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Learn to make silver jewelry this summer
MONTEREY - It's an alchemist's dream come true: ordinary looking clay that transforms into pure silver. It may sound like science fiction, but in reality it's an amazing material know as Precious Metal Clay, or PMC, and it has revolutionized the art and jewelrymaking industry.
PMC is pure, finesilver (.999), pulverized and mixed with an organic binding agent and water which makes it look, act and feel like ordinary clay. The clay is hardly ordinary, however. It's userfriendly quality makes it suitable for students and jewelry lovers of all ages. It is easily shaped, molded, and formed, and, when fired with a kiln, the organic binding agent burns away and only pure silver remains. PMC is easily transformed into one-of-a-kind art jewelry creations. Students can complete a piece of art jewelry in just one day and leave the classroom wearing their creations.
Award winning artist, jewelry designer, and teacher Linda Kline will offer two jewelry making workshop on Precious Metal Clay at The Highland Center, Monterey, on Aug. 7-8 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Kline, who lives in Vero Beach, Fla., teaches jewelry design throughout the U.S. and abroad, and is one of only 19 professional PMC instructors in the country. She is the featured star of Jewelry Television's "Jewel School" instructional DVD series for PMC design, and teaches on the faculty of Florida's largest teaching museum.
The two-day workshop includes the use of tools and enough silver to complete at least three jewelry designs. On day one, students will learn the fundamentals of using metal clay to shape and form a pendant and/or earrings. Forming, shaping, gemstone setting, finishing, and firing skills will be covered.
On day two, organic objects will be the focus of the class. Students will cover an actual leaf or twig with the silver to create a finesilver replica of the original organic form.
Students will leave both classes with finished pieces of jewelry.
An additional one-day class will be offered on Saturday, Aug. 9, 9:30 a.m.-3;30 p.m., titled "Water Etching and Slip Trailing," which is an adaptation of an ancient potter's technique with an upbeat twist. Artists will learn to apply their own original art or copyright free images to the surface of PMC using the "resist" method. After "washing" away the surrounding silver, the raised image remains. Slip trailing adds depth, drama and unique surface treatment to the jewelry by building up a random application of silver, creating a moon crater or lava flowaffect. The course fee includes enough PMC silver to complete two jewelry designs. The instructor provides essential water etching supplies for use in the class. Students should bring their own PMC tools, or plan to purchase a basic set from the instructor.
For more information about these classes, contact Shirley Weissenborn at shirleywsn@aol.com. A non-refundable deposit is due aby July 10. The balance is due two weeks prior to the start of the class.
For more information about PMC, e-mail Kline at: lindakline9335@ yahoo.com, or visit her Web site at www.lindaklinedesigns. com.
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