Metal Clay Academy 2 Day Launchpad
Agenda and Running Order
Day 1
Tea, coffee, Tutor introductions and housekeeping - who are we and where are the toilets?
Outline of the session objectives - what are we going to learn and make?
A brief history of silver clay and base metal clay - nothing too boring
Tutor demonstration
Planning and preparation - tools, equipment, work station
Project 1 - Layered Pendant (Fine silver clay)
Tutor demonstration 1
Preparing the clay, rolling, texturing, cutting, drying
Now it’s your turn! - Tutor guidance throughout so don’t worry, you’re not on your own
Tutor demonstration 2
Sanding and smoothing
Refining the design and textures
Take your time, your clay is really brittle at this stage but your tutor will guide you through this bit
Tutor demonstration 3
Drilling holes
It’s a tricky process but patience is the key
Tutor demonstration 4
Cold connecting: joining without solder
Another delicate task but that’s why you’re here, right? To learn how to do this.
Final drying before our piece is ready for firing, so let’s move on!
Project 2 - Overlap Ring (Fine silver clay)
Recap of planning and preparation
Tutor demonstration 1
Design your ring - get your ideas down on paper and get sketching
Lunch - Good because I’m starving!
Project 2 Tutor demonstration 2
Rolling, sizing, cutting, shaping, setting the gemstone
It’s time to make your sketching come to life. Don’t forget, you’re on your own
Tutor demonstration 3
Sanding and smoothing inside and out
It’s easier to do it now than when after your ring is fired
Tutor demonstration 4
Finishing touches before the final drying session
Firing time!
Your pieces are in the kiln so now we discuss firing options
Tutor demonstration - Torch firing
Student torch firing session - don’t worry, if you get it wrong you will damage my piece not yours!
(places may be limited by number of students)
Your pieces are now in the kiln
Discussion on the finish after the firing has finished
Fine Silver Post Fired
Polishing, Finishing and Detailing
Layered pendant and wrap ring (Fine silver)
Tutor demonstration 1
Compression and raw finish detailing on silver clay
Tutor demonstration 2
Polishing papers - understanding the grits to use on silver clay
Tutor demonstration 3
Burnishing and more intricate raw finish detailing on silver clay
Tutor demonstration 4
Mechanical polishing tool options - what to use and how on silver clay
Tutor demonstration 5
Patina - when and when not to use, options and finishes
Practical - decide on your finish based on your design and feel free to discuss with your tutor
Time to shine!
Tutor Assessments and feedback - Silver
Day 2
Tutor presentation
Base metal clay - an introduction, the similarities and the differences to silver clay
Project 3 - Copper Clay Necklace
Tutor design demonstration and guidance
Your time to shine and design based on what your tutor has shown you
Tutor demonstration 1
Preparing the base metal clay
Texturing, cutting, shaping, drying
Practical - your turn and time to have some fun
Tutor demonstration 2
Smoothing and sanding base metal clay. Discover the differences
Practical
Tutor demonstration 3
Drilling base metal clay
Practical
Tutor demonstration 4
Cold connecting
Practical
Finishing touches and refinement before final drying
Project 4 - Bronze Clay Brooch
Tutor design demonstration and guidance
Your time to shine and design based on what your tutor has shown you
Tutor demonstration 1
Preparing the bronze clay
Texturing, cutting, shaping, drying
Practical - your turn and time to have some fun
Tutor demonstration 2
Smoothing and sanding bronze clay. Discover the differences
Practical
Tutor demonstration 3
Prefiring/greenware detailing on bronze clay
Practical
Tutor demonstration 4
Brooch pin alignment and surface preparation
Practical
Finishing touches and refinement before final drying
Lunch - probably a little later than yesterday
Copper pieces are ready for the kiln
Base metal kiln firing talk - Copper clay, the options, the differences, the pitfalls
Bronze pieces are ready for the kiln
Base metal kiln firing talk - Bronze clay, the options, the differences, the pitfalls
Base Metal Polishing, Finishing and Detailing
Tutor demonstration 1
Post fire cleaning and preparation on copper clay, use of wet and dry, coarse sanding pads
Tutor demonstration 2
Polishing papers - understanding the grits to use copper clay
Tutor demonstration 3
Mechanical polishing tool options - what to use and how on copper clay
Tutor demonstration 4
Burnishing and more intricate raw finish detailing on copper clay
Practical - It’s time to get the elbow grease out!
Dressing
Tutor demonstration 1
Copper necklace
Attaching jump rings and bails - discussion on size, style and prominence
Tutor demonstration 2
Bronze brooch
Attaching brooch pin - another cold connection
Base metal tutor assessments and feedback
Assessment one to one session (optional)
Diploma and Further Certification Consultation (optional)
Studio free time (optional)