You’ll spend the morning learning about silver clay, designing your piece, texturing, filing and sanding then leaving it to dry, before eating your picnic. In the afternoon, you will fire your piece using a jewellers torch then sanding, polishing and finish it by attaching your fixings such as a chain or ear wires.  

ITINARY 

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 create 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. 

13.00 While the clay is drying students take a break to have a picnic either in the garden (weather permitting) or within the studio space. (There are nearby shops if students need to pop out). 

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 then finish their pieces to get the look they desire– if required applying a patina effect or polishing to a high shine. Students are shown how to attach their charms to ear wires or a chain or neck cord. 15.30 Students finish off with a glass of prosecco or non-alcoholic alternative while they admire everyone’s the jewellery made in the class. Rebecca then explains how to care for the jewellery. 

16.00 Students leave for the day.  

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING 

 

- A packed lunch and any extra drinks 

- An apron if you have one 

- Ideally closed toe shoes 

- Hairband (to tie hair back while firing) 

- Facemask or visor (depending on the latest government guidance).  

PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES 

- Minimum age: 12 (under 18s must be accompanied by a participating adult)

 - There is no wheelchair access to the workroom which is at the end of the garden

 - The workshop is in Bitterne Park in Southampton.  

- There is parking on the road (if it gets busy there is also a car park close by on Manor Farm Road  

- Full joining instructions will be sent in advance of the course.

- Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. Start dates may be amended on request.

- £120 per person

ABOUT YOUR TUTOR - REBECCA OXENHAM 

Rebecca works out of her studio at the end of her garden in Hampshire, England. The jewellery created is inspired by her passion for nature and she is committed to supporting biodiversity and protecting the environment. She uses recycled materials such as silver clay which is an 100% recycled product made from recycled silver which is ground up to a fine powder and mixed with a binder. When fired it becomes solid fine silver. Using recycled silver helps to limit the use of child labour in mines as well as the amount of metals that must be produced. This leads to less waste in landfills and helps to slow the consumption and deterioration of natural resources.  

Rebecca studied at the Cornwall School for Art Craft and Jewellery for her Level One, Art Clay Diploma Certification in Silver Clay. This is a world-wide, recognised qualification, administered by the official distributors of Art Clay in Europe. She is also a member of AMCAW (Association of Metal Clay Artists Worldwide) and GOJD (Guild of Jewellery Designers).  

LOCATION  

The course is held at Rebecca's Garden Studio in Bitterne Park, Southampton. There is parking on the road (if it gets busy there is also a car park close by on Manor Farm Road (near the junction of Dimond Road and next to Riverside Park).