Cornwall - Woodland silver clay jewellery making (suitable for beginners)

Spend a full day at this beginners workshop 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. Please note that I also have a separately bookable sea glass stone setting in silver clay workshop the following day (Sunday 2nd June). If you would like to attend both workshops there is a 15% discount. Contact Rebecca@rebeccaoxenham.com for the voucher code.

As part of the woodland jewellery workshop there is an optional 20-minute nature connection woodland walk where you can get up ‘close and personal’ with the surrounding flora and fauna within the grounds taking inspiration from leaves, acorns, bark and sycamore seeds to make your beautiful, unique jewellery. (For anyone who doesn’t wish to take part in this short nature walk you are welcome to stay behind and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, take in the views and explore the nature items I have collected in advance that you can use to make your jewellery).

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.

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 shuttle service at the start and finish of the day taking you down the steep and narrow hill to the village car park.

- 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

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.

10.30 Students then go out on a 20 minute nature walk of the grounds and explore the surrounding woodland collecting any leaves, seeds and other items found to make jewellery.

10.50 The tutor will demonstrate how to make moulds and students are given to make their own mould from an item from nature that they have collected.

11.20 The tutor will then do some demonstrations using textures of leaves and the moulds. Students then start working on their own designs and will create a model of their design using practice modelling clay.

11.50 Students create their designs using the silver clay and dry the clay on the drying tray.

13.15 While the clay is drying students take a break to have lunch.

14.15 Students learn to fire their pieces using a gas torch. This is the magical bit where the clay-like substance transforms to solid 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.

15.30 Students are shown how to attach their charms to ear wires or a chain or neck cord.

16.00 Students finish the day 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.

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 items to mould from nature or for inspiration.

- On warm days bring sun cream because we might picnic in the gardens or surrounding woodland.

- 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

The 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 as well as 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. The Golant village has a car park.

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.