Yorkshire | metalclaynorth

The Button Project

January 19, 2013 2 Comments

Inspiration can come from all kinds of places. A few days ago I received an email from Macclesfield telling me about the Barnaby Festival Art Trail. It included a call for entries into The Button Project. Artists and makers are invited to put their creative imaginations to work and make a button for a vibrant exhibition, taking place in Macclesfield from 14 June – 8 August 2013. The deadline for submissions is 4 March 2013 and you can download an application form here.

Any buttons entered will be part of a display of highly collectible contemporary buttons presented alongside Macclesfield Museum’s internationally important silk costume collection – that also happens to include a classic display of Macclesfield Silk Buttons. Macclesfield was the heart of UK’s historic silk industry, and handmade silk buttons was where it all began. From a cottage-based enterprise, it grew into a flourishing silk industry and helped to make the town what it is today. The buttons exhibited will be tiny works of art and the festival organisers suggest taking the opportunity to explore the theme for the Barnaby Festival this year, ‘metamorphosis’. This does seem like a fantastic chance to showcase miniature artwork in the UK’s premier silk attraction and celebrate our skills and heritage.

I have decided to attempt to make my button on the suggested theme, partly as it fits in with my love of moths, I have many of them doodled among the pages of sketchbooks over the years.

In order to be a wearable and durable button I have decided to make it slightly thicker than I would usually work and have begun by making a large number of tiny sketches to work out the layout of my design within this small circle. I did contemplate making an irregular shape – but decided to work within the formality of the circle. Here is my little paper circle into which I have impressed the background lines of my design so that they are raised up when I roll out the silver clay. The two impressions are made using Art Clay Silver; one will become the button and I am thinking of making the other into a pendant (the slightly thinner domed version). Obviously I still have a lot of work to do on these but am happy with the progress so far.

If you are a maker then why not join in this interesting project? If you would like to learn to enamel or to make your own jewellery then I have lots of classes organised for 2013, see details on my website or email me for further information and to book your place.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling classes, Inspiration, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, Paper textures, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, Buttons, enamel, learn to make your own jewellery, Metal clay, workshops, Yorkshire

Flying things

July 23, 2012 Leave a comment

As you can see I am still thinking of things with wings!

This is the rough and freshly cut out stage sitting on my hotplate. I have rolled out my little bats over my texture sheet drawn in scratch foam. This is the same piece of scratch foam I used to make various bat pendants and charms a few months ago – I keep them little scratch foam textures safely in a small plastic box so they don’t get damaged or gain additional unintended textures. Having rolled the shape I quickly cut around with my pin tool. This time I have also cut into the wings. I shaped it slightly and then set to dry. When it is completely dried I then work on refining the edges, usually using a baby wipe. Occasionally I do file and sand pieces but not very much as I like to keep the dust to a minimum.

My tip for sanding and keeping the silver clay dust is to keep my sponge sanding pad in a small plastic lidded box. The box is not much larger than the sanding pad and I generally leave it in the box, just remove the box lid to do my sanding and then clip the lid back on. This way the dust is kept contained and clean. If you do a lot of sanding then you perhaps you should consider wearing a dust mask to avoid breathing in any of the very fine particles of silver clay?

The small textured piece to the left hand side of the above photo is a test piece for enamelling. Sometimes when I get to the end of a pack of silver clay and just have a little left I will roll it out with a texture, fire, finish and then keep it. Then when I need to test new enamel colours I will have a silver bit prepared. At the moment I have a few new colours that need testing so this little piece is waiting for firing ready to use.

I am still working on moth ideas and here are a couple of sketches on tracing paper ready to transfer onto scratch foam.

Here are a pair of small moths, drying in their clay state – a lot of work still to do before they become a piece of jewellery!

There are two introductory courses coming up at the Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby and they are great value – the perfect opportunity to try out enamelling! To book either of these phone the Pannett Art Gallery on 01947 600933. They will require a deposit and places are limited so book quickly. If they happen to be full please contact me or leave a comment here as if there is enough interest it may be possible to arrange more dates.

Tuesday 7th August Introduction to cloisonné enamelling at Pannett Art Gallery, Whitby -
£55 per person

Saturday 11th August 2012 Introduction to enamelling on copper at Pannett Art Gallery with Tilly Wilkinson – £55 per person

I have the following classes coming up in my own studio in Glaisdale. There are also a few weekday dates available in August and September if you want to do a particular class such as ring making, hollow silver beads or setting beach glass – just get in touch to arrange something to suit.

Saturday 18th August 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £145

Saturday 22nd September 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £145

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October 2012, a two day workshop. Cloisonné enamel on art clay silver with Lynne Glazzard £350. On the first day you will design and make a silver pendant, learning about design for enamel. On the second day you will prepare and apply wire patterns followed by thin layers of enamel, firing each layer in turn. You will then learn methods for finishing the piece to a high standard. The course includes small amounts of enamel, enough to complete the project.

