Learn all the basic steps and techniques used to work with silver clay and produce beautiful solid silver jewellery.

On the first evening, you will discuss the merits and possibilities of silver clay and be inspired by your tutor’s designs.

Day1: An introduction to silver clay.

You will make a couple of simple pieces and learn:

How to handle, roll, texture and cut the clay.

How to refine the silver clay in the greenware stage

How to drill holes

How to torch fire

How to polish and patinate to achieve a quality finish

Day 2: You will learn about mould making and practise moulding natural forms such as leaves, seed pods, shells and fossils, etc. You will learn:

How to make a mould

How to use a mould with silver clay

How to create a bail to hang it from

How to refine, fire, patinate and polish

Day 3: You will learn:

How to create embellishments

How to design and dry construct

How to syringe set a cubic zirconia stone

How to kiln fire, polish and patinate

Day 4: You will learn how to make a silver clay ring:

How to measure and size a ring

How to form a seamless ring band

How to set a cubic zirconia in lump clay

By the end of the four days, you will have created several pieces of jewellery and gained the knowledge and confidence to continue creating beautiful silver jewellery at home.

This course is part of our materials week. Our February themed week of short courses for 2025 focuses on CLAY, led by talented artist-tutors:

Sarah Burns – Nature's alchemy: clay resist printing and indigo dyeing

Helen Miles – Classical mosaic making

Grainne Reynolds – Jewellery using silver clay

Sarah Villeneau – Organic sculpture in clay

Gilbert Whyman – Sculpting from life – figure and portrait

Laura Dennis – Mixed media landscape painting on clay board

Each course explores a different aspect of using this versatile material and how it may be used in a variety of contemporary practices.

Each tutor will be invited to give a short talk (10 minutes) about an aspect of their work relating to the theme of the week on Tuesday evening at 5.15pm. Participants will also be encouraged to visit other courses to see work produced across the varied approaches offered in the week.

Included

• On this course the College will supply most of the materials, including 40g silver clay per student (extra available to purchase from the tutor if required), silver clay syringes for shared use, cubic zirconia, polishing papers, sanding pads, liver of sulphur and pro-polishing pads.

What students need to bring

• A notebook and pen for taking notes and designing jewellery pieces
• An apron
• Hair tie for long hair
• Covered shoes (no sandals or open toes)

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• A good variety of art and craft materials are available for purchase.
• Silver can be purchased from the College Shop, which stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings. These will be available in set sizes and lengths suitable for a wide range of projects.
• Available from tutor:
• Extra silver clay is available to purchase from the tutor if required.
• Silver ear wires, chains and jump rings will be available to purchase from the tutor as optional extras. Your tutor will accept cash or card payments.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes). Possible equipment restrictions in tutor absence.

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

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