Full day sea glass stone setting with silver clay - Make a fine silver sea glass pendant necklace

Description

Spend a day learning the art of fine silver jewellery making and stone setting using the alchemy of silver clay, an eco-friendly and fun way to make silver jewellery. You will be setting sea glass stones (either your own or of mine that I have collected) in your silver clay to make your own truly unique pendant necklace. You can choose to either texture the silver clay or keep it plain and decorate with little silver clay embellishments such as pebbles or little shells - it’s up to you. This small workshop (max of 5) lasts 6 hours and includes everything you need (silver clay, sea glass, sterling silver clay, fixings, 18 inch chain, tea, coffee and prosecco). Sea glass is also known as mermaid tears or sea jewels. They are pieces of glass that has become smooth and frosty from being in the sea for at least 25 years. Over this time, they have become lovely gems of softly coloured glass nuggets. Most of the sea glass I have collected is from a stretch of the Solent between the Victoria Country Park, the site of the old First World War Hospital, and Hamble in Hampshire. The hospital was home to injured and convalescing soldiers in the first world war, and so I often wonder if some of the pieces are from old medicine bottles.  As with all of my courses, this will be an intimate and personable workshop with a maximum of five people. Although slightly more advanced than my Beginners workshop, the small numbers will allow for lots of individual attention and so is great for total beginners because you will get to learn all the basic techniques needed to go away and make other items after. You are welcome to bring your own sea glass which you have collected or a flat backed stone. This may be something which has sentimental meaning, perhaps from a special holiday or found by one of your children. Ideally you want to find a stone around about 1cm in diameter and as thin and flat as possible. Alternatively, I do have a large selection of sea glass available for those who haven’t made it to the beach yet. 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, choosing your sea glass, designing your piece, texturing, learning to create the setting in the clay, filing and sanding then leaving it to dry, before eating your picnic. In the afternoon, you will fire your piece using a jewellers torch then you will learn to set the sea glass stone, polishing 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 and choosing the sea glass stones. 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 how to make your piece. 11.00 students then start working on their own designs, with a rough sketch before starting work crafting their own designs. Rebecca will demonstrate how to create the setting using fine silver bezel strip, sizing the setting for the stone and embedding it in the clay. 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). 13.30 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. 14.00 Students then learn the techniques of how to set the sea glass stones and polish the pendants. Students are shown how to attach their sea glass pendant to chain or neck cord. 15.00 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. 15.30 - 4.00 Finish WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING - A packed lunch and any extra drinks - Glasses - there is some fine detailed work. - An apron if you have one - Ideally closed toe shoes (to protect your feet in case you drop tools or hot metal). - Hairband (to tie hair back while firing) - In the summer bring sun cream as we may picnic in the garden. PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES - Minimum age: 16 (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. 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). Full joining instructions will be sent one week in advance of the course. For more information contact Rebecca via 'Message the tutor.'

What's included in the price?

Unlike a lot of workshops I like to include everything you are likely to need in the price to keep things simple and so if you buy this as a gift your recipient will not have to be paying out on the day for abits and pieces. You know exactly how much this one day course will cost you. This includes: - 7g Silver clay (enough to make one pendant) - Sea glass stone - Fixings - fine silver bezel wire to set the stone - a chain or neck cord. - 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.

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.