Ancient jewelry making techniques converge with new millennium technology through Precious Metal Clay. Fine silver particles suspended in an organic binder and water form a wonderfully malleable material that can be formed like earthen clay and when fired in a kiln, fuses or "sinters" together to become a .999, pure silver object. In this intensive workshop students begin to master PMC as they learn how to texture, set gems, roll coils, form custom bails, re-hydrate dry material, and safely use a butane torch to fire creations made at home. Students create an original pair of earring drops and pendant. Course covers various finishing methods including wire brushing, burnishing, and patinas.
Prerequisite: None
First class materials: Approximately $65 materials fee payable to instructor at class meeting; includes one package of PMC and a faceted lab grown gemstone, syringe, paste, and paper clay will also be available for use and a loaner tool kit is provided. Additional supplies may be purchased as desired.