Metal Clay Launchpad - 2 Day Course
The New Metal Clay Academy Launchpad - 2 Day Course
Take your jewellery making to another level with this full on metal clay workshop designed to make you Metal Clay Academy Diploma ready.
The Metal Clay Academy Launchpad is not just another silver clay workshop, it will prepare you for an exciting journey down the road to metal clay excellence.
This is the only Metal Clay Course to be officially endorsed by The National Association of Jewellers in recognition of NAJ trusted education and training.
What is the Metal Clay Academy Launchpad?
The Launchpad is a fully immersive workshop where you will not only learn the basic fundamentals of making jewellery with metal clay, but you’ll also get an insight into the follow-on Diploma and Certification Courses available at Metal Clay Academy.
With the option of a 1 Day or 2 Day Launchpad Workshop, you will be introduced to the magic of metal clay and be shown how to make some fantastic jewellery that you’ll be able to take away with you on the day.
We promise you a full on experience and from the beginning we will introduce you to what metal clay is and its history. From there we will walk you through the essential fundamentals of planning your project, setting up your work station and preparing your tools. These points are often overlooked but are essential for getting the best from your materials. Throughout the session you will undertake 3 projects (4 projects on the 2 Day Launchpad) and these cover the essential fundamentals and key techniques for working with metal clay. These projects are designed to not only show you the versatility of metal clay but will also give you some freedom to experiment and get your creative juices flowing.
How does The Metal Clay Academy Launchpad differ from other introductory courses?
The Metal Clay Academy Launchpad has been designed and created for anyone who is at the start of their metal clay journey and is looking for a structured introduction to working with this amazing material. What makes The Metal Clay Academy Launchpad the perfect choice is because it will introduce you to some key skills required for working with metal clay from the start. We know that many other silver clay workshops show you how to make some very simple but pretty jewellery, we teach you the essential fundamentals that will ensure that you will, not only take your metal clay work to another level, but we will set you on the way to making award and competition ready pieces.
What's more, you will also work with copper clay on the 1 Day Launchpad and copper and bronze clay on the 2 Day Launchpad. This will give you an insight into the similarities as well as the distinct differences between silver clay and base metal clay and how to get the best out of each of them.
Project 1 To begin with you will make a layered pendant that will teach you so many techniques in one project. In this one piece you will learn how to roll, texture, cut, shape, condition, refine, drill, connect, fire, polish and finish. You will make your piece to a brief set by your tutor so it will be time to bring out your creative side. It is a project that, alone, demonstrates so many different key techniques and is a great foundation to set you on the way for the rest of the course. Polishing and finishing is all important and, although we cover this with a thorough demonstration on the subject, you will be given the next steps for you to continue your polishing at home at your leisure.
Project 2 The next project is an overlap ring, again to a brief but after you have had a full demonstration from your tutor. Rings are a popular choice in jewellery making but making rings from silver clay can be challenging, especially when it comes to the sizing because of the shrinkage. After your sketching and planning session, you will again work to a brief set by your tutor and, don't forget, we will be on hand to guide you through the process so you have our full support. And, as with your silver pendant, you will receive instruction on how to continue polishing your ring in order to achieve the finish you want.
Project 3 will introduce you to copper clay, one of the base metal clay products that we feature in several of our courses. For project 3 you will make a copper necklace based on a brief given to you by your tutor. There is plenty of flexibility in this project to change the design if you are bursting with ideas. Whilst the basic fundamentals of working with base metal clay and silver clay are very similar, there are also subtle but significant differences in order to get the best from your project. Base metals can be harder to polish and we know that, when you're just starting out, you probably won't have any electric polishing tools to make that job easier. We talk you through the best tools for the job that suits your budget. This project is a great introduction to our Base Metal Fundamentals Certification and The Metal Clay Academy Diploma (launching in 2027).
Project 4 (2 Day Launchpad only) is exclusive to the 2 Day Launchpad and introduces you to Bronze Clay, another of our base metals. For this project you will make a golden bronze brooch. Bronze clay has, yet again, small differences that can make a big impact on how you work with your clay and how your finished piece will look. This project also introduces you to detailing on base metal clay and how to create a contrasting finish. Your tutor will also introduce you to polishing and highlighting to really elevate your base metal clay work.
And, if we have some time and clay left, you will be able to freestyle it a little and make an extra piece based on some of the techniques you've been shown across the 2 days. Now there's an exciting challenge.
Throughout the course we will be discussing and demonstrating various aspects of working with metal clay, not only to increase your knowledge, but also help structure a development pathway for you.
