The Silver Clay Certification Fast-track is a highly regarded Silver Clay Certification program that has been running since 2003 The programme consists of 3 separate modules, each focused on teaching 5-7 different technique areas, that when combined give you a sound knowledge and hands on experience of a broad range of silver clay techniques. Perfect for helping you to build your confidence and develop an in-depth understanding of working with silver clay, whilst achieving a certification for personal or professional development.
What will I learn?
Module 1
'Naturals'
This module looks at using the natural, clay like properties of silver clay and combining them with natural, organic materials such as leaves, twigs & pods.
As with all our Silver Clay Certification courses, you'll need some experience before you start, so if you've not completed a 1 day beginners class previously, ensure you complete our free training 'Get started with silver clay...in 6 easy steps' and make a few simple pieces to build some hands on experience.
Module 1 will teach you how to:
- Work with combustible materials, for example leaves, seed pods and paper
- Make unique moulds
- Set fireable gemstones using simple bezels and design elements
- Use Silver Clay paste to create strong, durable designs
- Work with bought textures and what to consider when choosing between low and high relief textures
- Add tube and fancy bails to your designs
- Correctly size and make a strong, textured band ring
- Use Silver Clay lump form with moulds
- Form strong joins between multiple pieces of dry silver clay
- Incorporate glass into your designs
- Make dry construction designs
- Correctly size and make a designer toggle clasp
- Carve silver clay
- Understand sintering and the effect of various firing shcedules
- Work with Silver Clay in lump and paste forms
- Refine your designs and prepare them for firing
- Finish your designs to a high standard
The above techniques are taught via the following learning projects, for which you have complete design freedom:
1) Moulded pendant with a fireable gemstone
2) Naturally formed pendant, charm or bead
3) Domed (lentil) bead
4) Designer toggle clasp
5) Textured band ring
6) Dichroic glass pendant
What you will need to complete Module 1:
To complete this course you will need the following silver clay supplies. This course is brand-neutral, so you are free to work with any brand of fine silver (999) clay:
- 40g silver clay
- 20g silver clay paste
Please note, the above assumes your designs will be a similar size to the teaching examples - if you wish to make larger pieces, you will need more silver clay.
A full list of tools, equipment and consumables is supplied prior to starting each module.
Module 2
'High Finish'
This module focuses on achieving a professional finish. Learn the tricks of the trade to achieve this all of the time on all your work. If you're interested in making keepsake jewellery, many of the techniques taught are relevant to that.
As with all our Silver Clay Certification courses, you'll need some experience before you start, so if you've not completed a 1 day beginners class previously, ensure you complete our free training 'Get started with silver clay...in 6 easy steps' and make a few simple pieces to build some hands on experience.
Module 2 will teach you how to:
- Add colour to your designs using Japanese enamels and hot enamel techniques
- Use advanced polishing techniques to achieve a mirror shine finish
- Set non-fireable gemstones using traditional stone-setting techniques
- Work with bought textures and what to consider when choosing between low and high relief textures
- Combine PMC with bisque to create designer focal beads
- Create secure connections between separate wet and dry silver clay elements
- Correctly size and make a strong, 2-part ring
- Incorporate ceramics into your designs
- Use patina products to create colour effects on on your designs
- torch fire with confidence
- Work with Silver Clay in lump and paste forms
- Resolve issues in the pre-fired state
- Finish your designs to a high standard by hand
The above techniques are taught via the following learning projects, for which you have complete design freedom:
1) Enamelled pendant
2) Textured pendant with accent
3) Ring set with natural gemstone
4) Designer focal bead
5) Keepsake pendant
6) Patina 101
What you will need to complete Module 2:
To complete this course you will need the following silver clay supplies. This course is brand-neutral, so you are free to work with any brand of fine silver (999) clay:
- 40g silver clay
- 20g silver clay paste
Please note, the above assumes your designs will be a similar size to the teaching examples - if you wish to make larger pieces, you will need more silver clay.
A full list of tools, equipment and consumables is supplied prior to starting each module.
Module 3
'Innovative Design'
This module is about incorporating new and exciting design elements, and working with all the different types of Silver Clay to create unique designs. So if you're interested in experimenting and making individual pieces, this module is for you.
As with all our Silver Clay Certification courses, you'll need some experience before you start, so if you've not completed a 1 day beginners class previously, ensure you complete our free training 'Get started with silver clay...in 6 easy steps' and make a few simple pieces to build some hands on experience.
Module 3 will teach you how to:
- Set a fireable gemstone
- Use the principles of flush setting to set stones in silver clay
- Create filigree effects in your designs
- Create unique textures
- Enhance your designs with gold leaf
- Incorporate sterling silver into your designs
- Create chain links
- Work with Silver Clay in syringe and paper forms
- Understand the difference between different types of Silver Clay
- Deal with issues at the metal stage
- Get the most out of your kiln
- Use machine polishing techniques to finish your designs
The above techniques are taught via the following learning projects, for which you have complete design freedom:
1) Ring with a fireable gemstone
2) Syringe 'filigree'
3) Paper 'quilling'
4) Texture making & Keum Boo
5) Stud earrings
6) Designer chains
What you will need to complete Module 3:
To complete this course you will need the following silver clay supplies. This course is brand-neutral, so you are free to work with any brand of fine silver (999) clay:
- 40g silver clay
- 10g silver clay syringe
- 10g silver clay paper type
- 20g silver clay paste
Please note, the above assumes your designs will be a similar size to the teaching examples - if you wish to make larger pieces, you will need more silver clay.
A full list of tools, equipment and consumables is supplied prior to starting each module.