Introductory Class

Some very focused and busy students, working away on their masterpieces. This is from the Introduction to Art Clay Class on the 1st July.

They all made some lovely pieces, and everyone had a go at setting stones, and using the syringe.

We had a lamp worker (someone who makes glass beads, from rods of glass, melted around a steel mandrel using a torch) in the class. She had brought a bag of some of her beads, and they were gorgeous - really beautiful. She made some simple bead caps in silver during the class - I look forward to seeing them used with her beads.

We also had Rachael visiting from craft&design magazine - the new-look bi-monthly magazine, which has developed from Craftsman Magazine. I've been a faithful subscriber of Craftsman, but I must say that this new version gets top marks from me. It's a really nice magazine for all makers, artists, and collectors - anyone interested or involved in contemporary UK craft and design. And, every magazine has a seriously substantial events listing, with loads of crafts fairs listed.

Petra

Level 2 Course

So, yesterday we completed the four day Level 2 Course.

It was a really nice group of students, they all worked really hard and we had lots of fun. All of them have been running classes for a while so we all shared ideas and tips with each other. I love it when I learn new things from my students!

Apart from the L2 Projects we also made a lentil bead which we decorated with Art Clay Gold paste and Accent Gold for Silver - yummy.

Here are a few brooches straight out of the kiln. All of them have synthetic stones set into them, set in the dry clay by drilling holes, and mounting the stone, before firing.

And today I received some nice new wooden hammers, which will go up on the website tomorrow. They're really dinky and cute. (Can a hammer be cute?)

Nite nite!

Level 2 Certification

I'm teaching a Level 2 certification course this weekend.



Yesterday, the UK curriculum was changed by Aida. The Combination Ring (Ring with gold cabochon) has been removed from the projects. With the recent price increase it simply raised the price of the course too much, and some of us felt it was impossible to keep it as a project, and well, Aida agreed!



It is up to each teacher to decide what to do instead - they can just remove it and leave it to that. I'll probably introduce a Lentil Bead with Art Clay Gold Paste as a new project, and spend some time going through other interesting things we never have time for otherwise.

Time to check on the glass cabochons in the kiln, fusing away for tomorrow's teaching. Bye!