Saturday 27th October 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £145

Thursday 8th and Friday 9th November 2012 – two day workshop. Glass and art clay silver combination beads with Lynne Glazzard £360. On the first day you will learn to apply a variety of art clay silver products to the surface of glass beads before firing and annealing them in the kiln. On day two you will make some art clay silver beads to complement the glass beads before finishing them all to a high standard. Some glass beads are included in the course fee but not the art clay silver. A detailed materials list will be supplied in advance but you will need approximately 20g Art Clay 650; 10g Syringe type, Art Clay Silver Overlay paste

Terms and conditions 50% deposit required to confirm a place, balance payable by cheque or cash 7 days prior to the first day of the class.

7 days notice of cancellation of a booking is required so that we can resell the workshop place.
In the event of cancellation more than 7 days before the class the deposit can be carried over to another mutually convenient date.
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 we have to cancel a workshop we 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.
We reserve the rights to vary these terms and conditions at any time.

The studio is based in the beautiful village of Glaisdale approximately 12 miles from Whitby on the North Yorkshire Moors.

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling, Enamelling classes, jewellery making class, Learn to enamel, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, PMC, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver clay classes, Sterling silver clay, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay classes, art clay silver, designs, enamel silver jewellery, enamelling classes, Idea, Jewellery, Metal clay, wings, Yorkshire

Hearts and a lovely day at the Castle Museum

May 12, 2012 2 Comments

I have had a lovely day at the Castle Museum in York teaching art clay silver jewellery making to a small group (five). After a brief description of our aims for the day – to make a silver keepsake pendant, I took the group down to Kirkgate, a street created within the museum which has a variety of Victorian shops. We spent a bit of time looking at the jewellery in one of the shop windows and talking about ideas of sentimental jewellery. There are some lovely examples of cameos and name brooches but I wanted the group to focus on a pretty little gold open work heart shaped pendant. Because the museum light levels are fairly low to protect the objects in other displays and the pendant it was quite a way back in the window I couldn’t get a good photo of it. Having had a good look at the examples we went back up to the meeting room and I showed them the sample I had made and talked a bit about the art clay silver products and production. I then did a demonstration of the first steps for rolling out, creating the textures and forming the main heart shape.

This is based upon a project published by the Artist Alcina Nolley some time ago and adapted slightly by me to fit into this theme of creating a sentimental keepsake. After rolling out and trimming a textured strip it is wrapped twice over a plastic straw. We had to add a little moisture to the surface of the strips – it was really warm in York today! The ends were joined with a little paste and gentle pressure and trimmed, keeping the clay trimmings safely in a bit of plastic film. The shape was tweaked slightly while the metal clay was still soft.

Then the main pieces were put to dry while the students re-conditioned the trimmings and made another small piece. At this point some of them chose to set a small fireable stone. This little piece was also put to dry. By using the trimmings to make this little additional shape the project uses a complete 7g pack of art clay silver. After refining the edges of the pieces using ‘baby wipes’ (which avoids the need to sand and having to supply students with dust masks and makes it easier when away from my own studio) the pieces were joined using a little of the paste, dried fully and fired in my kiln.

After firing and cooling the students polished and burnished their pieces before threading them onto chains. They can be threaded through one loop so that they hang asymmetrically or, as all the group chose, by threading the chain through both loops so that the heart hangs level.

I can safely say they were all delighted with their little treasures and one of the class said it would be a perfect birthday present for her sister!

Thanks to them and to the staff and volunteers at the Castle Museum, York for making this possible and to Alcina Nolley for sharing her original idea on which this project is based.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with Art clay Silver jewellery, Castle Museum York, Introduction to art clay silver, metal clay class, Sentimental jewellery, Yorkshire

Butterflies

March 9, 2012 Leave a comment

I have had another enthusiastic student today. Jan has done a workshop with me before and had a very clear idea of what she wanted to make. This morning she arrived with some little paper cut out butterflies and the strip of paper from which they had been punched, wanting to use them to construct a ‘statement necklace’. She began by rolling out slabs of art clay silver and carefully cutting out a selection of butterfly shapes. Some of them she indented slightly and in others she cut small holes to suggest the patterns found on butterfly wings. She shaped and dried them all before assembling and joining them.

This was quite a lengthy process. Once the piece was thoroughly dry it was fired in the electric kiln and while it was firing I demonstrated lampwork glass bead making so that Jan could understand something of that process as she was interested in some of my jewellery that is currently on display in the studio.

After firing the piece Jan brushed and polished it – I took the picture after the brushing and while we were trying to work out the chain length (so, as usual i haven’t a photo of the burnished and finished necklace).

