Workshops

Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Pendants

Where old meets new, drawing upon the ancient Japanese
tradition of mokume gane. How to mimic the look of
Japanese lacquer, synthesizing aspects of the ancient
mokume gane techniques to create rich time worn effects.
Very thin layers of coloured clay are embossed, then sanded
or sliced away allowing each colour to shadow over another.
The mica shift "ghosting technique" using metallic clays and
their mica shift abilities giving depth and illumination to the
designs are also a part of this lesson. This technique is similar
to mokume gane but there are no layers. Conditioning,
rollng, impressing, stacking, slicing and forming pendants
and beads will also be covered as well as baking and finishing.

Translucent Millefiori Garden Beads and
Jewel Bedecked Fine Silver Pendant

What you will learn:
Polymer Clay:
Conditioning using the pasta machine. Adding colour to
translucent clay and skinner blending. Forming a translucent
leaf cane and a flower cane with translucent edge to create a
natural looking seamless ‘floating’ effect and creating various
shaped beads using these two canes. Baking and finishing.
Silver Clay:
Designing your piece using polymer clay as a model. Rolling,
texturing (if desired) and cutting sheets of PMC into a
pendant. Rolling snakes and balls of clay and setting gems into
metal clay and adding these embellishments to your pendant.
Sanding and firing with a butane torch as well as hand
burnshing and finishing will also be taught.

For local Northern Rivers/Byron Bay classes, I am holding one-on-one private workshops at my
home studio on request. I am also available to teach groups of a minimum of 8 by invitation
Australia wide. Please email me for details.

Garden Beads, Landscape Pendants and
Ruffle Beads...oh my!

Garden Beads: You will learn to make original Melly garden
beads by creating two canes…a flower cane with a
translucent edge creating a natural looking seamless
'floating' effect on a soft leafy back ground made from
translucent clay. You'll also make different shaped beads
(oval, round, tiles, lentils) by hand rolling and using bead
rollers and acrylic tiles. Several methods of finishing will be
demonstrated.
Landscape Pendants: Gold leaf and inks and translucent clay
will be used to create vibrant coloured and interesting
landscape pendants. You'll experiment with different shapes,
designs and finishes for these pendants.
Ruffle Beads: Inspired by Christelle van Lingen's ruffle beads
and with her blessing, I am happy to teach you how to make
these delightful beads from a three part skinner blend of
translucent clays.

Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop

Perfect for the beginner or those wishing to breathe
new life into their jewellery making, come explore the
revolutionary new medium of silver metal clay used to
create fine silver jewellery without the need for
casting molten metal.
You will learn to roll, texture d cut sheets of lump clay
and build upon them with other textured sheets and
embellishments. You will also set gemstones then
refine work, drill holes, fire with a butane torch and
finish to a high shine. Patina (adding colour) to your
work will also be covered.
Earrings are an example only. You may choose your
own design…

Contemporary Clay Jewellery Workshop

You are invited to a weekend workshop of fun and creativity
using polymer and precious metal clays to make stunning pieces
of jewellery and findings.
This workshop is designed specifically at combining the two
mediums for a contemporary look. In addition, there will also
be a polymer only project (pillow beads) and a PMC only
project (toggle clasp)
What you will learn:
Polymer:
Conditioning of clay and rolling sheets using pasta machine, use
of surface effects such as metallic paints, gold leaf and foils,
encasing pieces with translucent clay for that lovely glass-like
look. Also, use of liquid clay and flakes to make sheets of faux
opal. Pendant and pillow bead construction. Baking, sanding
and finishing are also taught.
Metal Clay:
Rolling, texturing and cutting sheets of PMC and forming them
into bails, setting gems into metal clay which will be used as
embellishments for our polymer pieces. In addition to this, you
will be taught how to use moulds and textures for making
toggle clasps. Sanding and finishing are also covered as well as
firing with a butane torch.
.

6 day Silver Clay Workshop

Learn how to texture, mould and form PMC (Precious Metal Clay), set
gemstones, fire with butane torch, patina and burnish to a professional
finish. You will make fine silver earrings, tube bails, botanicals (using
real leaves for moulds), toggle clasps and box/house pendants. You
will also be taught design methods and be encouraged and assisted in
making your own unique designs.

Inro (wearable vessel)

Inro’s are intriguing. They hold not only money or pills
or perfumes, they hold mysteries too. Originally a
Japanese lacquer construction, we can now make these
wearable vessels from polymer clay…and it’s not as
difficult to make as you might think. You will learn how
to texture clay, add pearlex (metallic powder), use
water-slide transfers and construction methods. While
some claying experience is advantageous, even beginners
are able to manage this workshop.

2011 Schedule Polymer Clay Classes:
Bellingen Camp Creative: 10th - 14th Jan (sorry class is full)
Grafton Artfest: 13th - 16th April
Northern Territory Arts, Katherine: June tba
Contemporary Craft Retreat, Canberra: 14 - 16th Oct