Beginners - Nature embellished stacking rings
Description
Spend the day learning the art of fine silver jewellery making to create up to three nature embellished stacking rings. You will be using a combination of traditional silversmithing to make the rings using recycled silver wire before making embellishments from silver clay that will then be soldered onto your pieces. This is a small class held in Rebecca Oxenham's jewellery making studio with a maximum of 5 to allow for lots of individual attention. 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 silversmithing or 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. TO PURCHASE ON THE DAY - Recycled sterling 925 silver wire (round or bobble shaped available). (Allow approx. £10 per ring) - Silver clay - A 5g pack is £16 for 2 small embellishments or 7g for £17 which should be enough for three small embellishments for your rings WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY You’ll spend the morning learning how to make your basic ring bands including how to measure your rings, preparing the wire before soldering, filing and sanding your rings. In the afternoon, you will make the embellishments for your rings using silver clay and fire your embellishment pieces using a jewellers torch before soldering them to your ring. You will then finish and polish your rings. ITINARY 10.00 Arrival with tea or coffee we will introduce ourselves, discuss the itinerary and have a look and talk through the examples of rings that can be made. 10.30 Students are talked through the tools in the studio and will measure their fingers and Rebecca will explain how to work out how much wire your rings will use. 11.00 Students then cut the wire using a jewellers saw and using a nylon hammer will forge the pieces of wire around a ring tribelet to form it into a ring shape. This will be repeated for all three rings. 12.00 Students will learn how to solder each ring to close the joins. File to remove excess solder and tidy up the joins. 13.00 We will 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 will make the embellishments for their rings using silver clay. There will be variety of moulds and cutters as well as a choice of CZ stone. 15.00 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. 16.00 Students then solder their embellishments to the ring, finish their pieces to get the look they desire– if required applying a patina effect or polishing to a high shine. 17.00 Students finish off with a glass of prosecco or non-alcoholic alternative while they admire everyone's rings made in the class. Rebecca then explains how to care for the jewellery. Students leave for the day. WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING - A packed lunch and any extra drinks - An apron if you have one - Ideally closed toe shoes - Hairband (to tie hair back while firing) - Glasses - there is some fine detailed work. PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES - Minimum age: 12 (under 18s 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 - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. - Maximum numbers: 5
What's included in the price?
- Use of all equipment needed from the studio - A step by step detailed instruction booklet (which you can take home) - Tea, coffee and biscuits - A glass of prosecco or non alcoholic alternative to celebrate the day at the end - Access to all the tools you will need from the studio.
Duration
7 hours
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
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.
