North Yorkshire | metalclaynorth

Into the kiln

May 18, 2013 1 Comment

At last my pendant is ready for firing. I began this at Anna Mazon’s workshop last weekend although I realised I wouldn’t really be able to do much work on a piece while I was hosting a masterclass in silver clay. It was a wonderful workshop and Anna’s instructions were very clear and easy to follow so I have slowly continued to work on my herbaria pendant inspired by Anna’s work. Now it has finally made it into the kiln, only a week behind the rest of the group!

I am delighted that, after a bit of practice, I have finally got the hang of those teeny tiny flowers! This one is very much based on Anna’s instructions and the next thing I need to do is practice the technique and make it my own. Thanks again to Anna and everyone who took part.

There are still a couple of places left on Joy Funnell’s workshop making Colourful Carnival Masks 29th and 30th June.

Here is one of Joy’s latest masks ‘Primavera’. For more information go to my website or leave me a message in the comments section of this blog.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, jewellery making class, Jewellery, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, Sterling silver clay, Metal clay, Master classes, Guest tutors, Inspiration, North York Moors Tagged with Metal clay, Silver clay, Masterclasses, pendant, Anna Mazon, North York Moors, herbaria, jewellery making workshop

Colourful Carnival Masks

March 10, 2013 Leave a comment

I still have a couple of places available on this wonderful masterclass with the very talented metal clay artist Joy Funnell

29th and 30th June 2013 – Colourful Carnival Masks with Joy Funnell

£385 per person including materials
On this 2 day workshop you will learn how to create your own unique silver mask using Art Clay Silver. Joy will cover how to add wires to the mask for decoration before enamelling them to create your very own colourful carnival mask pendant. You will learn tips and tricks including creating the best surface on the silver for the enamel, making a three dimensional mask shape, making bails and decorating the reverse of your piece including setting small stones.
Once the masks are fired and polished you will learn Joy’s unique Enamelled Accents technique for adding wires to make free standing cells for enamel. After covering how to prepare the enamels to get the brightest clearest colours you will learn how to wet lay them onto your piece and how different colour enamels can be used and blended together. Finally we will use patination to accentuate the bright enamel colours and the textures. During this workshop you will have a rainbow of enamel colours to use that you will be able to take home with you afterwards. Some previous experience with silver clay is necessary.

Email me for more information and for booking. I can let you have details of local B&B accommodation and it is a great place for a short break as my studio is on the glorious North York Moors and close to Whitby, so loads to see and do!

Filed under Uncategorized, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Workshops in North Yorkshire, Enamelling classes, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, jewellery making class, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, Enamel jewellery, Silver and enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Learn to enamel, Master classes, Guest tutors, North York Moors Tagged with art clay silver classes, enamel, Enamel on silver, Masks, most classes, North York Moors, Venice

More Mokume Gane

March 8, 2013 Leave a comment

Here is today’s piece of mokume gane technique in copper and silver clay. It is a little whistle and I have created patina to chemically darken the copper to make a greater contrast with the silver. I am very pleased with the outcome of this and think it will make a great new class project.

Thanks again to Lesley Messam & Katie Baum for sharing so much information on techniques and inspiring me!

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Guest tutors, jewellery making class, Keum boo, Master classes, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, Mokume Gane, New Mokume Gane in metal clay, North York Moors, North Yorkshire, PMC, Silver clay classes, Uncategorized, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with copper clay, Metal clay, mixed metals, New Mokume gane, patina techniques, Silver clay, whistle

A little more experimentation and a new Mokume Gane masterclass

March 7, 2013 1 Comment

I have been doing a little more experimentation after a short break staying with my good friend Lesley Messam and with the encouragement and inspiration of Katie Baum.

With Katie we made either perfume pendants or pens and I chose to make the perfume pendant. It is made in art clay silver. Since I returned home I have made an attempt at making a pen using the combination to silver and copper to make new mokume gane. I think I need to do more work on this idea to perfect it but am having fun experimenting.

I am planning to teach the Art Clay New Mokume Gane class later in the year so please email if you would like to learn this technique.

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Master classes, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North York Moors, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, Tools and tips, Uncategorized, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, Metal clay, mixed metals, mokume gane, Pen, perfume pendant, Silver clay

One bright moth

February 15, 2013 Leave a comment

On a brighter note I have finished this Moth Pendant.

It is the first of a series of pieces of enamel jewellery with moth and butterfly designs. I made the pendant using art clay silver a few weeks ago but then had to wait to send it off with a batch of other pieces for hallmarking. I prefer to have work hallmarked before enamelling and finishing (although don’t always) but it lessens the risk of it being chipped or damaged in transit.

I have also stoned back and refired this enamel ring that was hallmarked in the same batch. These do show off the beauty of the vibrant colours possible in vitreous enamel jewellery.

