Beginners silver clay full day workshop - make a pendant or drop earrings

Description

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. Take inspiration from the textures found in nature to make a beautiful and truly unique piece of jewellery. The cost of this workshop includes your silver clay, sterling silver fixings and a chain, neck cord or ear wires. Home made cake and plenty of tea and coffee. With no more than 6 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 HAPPENS ON THE DAY You’ll spend the morning learning about silver clay. Rebecca will demonstrate mould making of items found in nature such as acorns, what to look for in leaves to make leaf textures in the silver and how to set CZ stones. You will then design your jewellery, learn about texturing, filing and sanding and drying. We will leave the pieces to dry while we have a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you will fire your piece using a jeweller's torch then sand, polish and finish it by attaching your fixings such as a chain or ear wires. ITINERARY 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. Rebecca will also demonstrate how to create your own moulds from shells and acorns and how to set small fireable CZ stones in 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. 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 jewellery made in the class. Rebecca then explains how to care for the jewellery. MIN NUMBERS TO RUN: 2 MAX NUMBERS: 6 WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING - Glasses if you wear them (there is some fine detailed work) - A packed lunch and any extra drinks - An apron if you have one - Ideally closed-toe shoes - Hairband (to tie hair back while firing) - Any items from nature for inspiration - On summer days bring sun cream because we often picnic in the garden. PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES - Minimum age: 12 (under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult) - There is no wheelchair access to the workroom which is at the end of the garden - There is parking on the road (if it gets busy there is also a car park close by on Manor Farm Road) - If you are arriving by train let me know - I can sometime arrange a free pick up and drop off (subject to my husband's availability) 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 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). 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). The Blue Star number 20 bus runs from Southampton centre and stops a few yards from the venue. It runs approximately every 10 minutes. The nearest train stations are Southampton Parkway or alternatively Southampton Central. If you contact me in advance I might be able to arrange for you to be picked up and dropped off. (subject to availability) Full joining instructions will be sent one week in advance of the course.

What's included in the price?

What is included; - 7g of silver clay/ 99% silver (enough to make one or two pieces of jewellery) - Findings for your pieces that you make (ie jump rings, wire for drop earrings, key ring fixings) - An 18 inch chain, neck cord, earrings wires or non silver key ring fixings. - Moulding compound to make your own mould - A fireable CZ gemstone if required for your design - Use of all equipment needed in my studio to make your jewellery pieces - Items found in nature such as shells or acorns that I have collected available in the studio or garden. - A detailed instruction booklet (which you can take home) - Lots of tea and coffee - Home made cake - A glass of bubbly or non alcoholic fizz to celebrate the day

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Rebecca Oxenham Jewellery

with Craft Courses since 2021

Message the tutor

I love teaching workshops and have a particular love for silver clay jewellery making. I studied at the CSCJ with Julia Rai for my Level One and Two, Art Clay Diploma Certification in Silver Clay. This is a world-wide, recognised qualification, administered by the official distributors of Art Clay in Europe. I have also studies silversmithing at the Meon Valley School. I am a tutor member of AMCAW (Association of Metal Clay Artists Worldwide) and a member of ACJ and GOJD.