Silver Clay Jewellery Class with 24K Gold Highlights

Spend a full day at this beginners workshop learning the art of fine silver jewellery making, using the alchemy of silver clay, an eco-friendly and fun way to make silver jewellery. The workshop will take place in The Sanctuary Cornwall, an award winning off grid eco lodge, set high up in 12 acres of beautiful woodland and with breath taking views over the Fowey Estuary. As part of the woodland jewellery workshop there is an optional 20-minute nature connection woodland walk where you can get up ‘close and personal’ with the surrounding flora and fauna within the grounds taking inspiration from leaves, acorns, bark and sycamore seeds to make your beautiful, unique jewellery. (For anyone who doesn’t wish to take part in this short nature walk you are welcome to stay behind and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, take in the views and explore the nature items I have collected in advance that you can use to make your jewellery). At the end students who want to can stay on for an extra hour to learn how to plate their pieces in 24K gold.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 course is suitable for adult 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 is included?

• Homemade vegetarian lunch (please make us aware of dietary requirements in advance)
• 7g of silver clay/ 99% silver (enough to make one to two pieces of jewellery)
• 24K gold plating solution to plate your items if required
• Lots of tea and coffee
• Homemade cake
• A glass of bubbly or non-alcoholic fizz to celebrate the end of the day
• Findings for your pieces that you make (ie jump rings, wire for drop earrings)
• Moulding compound to make your own mould
• Use of all equipment and materials needed to make your jewellery pieces
• Items found in nature if you haven’t collected your own on the nature walk
• A detailed instruction booklet detailing everything you need to know.
• A glass of bubbly or non-alcoholic fizz to celebrate the end of the day
• A shuttle service at the start and finish of the day taking you down the steep and narrow hill to the village car park.
• A special 15% student discount will be provided after the workshop for your next three purchases of Art Clay silver with the main supplier if you want to have a go at home.

Please note that accommodation is not included and is separately bookable. There is a 10% discount If you are attending this workshop and book directly Agenda10.00 A shuttle service from Golant village car park will take you up to The Sanctuary Cornwall where your will be served 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. You tutor will explain about the history of silver clay, its eco-friendly properties, shrinkage and how it all works. The tutor will explain what to look for in nature items when creating replica leaf jewellery.10.30 Students then go out on a 20 minute nature walk of the grounds and explore the surrounding woodland collecting any leaves, seeds and other items found to make jewellery.10.50 The tutor will demonstrate how to make moulds and students are given to make their own mould from an item from nature that they have collected.11.20 The tutor will then do some demonstrations using textures of leaves and the moulds. Students then start working on their own designs and will create a model of their design using practice modelling clay.11.50 Students create their designs using the silver clay and dry the clay on the drying tray.13.15 While the clay is drying students take a break to have lunch.14.15 Students learn to fire their pieces using a gas torch. This is the magical bit where the clay-like substance transforms to solid 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.15.30 Students are shown how to attach their charms to ear wires or a chain or neck cord.16.00 There is an hour which is optional where students learn to electroplate thier pieces in 24K gold.17.00 Students finish the day 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.What to bring

• Glasses if you wear them (there is some fine detailed work).
• Closed-toe shoes (you will be handling hot metal).
• Hairband (to tie hair back while firing).
• Any items to mould from nature or for inspiration.
• We will be using latex gloves for gold electroplating. If you are allergic to latex please bring your own.
• An apron is optional. Silver clay produces a fine white dust which comes off in the washing machine. Fluffy jumpers or dry clean only clothes are not recommended.

Guidelines

• Minimum age: 16 (under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult).
• Accommodation is not included but it can be booked separately subject to availability on their website. (Don’t forget your 10% discount if attending this workshop and book direct using the voucher code: Silver10
• We ask that you park in the village. A shuttle bus from the village car park will be provided to take people up the very steep and narrow hill to the workshop.
• The workshop room is wheelchair friendly. The bathroom is accessible as are the doors. There is parking right outside for a wheelchair user if required.
• Full joining instructions will be sent one week in advance of the workshop.
• Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. See my terms and conditions.
• If you are also attending the sea glass stone setting in silver clay workshop the following day (Sunday 2nd June) there is a 15% discount for booking both workshops.
• Chains will be available to purchase on the day at an additional cost.

• All materials and equipment to make a silver pendant or drop earrings to take home with you, including 7g of fine silver clay.
• 24K gold solutions for electroplating gold highlights
• Instruction booklet
• Discount on metal clay
• Tea and coffee and cake
• Vegetarian lunch
• A glass of bubbly to commemorate the class.

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