In this workshop you will be introduced to the fabulous medium of silver clay. Silver Clay is a precious metal clay that looks and feels like ordinary sculpting or porcelain clay, with fine particles of pure silver mixed with a non-toxic organic binder. When fired, the binder burns out, leaving a fine silver piece that can be hallmarked as fine silver.
Each participant will have a 7gm pack of silver clay. This is enough to create either one larger item such as a pendant or a few smaller items such as a smaller pendant and earrings.
We will start by experimenting with cutters and textures using ordinary clay or fimo, using this to decide on what designs we would like to make. We will then move on to creating with the silver clay. items will be dried after which we will look at sanding techniques. We will then learn how to fire pieces using a blow torch. Where appropriate will look at how to solder stud backs on to earrings and/or how to solder closed a jump ring for a pendant. Items will then be placed in our polisher for the last 30mins. Those that need to can leave at this point and collect their polished pieces at a later date. If we run late it may be that others also need to collect at a later date and we will discuss this in the event that it happens.
