Classes
Want to learn more about Metal Clay? Watch this video to get a taste of what working with PMC is all about. If you want more, scroll down for information on classes.
I am offering introductory, intermediate and advanced-level classes at my home studio in Asheville, North Carolina. Masks will only be required if the student in unvaccinated. If you are starting at the beginning or need a refresher class, I recommend you sign up for an intro class. If you have been through an intro class with me or another teacher you are welcome to sign up for my intermediate classes and bring your own tools and clay.
Introduction to Silver Metal Clay: January 7th, 2024
Enameling on Silver Metal Clay: January 13th-14th, 2024
Stone Setting in Silver Metal Clay: January 20th-21st, 2024
Photo Polymer Plates: January 27th-28th, 2024
Normally Offered Classes:
Introduction to Silver Metal Clay (or refresher class): January 7th, 2024
Asheville Studio:
This one-day workshop will teach you a variety of basic techniques that will enable you to make your own one-of-a-kind silver creation. Learn to create fine silver metal clay pieces utilizing the techniques of cutting, forming, texturing, bail making, drilling, firing, polishing and adding a patina. At the completion of the workshop, you will have two or more completed pieces to take home with you. Tool kits and metal clay will be provided, just bring your imagination! Also great for those who need a refresher class, reminding them how to work with metal clay.
Class Fee: $125 Materials Fee: $75 (includes tool kit and 15g pack of silver metal clay)
Reserve your spot with a deposit here! *Please note which date in the 'notes' section*
Jewelry Making Techniques in Silver Metal Clay
Explore jewelry making using silver metal clay. Silver metal clay is clay made of metal particles, which allows you to sculpt and create pieces that become solid, fine silver when kiln-fired. Techniques we'll cover include: texturing the clay (with drawn, found, or provided textures), dry construction, firing, stone setting, forming bails, creating patina, and polishing. We may also explore stone setting and making your own stamps with photo polymer plates. Expect to complete multiple projects of your own designs. All skill levels welcome.
Individual metal clay Classes:
To be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. This can be an Introductory class or can be used for more advanced techniques and will be structured around the interest of the student. Bring ideas and initiative and we will make as many pieces as time will allow. Materials fee will cover one package of 15g of metal clay and a tool kit if needed.
Class Fee: $160 per student Materials Fee: $75 for clay and tools as needed.
Please email me if you are interested in an individual class. Intermediate classes are open to those who have taken an intro class, have previous metal clay experience or at instructors discretion.
amy (at) amybrandenburg (dot) com
Intermediate Metal Clay Classes:
Open to students who have taken my Intro class or have worked with metal clay previously and can show some proficiency. Tools and clay are available for purchase but not included in the class fee. Please bring your own tools and clay whenever possible to the intermediate classes.
Enameling on Metal Clay: January 13th-14th, 2024
Add color to your metal clay creations with glass enamel. We will create a silver metal clay piece with a recessed design that can be enameled using the champlevé technique. Similar to cloisonné but without having to add wires, we will fill in crevasses we create in our pieces with powdered glass and then fire. This will be a two day class. The first day we will design and create our piece, firing overnight, and the second day we will add the enamel and fire and finish our pieces. The class will begin at 10am on the first day and end at 5pm. The second day will begin at 10am and will conclude when our pieces are finished. Leaded enamels will be used so safety measures will be addressed.
Class Fee: $200 Materials Fee: $20
Reserve your spot with a deposit here!
At least 15 grams of silver metal clay is recommended for this workshop. Clay may be purchased in advance or in class. Please bring your own tools or you may purchase or borrow a tool kit at the class. Previous experience working with metal clay is very helpful.
Stone Settings in Silver Metal Clay: January 20th-21st, 2024
This two-day workshop will teach you to set both a non-fire-able cabochon and small fire-able faceted stones in a silver metal clay pendant or earrings to be designed and created by the student. We will make 1-2 pieces using silver metal clay and silver flex clay. Cabochons (of any variety) must be provided by the student. We will create a setting for your cabochon using metal flex clay and after it is fired we can set the stone in place. Silver flex clay is great for creating bezels for stones, once it is air dried it remains flexible and can be bent around your stone without cracking. Cabochons can also be set using bezel wire and we will discuss this and other alternate methods. Fire-able faceted stones will be set them using a flush setting method or a bezel setting. Faceted stones may be provided by the teacher or the student. Please make sure they are fire-able stones. If you have questions about which stones can be fired please let me know. Clay and tools can be provided upon request.
Class Fee: $175 Materials Fee: $20
Reserve your spot with a deposit here!
At least 15 grams of silver metal clay is recommended for this workshop. Clay may be purchased in advance or in class. Please bring your own tools or you may purchase or borrow a tool kit at the class. Previous experience working with metal clay is very helpful but not required.
Photo Polymer Plates and Silver Metal Clay: January 27th-28th, 2024
A chance to make your own designs or inspirations into a crisp stamp that you can then use in Metal clay. These stamps can be used for a long time and will become part of your metal clay repertoire. There is some homework associated with this class: an image from you that you hand draw, design on the computer or that is copyright free. Send in the image as soon as possible, but at least by the Monday before the class, so we can send them to the printers to have them printed on transparency. Images that work best are graphic with bold lines. Anything with too fine a line will be much harder to achieve. So find that image or idea that you have always wanted to make into a piece of jewelry and send it to me. This is a two day class and plate making materials will be provided. We will spend the first half day making our stamp and the second half creating our piece from silver metal clay with our new stamp. The second day we will finish and fire the piece and it will be ready to go by the end of class. Class will run a full day on Saturday from 10-5 and possibly a full day on Sunday, but we may be finished earlier, starting at 10am and ending no later than 5pm.
Class Fee: $175 Materials Fee: $20
Reserve your spot with a deposit here!
At least 15 grams of silver metal clay is recommended for this workshop. Clay may be purchased in advance or in class. Please bring your own tools or you may purchase or borrow a tool kit at the class. Previous experience working with metal clay is very helpful, but not required.
Bronze and Copper Clay:
This introduction to base metal clays will help you to understand the joys and pitfalls of this type of clay. Base metal clays are similar to use in the clay stage but harder to get successful pieces out of once they are fired. Much more affordable in cost that is sometimes balanced out by firing failures. This class will address the many types of base metal clays available, testing practices for how to learn to use your kiln and the different types of containers and carbons available. We will be using Metal Adventures BRONZ Clay and COPPR Clay. At least one piece in bronze and one in copper will be completed by the end of class (if all goes well). Please be aware of possible issues during firing. Firing times are around 4 ½ hours for Copper and 3 ½ for Bronze so firings will happen overnight between class days. Separate tools are recommended for silver clay and bronze and copper clay. You are welcome to bring any tools you may have, or you can purchase or borrow a tool kit from me. Tools previously used for silver clay may be washed for use in base metals and bronze and copper do not need separate tools. Like all my classes, I teach the techniques that I use and that work best for me. I encourage experimentation in the use of many types of clay, carbon and containers outside of class.
Class Fee: $175 Materials Fee: $10 unless clay or tools need to be purchased.
Reserve your spot with a deposit here!
30 g of COPPR and 30 g of BRONZ clay is recommended for this workshop. Clay may be purchased in advance or in class. Tools separate from your silver clay tools are recommended or clean your silver tools thoroughly before using on base metal clays and vice versa. Previous experience working with metal clay is very helpful, but not required.