Cornwall - Sea glass stone setting with silver clay jewellery (suitable for beginners)

Suitable for Beginners.  Spend a full day learning the art of fine silver jewellery making, using the alchemy of silver clay, an eco-friendly and fun way to make silver jewellery. The workshop will take place in The Sanctuary Cornwall, an award winning off grid eco lodge, set high up in 12 acres of beautiful woodland and with breathtaking views over the Fowey Estuary.

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.

You will be setting sea glass stones (either your own or of mine) in your silver clay to make your own truly unique pendant necklace. You can choose to either texture the silver clay or keep it plain and decorate with little silver clay embellishments such as pebbles or little shells - it’s up to you.

Sea glass is also known as mermaid tears or sea jewels. They are pieces of glass that has become smooth and frosty from being in the sea for at least 25 years. Over this time, they have become lovely gems of softly coloured glass nuggets. Cornwall has some stunning beaches which are great for collecting sea glass and some of the glass found on the workshop will have been collected from nearby beaches.

If you would like to make a weekend of it - I have a separately bookable woodland botanical silver clay jewellery workshop the day before (Saturday 1st June) also held at The Sanctuary Cornwall. If you would like to attend both workshops there is a 15% discount. Contact Rebecca@rebeccaoxenham.com for the voucher code.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is suitable for adult 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 IS INCLUDED:

- Homemade vegetarian lunch (please make us aware of dietary requirements in advance)

- 7g of silver clay/ 99% silver (enough to make one to two pieces of jewellery)

- Lots of tea and coffee

- Homemade cake

- A glass of bubbly or non-alcoholic fizz to celebrate the end of the day

- Findings for your pieces that you make (ie jump rings, wire for drop earrings)

- Moulding compound to make your own mould

- Use of all equipment and materials needed to make your jewellery pieces

- Items found in nature if you haven’t collected your own on the nature walk

- A detailed instruction booklet detailing everything you need to know.

- A glass of bubbly or non-alcoholic fizz to celebrate the end of the day

- A special 15% student discount will be provided after the workshop for your next three purchases of Art Clay silver with metalclay.co.uk if you want to have a go at home.

Please note that accommodation is not included and is separately bookable. There is a 10% discount If you are attending this workshop and book directly with https://thesanctuarycornwall.co.uk using the discount code: Silver10

For more information about alternative accommodation nearby please email rebecca@rebeccaoxenham.com

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY

10.00 A shuttle service from Golant village car park will take you up to The Sanctuary Cornwall where your will be served 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. You tutor will explain about the history of silver clay, its eco-friendly properties, shrinkage and how it all works. The tutor will explain what to look for in nature items when creating replica leaf jewellery.

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 and choosing the sea glass stones.

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 how to make your piece.

11.00 students then start working on their own designs, from rough sketching and making models before starting work crafting their own designs.  Rebecca will demonstrate how to create the setting using fine silver bezel strip, sizing the setting for the stone and embedding it in the clay.

12.00 While the clay is drying students take a break for lunch. (Sometimes this break is cut short to allow for extra making time).

12.30 -13.00 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.

14.30 Students then set the sea glass stones and polish the pendants and add jump ring attachments. Students are shown how to attach their pendant to chain or neck cord.

16.00 Students finish off with a glass of prosecco or non-alcoholic alternative while they admire everyone’s jewellery made in the class. Rebecca then explains how to care for the jewellery.  There will be a shuttle down to the car park for those that need it.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

- Glasses if you wear them (there is some fine detailed work)

- Closed-toe shoes (you will be handling hot metal)

- Hairband (to tie hair back while firing)

- Any sea glass you have collected.

- On warm days bring sun cream because we often picnic in the garden.

- An apron is optional. Silver clay produces a fine white dust which comes off in the washing machine. Fluffy jumpers or dry clean only clothes are not recommended.

PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES

- Minimum age: 16 (under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult)

- Accommodation is not included but it can be booked separately subject to availability on https://thesanctuarycornwall.co.uk. (Don’t forget your 10% discount if attending this workshop and book direct using the voucher code: Silver10

- We ask that you park in the village. A shuttle bus from the village car park will be provided to take people up the very steep and narrow hill to the workshop.

- 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. Please contact rebecca@rebeccaoxenham in advance to discuss your needs.

- 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.

- If you are also attending the sea glass stone setting in silver clay workshop the following day (Sunday 2nd June) there is a 15% discount for booking both workshops. Contact Rebecca@rebeccaoxenham.com for the voucher code.

- Chains will be available to purchase on the day at an additional cost.

ABOUT YOUR TUTOR - REBECCA OXENHAM

Rebecca 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 in her own jewellery designs which is a 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 CSAJ Jewellery School for her Art Clay Diploma Certification in Silver Clay. This is a worldwide, 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) an ACJ (Association of Contemporary Jewellers).

ABOUT THE VENUE – THE SANCTUARY CORNWALL

The Sanctuary Cornwall is an award winning eco lodge that offers an idyllic venue for making nature inspired jewellery. It is located in the picturesque village of Golant just two miles from the town of Fowey. In an area of outstanding beauty, it is set high up a hill nestled among 12 acres of lush woodland and pastureland with stunning views over the Fowey Estuary. The Sanctuary Cornwall provides a comfortable and sustainable zero carbon workshop venue as well as accommodation for those that stay over. The large workshop space itself has floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking estuary views and is light, bright and airy. The doors open out directly to the beautiful outdoor areas and is just a few yards from beautiful woodland.

For those seeking overnight accommodation onsite this is separately bookable at https://thesanctuarycornwall.co.uk/ and it is subject to availability.

There are three comfortable twin or king ensuite bedrooms within the eco-lodge, each benefitting from its own private outdoor seating area and with views overlooking the estuary. In addition, there is one off grid pod within the grounds of the site for guests wanting to be even closer to nature.

The Sanctuary Cornwall does not cater for children so guests can expect a tranquil and quiet setting with only the sounds are birdsong or surrounding wildlife.

GETTING THERE & PARKING

Public transport

he nearest railway station is Par on the main West Coast trainline which has a direct services to and from London Paddington - the fastest takes just under 4 hours.  It is also on the line to Penzance and Newquay. Par station is then just a two-mile taxi, cycle, bus or walk away from the workshop venue. 

By car

Please note that parking at The Sanctuary Cornwall is reserved for guests. We will be offering a shuttle service from the village car park. There is some limited free parking in and around the village. There is also a paid for car park in Golant Village.

From the A30 take the Lostwithiel exit at Bodmin and follow signs to Lostwithiel. You will join the A390 to St Austell, and then take the sign to Fowey – B3269. After about 4 miles you will see a crossroads, and Golant is the left turn. Please make your way to the meeting point which is the village car park where there will be a shuttle service up to The Sanctuary Cornwall.

From the St Austell side of A390, follow signs to Liskeard/Bodmin, until you see the turning to Fowey at a mini roundabout, also signposted Par market. Follow this to Fowey. At the top of the hill at the petrol station turn left, marked Bodmin. After several miles you will see a crossroads and Golant is the right turn. Please make your way to the meeting point which is the village car park where there will be a shuttle service up to The Sanctuary Cornwall.