 Silver Clay Jewellery I’ve been on this course myself three times and I still haven’t got it out of my system just yet! What is it with jewellery that’s so fascinating? Perhaps it’s something to do with how it makes you feel. How do you make silver clay jewellery? Silver clay is a lovely new material which is fully mouldable, just like clay. You can shape it free-hand, or use moulds and tools to texture and shape it, and then fire it into fine silver (99.9% pure silver). Firing is by specialist kiln or there are alternative firing techniques you can do yourself at home. You can learn the techniques in a matter of hours, then go onto design and create jewellery in the same day. Silver clay moulds very much like Play-Doh, so if your design works there, it will look even better in fine silver. TIP: practice on Play-Doh first, not on your silver clay! I made two pendants on my first day, and three rings the next. Give them a polish (by machine or by hand), add chains or fixings, jewels, pearls and a lovely box, and your indulgence is complete. Silver clay comes in a lovely paste too, so you can paint it onto leaves and other treasures from nature to preserve them perfectly in this precious metal. BBC recently featured silver clay on Countryfile, turning ferns and twigs into fine silver gorgeousness. I cast a leaf pendant on my third day course and now wear it almost daily on a long chain. It feels wonderful, so very tactile. See our range of Silver Clay Jewellery Workshops and come and try it for yourself! Our Tutor Melanie Blaikie How did you start teaching Silver Clay Jewellery? Melanie teaches silver clay at Ardington together with her sister Karen Blake. She says “I was always in the field of jewellery, working first as a diamond valuer at De Beers in Hatton Garden, and then moved onto design for Asprey and Tiffany. I wanted to learn silver-smithing but you needed so much kit. Then I discovered silver clay, and as there were no workshops around then, I learned as much as I could and then started to teach others. I found Play-Doh after the first few expensive experiments!” What is your favourite piece so far? “I love the piece on the front cover of my book (see top right photo below). I made it as a pendant for my Mum. The lily motive is so special I decided it had to be included in my book. I still love it and know my Mum does too.” What’s your advice to newcomers to silver clay jewellery making? Try and find a class to learn the basics. Most of the techniques are quick and easy to learn but the little tricks and tips you’ll pick up in a class will save you money further on. After that, just give it a go and don’t compare yourself to others as this can affect your confidence and the joy you’ll feel from being creative. What you make will please you and give a great sense of satisfaction. A little practice is all it takes.”
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