As a bonus, my super new coffee machine arrived so we were able to have extra special coffee this afternoon to keep us going! It was a very enjoyable and successful day. If you would like to learn metal clay, art clay silver, jewellery making or enamelling then please contact Lynne

There are details of workshops held in my well equipped studio here in North Yorkshire on my website and I run special one-to-one workshops by arrangment.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, Butterflies, butterfly necklace, metal clay construction, metal clay workshop, Yorkshire

Making beads in silver clay

March 7, 2012 2 Comments

I have done a little more work on the hollow metal clay beads I began last week. These are charm style bracelet beads made in sections using art clay silver, dried and then assembled. To ensure a good finish I make sure the bead is really smooth before I begin to apply the lines or pattern. The decorative lines are then applied using syringe type art clay silver.

I put a pair of small tweezers right through the hole and (as long as I remember not to grip the handles) this keeps the bead quite secure while I am applying the syringe lines. I do them in stages, drying each line as I go. This helps to prevent lines from getting squashed or blurred. Once it is thoroughly dry I go back around it very carefully adding a little paste into any gaps between the bead and applied line and smoothing where necessary.

I teach this as part of my Making beads in silver clay class. Please contact Lynne if you would like to learn this technique or have a look on my website for other classes.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Charm beads, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling classes, Glass bead jewellery, Glass beads, Hollow beads in metal clay, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Lampwork beads, Learn to enamel, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver beads, Silver clay classes, Sterling silver clay, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver beads, bead making classes, charm beads, Jewellery making, Large holed silver beads, Metal clay, Yorkshire

Art clay certification, level 1

March 5, 2012 Leave a comment

Late booking – I still have one place left on the forthcoming Art Clay silver certification course starting on 31st March 2012. The course follows the syllabus set out by the Aida Corporation, the producers of art clay and involves making seven projects over a four day period. These projects are designed to introduce different forms of art clay silver and develop your skills in using this exciting medium. Why not grab this opportunity to learn more – I only run this course twice a year.

For more information email Lynne

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with Art clay course, Jewellery making, Metal clay, Silver clay, workshops, Yorkshire

In the studio

February 5, 2012 Leave a comment

I have been in the studio all day today with Jonathan helping me to set up the big kilns and fix the kiln controllers to the walls ready to use. We have also set up the torch so I am all ready to make some new glass beads.

We have put the two tables back in and swapped the legs on one of them. I feel as though we have had a really productive day although still not had a chance to make anything.

I have a half made butterfly that I fired a few days ago waiting for me to finish it off

Hopefully, now I can find most of my tools and have my bench set up I will be able to finish it later this week.

If you are interested in taking a class the full schedule can be found on my website

Filed under art clay silver, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, Tools and tips, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, kiln controllers, kilns, lamp work beads, workshops, Yorkshire

Introduction to metal clay

February 1, 2012 Leave a comment

Metal clay is a wonderful materials to work with. It consists of very fine metal particles, silver, copper, bronze or even gold, mixed with an organic binder and water. In an introductory class you should learn basic handling and shaping, drying, firing and finishing techniques.

In Lynne’s introduction to silver clay she will teach you how to keep the clay moist and give tips about the working time of the clay and what to do if it begins to dry out. She will show you ways to store unused clay and explain the need for lubrication of tools, hands and surfaces.
You will learn about basic tools – roller, work surface, cutters, textures, drinking straws and other useful implements and how to roll out the clay to a consistent thickness.

The class will include methods of texturing the clay and show you how to make holes for hanging earrings or pendants. Lynne will explain the need for drying the clay before firing and you will learn techniques to refine edges and surfaces of your design. Once your piece is fully dry you will learn about firing methods and techniques and then, once fired you will finish your jewellery to a high standard ready to wear. At the end of the day you will have made two or three small pieces of pure silver jewellery.

This is the perfect course for anyone with an interest in jewellery who would like to make something in precious metal.

You can then follow it with something slightly more advanced such as ring making or making hollow forms, to develop your skills further. Here are some of Lynne’s hollow lentil beads under construction.