At the end of the course you will have the opportunity to have your work assessed and marked by your tutor. This will give you an idea of what to expect in the Diploma as well as our follow on courses. You will also be given a Certificate of Achievement and details of your marks for future reference. Of course, you don't have to know your marks if you don't want to, it's up to you, and you will still receive a certificate.
You will also receive a development plan which will help you decide what your next steps are. If you decide to sign up the Diploma, your tutor will guide you through what's involved and support you with your application.
Why not have a look at the schedule for each of the Launchpad Courses.
1 Day Launchpad Agenda
2 Day Launchpad Agenda
FAQ's
Do I need to have experience with metal clay?
Absolutely not! The Metal Clay Academy Launchpad has been created for the total beginner and is designed to introduce you to working with metal clay in a classroom environment and with a tutor on hand to support you every step of the way, something you don't get with an online tutorial. What’s more you don’t need to bring any tools, materials or metal clay, we provide everything you need.
Why is there a 1 day and a 2 day option?
We wanted to give you the option of 1 or 2 days depending on your circumstances. It may be that you can only get 1 day off work or possibly a day trip on the train is more convenient for you. For those of you who select the 1 Day Launchpad, we pack as much information and tuition as we can into the day without trying to overload you. The 1 Day Launchpad includes 3 projects which will be very good going for the time we have but it is a very well planned day and there’ll be a lot to do. Whilst we try to get a prompt start at 9.30, our 5.30pm finish is flexible. We want you to get the most from your day and like to make sure you are going away knowing you have achieved a lot and have a clear plan for what’s next. And, although the 2 day Launchpad includes an additional project, the fact that the remainder of the Course is spread out a little more across the 2 days gives us time to cover those fundamentals in more detail.
Do I have to sign up for the Diploma after the Launchpad workshop?
Not at all. The Launchpad has been designed to introduce you to working with metal clay and will give you a great insight into the fundamentals and the techniques. It is entirely up to you whether or not you sign up for a Diploma. You may even wish to consider one of our shorter Certification Courses but, even then, the choice is entirely yours. Remember that the cost of your Launchpad Workshop will be deducted from the Diploma fee if you choose to do the Diploma which is a bit like getting your Launchpad Workshop for nothing.(Terms apply)
Can I sign up for the Diploma or a Certification Course without doing the Launchpad Workshop?
Absolutely! If you feel you’re ready to take the next step without the Launchpad Workshop that’s absolutely fine. We’ll guide you through the next steps with registration and can’t wait for you to join us.
The 1 Day Launchpad seems a long day, what about breaks?
That's a good point. Tea breaks are scheduled throughout the day and we insist on taking a lunchbreak away from the bench to help recharge your batteries. We are not fans of working through your lunch and eating at the bench. It's not the crumbs we are bothered about, it's you not getting a proper break. Another point to add is that nobody is kicked out of the door at the end of the day's session. You are free to stay back and continue to work on your pieces and make use of the studio facilities whilst you're there or you may want to talk to us more about further courses to help you decide what's next for you. And if you're bracing yourself for a long drive home, we are happy for you to stay back and grab another coffee or a bite to eat before you hit the road.
What Diploma or Certification choices do I have?
The Metal Clay Academy Diploma will launch in January 2027 but, in the meantime, Metal Clay Academy offers a choice of short and medium Certification Courses in both silver clay and base metal clay. The Certification Courses can be anything from 1 day to 4 days in length and are skills based workshops covering a variety of projects.
Who is my tutor?
Richard Allen is a metal clay artist, award winning jewellery maker, tutor and co-creator of The Metal Clay Academy Launchpad. He started his career in the jewellery industry way back in 1985 when he began making and selling fashion jewellery with his Mum, who had worked in the industry from a very early age. After several successful years, Richard decided to leave the industry to build a career in recruitment and training, eventually moving into merchandising and mentoring providing services to various high street retailers.
Richard returned to jewellery in 2018 and set up a new studio in 2020, this time working more and more with metal clay. After initially teaching private lessons, he began running public workshops in 2024. Richard also makes jewellery and regulaly showcases his work in Hatton Garden, London. He has also had his work on display in Japan and Poland as well various galleries across the UK. In October 2025, Richard won The People's Choice Award for Collection of the Year in the Professional Jeweller Awards and also Forge Showcase of the Month in March 2025. He has also been nominated for various other awards including Emerging Designer in the UK Jewellery Awards, Community Initiative Award in the Professional Jewellery Awards, Community Arts Award in The Yorkshire Choice Awards and Creative Arts Award in the Small Business Awards. Along with his business partner, Lesley, Richard offers business mentoring to start up businesses and graduate designers in the jewellery, fashion and arts sector.
Want to know more? email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp us on 07828394521
