Beginng Basics Class
Pre requisite
If you have never taken a Metal Clay class before, or you would like to refresh your basic skills this class will give you a great foundation.It's a prerequisite to all other classes, and enables you to build on the skills that you will learn.The goals of this project driven class is to make you comfortable with the techniques while you learn tips and tricks to minimize performance anxiety. You will then be able to work on your own, and to take more advanced classes with confidence.
The following are skills you will learn while making a roll over textured pendant and earrings. It includes use of tools, textures, and kiln firing. The class does not include metal clay products. The clay can be purchased from me or you can bring your own. This class is available for private students and small groups. $180.00 ($30.00 an hour) private and $150.00 each for groups of 2 or more.
Skills in Basic Classes are:
Metal Clay Terms Carving Holes-wet/dry
Tools and their uses Applying Components
Retaining clay moisture Understanding shrinkage
Re-hydrating Beveling edges
Rolling out clay Filling Cracks
Cutting out shapes Drying Options
Texturing Refining before firing
Bails Torch firing
Applying Paste Burnishing
Tips & tricks Polishing Patinas
These are the projects you will learn individually or in The Foundations in Metal Clay Courses. Descriptions follow-scroll down.
* Continuation of Beginning Classes*
This series of classes is offered to those who have completed a Basics class and are ready to add techniques to their basic skills. Each class is approximately 6 hours which includes use of tools, kiln firing and finishing supplies from start to finish. You will take your pieces home the same day. Each techniques class is $180.00 ($30.00 an hour) private, $150.00 each for group of 2 or more.
Jeweled & Framed Pendant- In this class you will learn how to set a stone in a bezel, and the many uses of making coils to give your work a finished and professional look. You'll also learn how to make a bail to hang your pendant from a cord or chain.
Focal Point Toggles- Knowing how to make your own original designed toggles takes your work to the next level. In this class you will lean how to design functional yet beautiful toggles to use on your necklace and bracelet projects that are worthy enough to be the focal point of your pieces.
Decorated & Jeweled Lentil Beads-Once you make lentil beads you will want to make them in every size. The skills that you learn while making these beads translates into many more metal clay forms. In this class you will learn how to embellish and set stones with syringe, carve into the clay and make strong joins in addition to creating a lovely focal bead.
Rings & Things-Everyone loves interesting rings. There is quite a learning curve in making a successful ring. In this class I will teach you how to make your own ring mandrels and the necessary skills that you need to make your rings strong and account for the shrinkage of metal clay. You will learn how to guarantee the correct size of your rings every time.
Slider, Cylinder and Tube Beads- This versatile bead can be made in unlimited styles and textures. It can be open ended or capped as a hollow bead. It can be used for bracelets, earrings and pendants in addition to being a really fun technique. This bead can be used in a multitude of jewelry design projects once you learn how to construct it.
**For experienced metal clay jewelers who want to learn certain techniques of their choice or need consultation on a project, the charge is $30.00 hourly for a minimum of 2 hours.**
Hollow Form Beads
Please sign up for emails about my upcoming classes and events.