Filed under art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, Tools and tips, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with classes, introduction to metal clay, Metal clay, Silver clay, Yorkshire

New class dates

January 25, 2012 1 Comment

Sunday 4th March 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver charm beads £125
Saturday 10th March 2012 Enamelling £140
Sunday 25th March 2012 Prong settings for beach glass £140
Friday 30th March 2012 Hollow beads in metal clay £140

Wednesday 25th April 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125
Friday 27th April 2012 Silver clay ring making £140
Saturday 28th April 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125
Sunday 29th April 2012 Silver clay ring making £140
Monday 30th April 2012 Hollow beads in metal clay £140

Saturday 5th May 2012 Enamelling £140
Sunday 6th May 2012 Enamelling £140
Wednesday 9th May 2012 Enamelling on art clay silver £140
Thursday 10th May 2012 Enamelling £140

Tuesday 29th May to Friday 1st June 2012 Colour and metal clay £540 (or £140 for individual days) – Four days designing and making colourful jewellery including adding patina, coloured pencil, resin and an introduction to enamel

Saturday 2nd June 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125

Special open day Wednesday 13th June 2012 – Art Clay demonstrations (drop in session)

**Stop Press
**Saturday and Sunday 7th and 8th July 2012 Special Two Day Enamelling workshop with Guest Tutor Tilly Wilkinson Images into Enamel £150 per person for the two day class, includes some materials – see website for more details.
This class is the first weekend of the Guild of Enamellers Exhibition at the Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby

**Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th August Special Two Day Enamelling workshop with Guest Tutor
details to follow or email Lynne

Saturday 8th September 2012 Introduction to Art Clay Silver £125

(other dates by arrangement)

Art Clay Level 1 certification £580
Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th March 2012, Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April 2012
Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th August, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September 2012
This is a four day course following the syllabus set by the Aida Corporation (manufacturers of Art Clay Silver)
Seven projects are made over the four day period, including rings, earrings, pendants and a brooch. The course fee includes the materials to make the seven projects and the use of tools and equipment. The projects are assessed and if completed successfully an application for the certificate will be made to the Art Clay UK Guild. If any of the projects are unsuccessful then arrangements can be made to ‘remake’ them at additional cost to the student.

Master Classes

Plique a jour enamel in art clay silver with Lynne Glazzard £300
Saturday 28th July and Sunday 29th July 2012, a two day workshop. On the first day you will design and make silver earrings, learning the basic principles of design for plique a jour enamel and firing and finishing them ready for the second day. On day two you will learn to prepare the enamel and to apply it, firing and gradually building up the cells until they are filled. You will then give the pieces a final finish and add the findings ready to wear. The course includes small amounts of three enamel colours, enough to complete the project.

Cloisonne enamel on art clay silver with Lynne Glazzard £280
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October 2012, a two day workshop. On the first day you will design and make a silver pendant, learning about design for enamel.
On the second day you will prepare and apply wire patterns followed by thin layers of enamel, firing each layer in turn. You will then learn methods for finishing the piece to a high standard. The course includes small amounts of enamel, enough to complete the project.

Glass and art clay silver combination beads with Lynne Glazzard £280
Thursday 8th and Friday 9th November 2012 – two day workshop. On the first day you will learn to apply a variety of art clay silver products to the surface of glass beads before firing and annealing them in the kiln. On day two you will make some art clay silver beads to complement the glass beads before finishing them all to a high standard. Some glass beads are included in the course fee but not the art clay silver. A detailed materials list will be supplied in advance but you will need approximately 20g Art Clay 650; 10g Syringe type, Art Clay Silver Overlay paste

Other dates by arrangement. Booking essential

Email Lynne to book

Terms and conditions 50% deposit required to confirm a place, balance payable by cheque or cash 7 days prior to the first day of the class.

We require 7 days notice of cancellation so that we can resell the workshop place.
In the event of cancellation more than 7 days before the class the deposit can be carried over to another mutually convenient date.
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 we have to cancel a workshop we 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.
We reserve the rights to vary these terms and conditions at any time.

The studio is based in the beautiful village of Glaisdale approximately 12 miles from Whitby on the North Yorkshire Moors.

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Art Clay Silver Courses, Enamel jewellery, Enamel silver jewellery, Enamelling, Enamelling classes, Hollow beads in metal clay, Jewellery, jewellery making class, Lampwork beads, Metal clay, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, photopolymer plates, PMC, Silver and enamel jewellery, Silver beads, Silver clay classes, Sterling silver clay, Uncategorized, workshops, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, enamel on copper, enamel silver jewellery, enamelling classes, Jewellery, Learn to enamel, Masterclasses, north Yorkshire, Rings, Yorkshire

More classes for 2012

December 7, 2011 Leave a comment

I am gradually adding more dates for classes in art clay silver, metal clay, jewellery making and enamelling in Yorkshire for 2012 up onto my website

There will be all kinds of exciting classes going on in my redesigned studio, why not come along and see just how creative you can be? With Lynne’s guidance you are sure to make beautiful pieces of jewellery – surprise yourself or a loved one in 2012!

There will be classes at all levels, from introductory to advanced in metal clay, jewellery making and enamelling. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for just send me a message and I will devise something specifically for you.

Filed under Art clay certification courses, art clay silver, Enamelling classes, jewellery making class, Metal clay classes in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Silver clay classes, Workshops in North Yorkshire Tagged with art clay silver, metal clay classes, Yorkshire

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