Metals and Jewelry Classes at Guilford Art Center, Guilford CT

Stonesetting with Silver Metal Clay

Take your silver Metal Clay designs to the next level! Add color and brilliance to your pieces by learning to set natural and lab-grown stones in silver metal clay.

Learn which stones can be fired in the kiln, and how to flush-set stones to fire in metal clay. Learn the special considerations for bezel setting stones and pre-formed settings. Use of the slip-syringe for setting will be covered. Channel setting and prong setting will be included as time permits. Students should be able to complete and take home at least 2 pieces of their unique silver and colored stone jewelry.

Materials fee* of approx. $130. is payable at class. Materials fee includes sufficient metal clay lump and syringe, supplies and handouts to complete class projects. Inexpensive faceted and cabochon stones, pre-formed settings and additional metal clay will be available for purchase at the workshop.

Prerequisite: at least one other metal clay class or workshop.

Basic metal clay tool kit, including portable work-surface, are required and will not be provided.

A small tool kit may be rented in class for $3.00.

*materials fee is subject to change with the metals market.

Silver Metal Clay: Finishing and Firing

This new workshop focuses on pre-fired (greenware) finishing work, kiln firing of greenware pieces, and final finishing processes for your silver metal clay pieces.

Bring in your dried silver clay pieces you have made at home or fired pieces you made in previous workshops which require a 2 hour firing.

Any pieces that need repair and re-firing can be facilitated in this workshop. For repair purposes, please bring in the original clay used for that piece.

For those with pieces ready to be fired, there will be a firing at 10:15 am and another at 1:15pm. Both firings will be at full ramp, 2 hour hold at 1600 F degrees. Any stones included in the firing process must be able to withstand this time and temperature.

Instructor will monitor all processes and give advice/instruction where needed.

Silver Metal Clay II Workshop

In this one day workshop students will take designing pendants to the next level and learn techniques for forming and firing silver metal clay over support material for a more 3 dimensional look. Techniques demonstrated will include doming, stacking and draping. Additional techniques for forming and attaching pendant bales will also be demonstrated and used in the making of a three dimensional pendant. Focus will also be on perfecting dry finishing the metal clay pendants before firing. Flush stone setting may be used and is optional. Depending on size and design, students will be able to finish and take home one or two unique silver pendants.

Prerequisite: at least one other metal clay class.

A materials fee* of approx. $110. includes sufficient metal clay, tools, supplies and handouts to complete class project, and is payable to the instructor at class.

* Materials fee is subject to change with the metals market.

Metals & Jewelry

Learn through demonstration, discussion, and hands on, how to create art works out of fine metals. From jewelry to small sculpture, students will be introduced to metalworking tools and techniques to manipulate copper, brass and silver. Students will learn sawing, filing, cold connections, soldering, surface textures, forming, fabricating, stone setting, and finishing. Other metalworking techniques will be introduced according to class interest. Guidance will be given to encourage creativity and develop design skills. Please be sure to attend the first class and bring a notebook and writing utensil.

Lamp Worked Glass Beads Workshop

Students will learn to use a torch to melt glass rods, creating personalized colorful glass beads. Many glass decorating techniques will be demonstrated, including enamels, metal foils, flowers and more.

Guided Independent Studies In Metals

This class is structured for students with metalworking experience to focus on their own interests. Students will select and design their own projects and receive guidance to execute them. Focus will be on enriching design skills and addressing artistic intent.

Discover Silver Metal Clay Workshop

Silver Metal Clay looks and feels like clay, but is actually pure silver in an organic binder. Students will learn all the basic information and techniques for forming, surface texturing, firing, and finishing silver metal clay. Flush setting of lab grown gemstones will also be covered, and (optional) inexpensive stones can be purchased in class.
Great for beginners, jewelry students, clay artists, bead makers, and others! No previous jewelry making experience is required.
You will have the opportunity to finish and take home your unique pieces of fine silver jewelry. Come and discover the many design possibilities of this exciting material! Materials fee of $105.00 is payable to instructor at class and includes metal clay, use of tools, supplies and handouts.
Materials fee of $105.00 is payable to instructor at class and includes metal clay, use of tools, supplies and handouts.

All About Metals

Learn through demonstration, discussion, and hands on, how to create works of art made of fine metals. From jewelry to small sculpture, students will be introduced to metalworking tools and techniques to manipulate copper, brass and silver. Students will learn sawing, filing, cold connections, soldering, surface textures, forming, fabricating, stone setting, and finishing. Other techniques will be introduced according to class interest. Guidance will be given to encourage creativity and develop design skills. Please be sure to attend the first class and bring a note book and writing utensil.

Fun With Metal: Session B 7/21-25

Come work in the metalsmithing studio and stamp, hammer, fold, bend, cut, twist, shape, and heat metal to make jewelry and mini sculpture. Students will play with copper and brass sheet metal and wire to create 2 and 3 dimensional objects and forms from nature to wear or hang. Explore using basic hand tools, such as, hammers, mallets, saws, cutters, files, pliers, and torches (one-on-one with instructor) to have fun with metal!