If you would like to learn to enamel then please get in contact as I am always happy to teach enamelling and pass on some of the techniques of this wonderful tradition.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling, Enamelling classes, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with enamel, Enamel on silver, moth pendant, silver clay classes

Class dates for 2013

December 30, 2012 Leave a comment

My studio is based in the beautiful village of Glaisdale, about 12 miles from Whitby in North Yorkshire. It is a well equipped workshop dedicated to metal clay and jewellery making. Over the winter 2011/12 it was completely refurbished, including removing a dividing wall to open up the teaching space. There are all kinds of exciting classes for 2013 so please keep checking as you will need to book early to secure a place.

Introduction to enamel on copper £140 with Lynne Glazzard
Wednesdays by arrangement from January 23rd, 2013
Learn to create your own small copper panels, this course runs from alternate Wednesdays by arrangement and includes a small amount of copper and enamel, additional copper will be available to purchase on the day. It is also available as either a morning or afternoon session.
This class is also scheduled for Sunday 10th March 2013 £140

Sunday 24th March 2013 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £155 with Lynne Glazzard
Thursday 28th March 2013 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £155 with Lynne Glazzard

Sunday 21st April 2013 first day of Art Clay Silver level 1 certification
with Lynne Glazzard. This is run by me as a four day course following the syllabus set out by Aida Corporation and can either be four consecutive days, two pairs of two days or four separate days within a one month period. I only run this twice a year at the moment so please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested.

Saturday 27th April 2013 Landscape into Enamel with Tilly Wilkinson
£150 per person plus cost of copper available to purchase on the day.
Using a range of enamel techniques produce a landscape based wall panel from your own images.
You will incorporate a range of techniques including sifting, scrafitto and stencilling to produce your own personal response to a landscape that you love. You will learn how to prepare, counter enamel and finish your copper. A range of enamels are included in the price. Copper in various sizes will available to purchase on the day.

Memory of Scampston, enamel on copper by Tilly Wilkinson

11th & 12th May 2013 Herbarium pendant with Anna Mazon
(see website)

Saturday 25th May 2013 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £155 with Lynne Glazzard
Sunday 26th May 2013 Introduction to enamel on silver clay £170 with Lynne Glazzard

Saturday 1st June Introduction to enamel painting with Tilly Wilkinson
£175 per person including all materials – During this 1 day class you will learn how to create your own miniature piece of enamel painting. You will be provided with pre prepared copper bases and a range of stimulus material to work from. You will look at techniques for transferring your chosen design onto the fired enamel surface prior to painting. Using finely ground enamel pigments you will be shown how to prepare them for your palette and how to apply them to your prepared base.
No experience is necessary but some interest or ability in either oil or watercolour painting will be helpful.

On the weekends of 8th & 9th June and 15th & 16th June Lynne will be taking part in North Yorkshire Open Studios so the studio will be open to visitors
(Enamelling Wednesdays will be available during the period of open studios, advanced booking essential)

29th & 30th June 2013 Carnival masks with Joy Funnell £385 per person, including materials
(see Website)

Saturday 13th July 2013 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £155 with Lynne Glazzard
Sunday 14th July 2013 Rings in silver clay £170 with Lynne Glazzard
Sunday 28th July 2013 Introduction to enamel on Art Clay Silver £170 with Lynne Glazzard

Friday 6th and Saturday 7th September 2013 Art Clay Masterclass with guest tutor, more details to follow soon

21st & 22nd September 2013 Enamel painting with Tilly Wilkinson
£325 per person including materials
During this 2 day class you will learn how to create your own miniature piece of enamel painting. We will cover how to press form and prepare a suitable base from copper shim, how to apply a suitable enamel layer on which to paint and how to fire it. In addition we will look at techniques for transferring your chosen design onto the fired enamel surface prior to painting. Using finely ground enamel pigments you will be shown how to prepare them for your palette and how to apply them to your prepared base. Enamel painting is suitable for representing a range of imagery from representational portraits to abstract designs. This class would be most suitable for those who already have a reasonable level of ability in either oil or watercolour painting and some enamelling experience.

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling, Enamelling classes, Guest tutors, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Making rings in silver, Master classes, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, silver clay rings, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with enamel, enamel on copper, Enamel on silver, Learn to enamel, metal clay classes, silver clay class in Yorkshire

Colourful Carnival Masks with Joy Funnell

November 16, 2012 Leave a comment

29th and 30th June 2013 – Colourful Carnival Masks with Joy Funnell
£385 per person including materials

Joy Funnell is well known for her colourful silver and enamel Venetian carnival mask pendants. On this 2 day workshop you will learn how to create your own unique silver mask using Art Clay Silver. Then we will cover how to add wires to the mask for decoration before enamelling them to create your very own colourful carnival mask pendant. You will learn tips and tricks including creating the best surface on the silver for the enamel, making a three dimensional mask shape, making bails and decorating the reverse of your piece including setting small stones. Once the masks are fired and polished you will learn Joy’s unique Enamelled Accents technique for adding wires to make free standing cells for enamel. After covering how to prepare the enamels to get the brightest clearest colours you will learn how to wet lay them onto your piece and how different colour enamels can be used and blended together. Finally we will use patination to accentuate the bright enamel colours and the textures. During this workshop you will have a rainbow of enamel colours to use that you will be able to take home with you afterwards. Some previous experience with silver clay is necessary.

