NM100 - Creative Silver Modelling Techniques

What Is Metal Clay

'Metal clay' is a new jewellery technology that comes from advances in powder metallurgy. It is composed of pure silver particles, water and binders. In this form it is soft and malleable like plasticine: very easy to sculpt into any shape you can imagine. When your design is ready, you 'fire' the piece - raising it to high temperatures and causing the water and binders to evaporate and the metal particles to 'sinter' or fuse together, leaving a solid metal jewellery design. In this Silver-jewellery making workshop, you will use Silver Metal Clay, and produce a design in pure silver (999 silver, more pure than sterling or 925 silver!)

Course outline

Begin your journey as a precious metal artist with the latest technology in hand fabrication: Powder metallurgy. Form ‘metal clay’ to create pure silver jewellery such as rings, pendants, earrings and brooches. Learn and perfect a variety of modelling methods, various gemstone setting techniques and, after firing, traditional and non-traditional jewellery finishing techniques to create spectacular silver jewellery. The programme consists of 6 directed projects and 1 final project and assessment divided over 5 days.

Introduction to Powder Metallurgy

Understand the varieties of metal clay available; learn about firing alternatives and special techniques for modelling with each. With pendant(s) as your first project, you will learn about working with the clay types, keeping your projects malleable, creating shapes and joining pieces to form solid metal parts. Your first projects are fired on a gas-stove, ensuring you are comfortable when working from home.

Create Simple Rings with Prong Set Gems

Learn how to use gemstone heads to securely set gemstones using prongs in any design. Learn the precise measurements needed to produce custom-fit rings and explore additional finishing options. Your second project involves more accuracy, ensuring proper fit, and provides more opportunities to practice finishing techniques.

Clay Types & Forms with Unique Uses & Setting Styles

This class teaches the many uses of the syringe-type metal clay to produce larger but light weight creations. The syringe allows greater accuracy in directing the design into more intricate patterns. An interesting and useful bezel-style stone setting technique is incorporated into your third project to add colour and interest.

Create Light Weight Hollow Jewellery

By forming basic shapes in a material called 'Cork' clay which burns at a lower temperature than the metal clay we can achieve wonderful, large-but-light designer jewellery. This addictive technique allows you to produce stunning one-of-kind centrepieces and your fifth project will leave others wondering just how it could have been manufactured.

Achieve a Patina Finish

Enhance your designs with an antiqued look or create modern, geometric and high-contrast pieces. Go beyond basic techniques, learning how to work with large and small designs, how to extend the life of your sulphurising compound, and ideal temperatures, timings and tips for creating even patinas with different tones.

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