Arlene Mornick-Introduction to Metal Clay

One-day class: 10 am to 4 pm.  (students are to bring lunch for ½ hour break)

Fee: $220 This includes materials and the $25 studio fee.

Class is canceled due to limited enrollment. Contact hello@studio55martinez.com if you are interested in a class after the first of the year.

Metal clay is amazing - it starts as clay but fires into pure silver. You can form it with simple tools, even set stones in it, and fire it with a butane cooking torch or small kiln. When fired, the clay-like binders burn off as the pure silver molecules fuse together. 

This class is designed for both beginning students and those seeking to refresh skills and learn new ones. During this in-depth orientation to Metal Clay students will create a pendant and a pair of earrings.. The initial project provides a foundation for learning thickness, rollout, texture, and carving techniques. 

Beyond the basic skills required for this project, more advanced techniques will be taught including fold-forming moistened clay, setting small cabochons, drying, firing with torch and kiln, final finishing and polishing, and repairs before and after firing.

Students will learn to fire their projects with a butane torch – safe to do at home and if preferable a kiln.  Safety precautions and setup will be reviewed.  After firing manual polishing and finishing will be taught. 

Techniques taught:

·         how to choose and condition metal clay

·         basic metal clay fabrication techniques

·         setting and firing stones in metal clay

·         torch firing metal clay

·         Kiln firing metal clay

·         Texture, fold forming, and carving techniques

·         Repairs and troubleshooting

·         Polishing after firing