Terms and conditions £100 deposit required to confirm a place, a further £100 payable two months before the commencement of the class and the balance payable by cheque or cash 14 working days prior to the first day of the class. 14 days notice of cancellation is required so that I can resell the workshop place. In the event of cancellation more than 14 days before the class the deposit can be carried over to another mutually convenient class. Cancellation by the student less than 7 days prior to a workshop will result in forfeit of your deposit and course fee. Each class has a maximum number of places available and a minimum number before it can run. If I have to cancel a workshop I will give as much notice as possible and a place will be offered for an alternative workshop at a future date. Refunds will be given in the event of tutor illness or insufficient numbers booked for a workshop. I reserve the rights to vary these terms and conditions at any time. My studio is based in the beautiful village of Glaisdale on the North Yorkshire Moors, approximately 12 miles inland from Whitby. I can recommend B&B accommodation locally – email me for details.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling classes, Guest tutors, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Master classes, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver and enamel jewellery, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, enamel, enamel classes in Yorkshire, enamel on silver clay

Introduction to art clay silver

October 29, 2012 Leave a comment

On Saturday I had a very relaxed one to one workshop with Lindsay.

During the day she made two pairs of earrings and two pretty charms. The earrings were made using the technique of rolling out the clay using texture sheets, with different textures back and front. She wanted to make one pair of earrings really black so we ended up oxidising them twice to get the depth of tone she wanted! The little charms were made using little moulds created from buttons and shells using two part mould making compound. They were drilled before firing and jumps rings added after firing and finishing. I don’t have any more introductory level classes scheduled until next Spring – but will be happy to arrange one-to-one over the coming month if you want to do this to make a few few special Christmas presents – if so just email me.

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with introduction to metal clay, make your own silver jewellery, silver clay classes in Yorkshire

Finishing the second pendant

October 20, 2012 Leave a comment

It is a beautiful autumn day here so I haven’t spent much time in the studio as I am taking advantage of the sunshine and enjoying the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors. I have been and finished the pretty enamelled pendant that I started yesterday. It is quite small, only 25mm by 17.5mm so my photograph makes it seem much larger than it really is! I love the transparency of the enamel and using art clay silver I have been able to combine a delicate textured background from a photopolymer plate I made last week together with fine silver cloisonné wires. In this piece I have used wires of different thicknesses to try out the effect – though its not particularly evident unless you look very closely.

I am happy to teach enamelling on art clay silver and still have a place available on next Saturday’s introduction to art clay silver, if you think you would like to make a few special little silver charms as Christmas gifts then please contact me

I am also in the process of putting together a really exciting schedule of classes for 2013 so watch this space!

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling, Enamelling classes, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Master classes, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, photopolymer plates, PMC, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, Tools and tips, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with Enamel on silver, enamel on silver clay, learn enamelling, silver jewellery, text and enamel

A work in progress

October 19, 2012 Leave a comment

Here is a little update on one of the pieces I have been working on. This began with silver clay rolled out over a photopolymer texture sheet (see earlier post) and then had an edge constructed before being fired in my electric kiln for 2 hours at 800 degrees centigrade. This gives the maximum sintering so ensures that the piece is as dense as possible, perfect for enamelling onto.
Once fired I give the piece a wire brushing and a preliminary polish. I then attach shaped fine silver wires to the surface and fire the piece again to fix the wires in place.

The photo shows two pieces that have had the wires fixed into place. I then prepare a number of enamel colours by grinding and washing them and apply a thin layer to the surface using water to control the placement of the grains of enamel. I dry the piece before firing it again at around 800 degrees centigrade until the enamel has melted and fused to the silver surface. I apply more layers of enamel thinly, firing each layer in turn, until the enamel is level with the tops of the wires.

This photo shows the third layer of wet enamel, prior to drying and firing. Once I have fired the final layer the piece has its surface ground back so that it is level and smooth before being fired again quickly to get the gloss back on the enamel surface. I can then fully polish the piece to finish it. I used to use the tiny heart and spiral motifs in my work all the time and have enjoyed bringing this fun element back into the current pieces.

I did get to the final firing of this one of the pendants but it was a bit late in the day and the light wasn’t really good enough to take a photograph. I hope you enjoy this insight into some of the working process. I am happy to teach enamelling classes either for small groups or on a one to one basis so please contact me if you would like to arrange something or buy a piece of my work.

Filed under art clay silver, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling, Enamelling classes, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, photopolymer plates, PMC, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, Tools and tips Tagged with art clay silver, cloisonné enamelling, enamel, enamel on silver clay, enamel silver jewellery, Jewellery making, Learn to enamel, Metal clay, Silver clay

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