Beginner's Silver Clay Christmas Gifts Workshop

Growing up, I spent a lot of time by the sea; our family holidays were always spent on the beautiful beaches of Devon and Cornwall. Living in Portsmouth, the beach was my go-to place for fun, unwinding and thinking things through. Over the years, I developed a habit of collecting things I found washed up on the shore—seashells, stones, sea glass. These little pieces always fascinated me, not just because they were beautiful, but because each one felt like a reminder of time spent in my favourite places.When I discovered silver clay, I decided to use these materials as inspiration to create jewellery. I could make pieces that brought the ocean with me wherever I went, without having to be at the beach all the time. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Jewellery can hold meaning, and these natural elements from the sea seemed like the perfect way to create something that would remind people of the coast—whether they lived near it or not.My goal isn’t to make something overly complicated or fancy—it’s about creating something simple and raw, like the beach itself. The ocean is beautiful in its own way, and I wanted to capture that feeling in my jewellery.Living by the sea gives me inspiration to create pieces using natural, organic shapes and textures; most of the pieces I make have a connection to the seaside or to nature, whether it’s the colours, the textures, or the materials. I like the idea that when someone wears a piece of my jewellery, they get a small connection to the coast or to nature, no matter where they are. It's not about nostalgia or romance; it's about appreciating the natural beauty around us and having a small piece of it to carry with us.I decided I wanted to pass on this magical way of making jewellery so with the constant support of my equally creative husband I have achieved parts one and two of my Art Clay Silver Diploma. I am now running silver clay jewellery beginner workshops here in Southsea; no previous silver clay or jewellery making experience is needed - so if you fancy having a go yourself please get in touch, I'd love to share the magic and you'll be amazed at what you can create!“The beauty of handmade is in the imperfections.”— Anon