Full day beginners silver clay Christmas gift workshop
Sat, 26 Oct
|Golant
Spend a full day learning about the alchemy of silver clay and come and make 3 to 5 items of your own beautiful unique solid fine silver jewellery pieces - pendants, earrings and charms. You will take away your pieces at the end of the course to wear or as a gifts for Christmas
Time & Location
26 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 16:00 BST
Golant, Downs Hill, Golant, Fowey PL23 1LJ, UK
About the Event
Suitable for total beginners. This is a full day, hands-on silver jewellery making class where you will learn how to design and create your very own silver clay jewellery pieces using several different techniques. You will make  three or more items of fine silver jewellery such as pendants, drop earrings and charms that you can take away at the end of the course to gift to loved ones at Christmas (or for yourself).  The number of items you make depends on the size and weight of your pieces.  Silver clay is a totally recycled product which means you are protecting the environment. The silver clay is fired to become solid silver of Hallmark quality.  You will learn to use textures using texture sheets or leaves to make a leaf pendant or earrings. Then you'll mould a small object of your choosing to turn into a charm. Lastly, you will form a pendant or charm and learn how to add texture and a gemstone if you wish. Once all your projects are ready, you will be shown how to fire, polish your pieces and attach to a chain or ear wires.
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. Â Â
In this workshop, you will learn how to:Â
- Roll and pattern the clay using texture sheets and fresh leaves.
- Cut shapes freeland or using little cutters.
- Create your own moulds using a moulding compound to make 3D replicas.
- Smoothing imperfections and sanding for a professional finish
- Make neat holes for jump rings and use the drill if the holes are too small
-Â Use embedded eyelets in your designs
- How to dry your clay and how to tell if it is dry
- Prepare your piece for the transformative firing process
- Fire your piece using a hand held jewellers torch
-Â Polish and finish your pieces
- How to attach your pieces to ear wires or to a pendant necklace
- If desired you'll have the option to incorporate a couple of small cubic zicona gemstones and will learn how to embed the stones in a flush setting.
- 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. Â
YOUR TUTOR
You'll be guided by 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's own jewellery can be found on www.rebeccaoxenham.com
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course is suitable for adult learners with no previous knowledge of working with silver clay or those with some experience with silver clay or 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. It has disabled access and disabled parking on site if needed. Â Please contact Rebecca to discuss your needs.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Homemade vegetarian lunch (please make us aware of dietary requirements in advance)
- 10g of silver clay/ 99% silver - enough to make three or more 1-2 cm pieces depending on the size and weight.
- 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
- A detailed step by step instruction booklet detailing everything you need to know.
- A pdf of links on where to buy all equipment is available to students who want it.
- 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 Tea or coffee will be served on arrival. 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. Rebecca will then do some demonstrations of the different techniques along with lots of hint and tips for making amazing pieces.
11.00 Students then start working on their own designs, from rough sketching and making models before starting work crafting their own designs with guidance from Rebecca.
12.00 While the clay is drying students take a break for a light vegetarian lunch which is included in the price. (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 polish and finish their pieces. Â There will be an option to use Liver of Sulpher to bring out the texture in pieces. Students are shown how to attach their pendant to a 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)
- 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
- 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. Â See my terms and conditions.
- Chains and gift boxes will be available to purchase on the day at an additional cost.
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. 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.
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. Â 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.Â
By car
Please note that there is plenty of parking at The Sanctuary Cornwall for this workshop as there are no guests but for those who dont want to drive up the steep hill there is also parking in 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.Â
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.Â
Tickets
Beginners workshop Cornwall
£130.00Sale ended
Total
£0.00