Description
Precious Metal Clay For Beginners – Copper & Silver Clay
Level: Beginners
Discover the creative possibilities of precious metal clay in this relaxed, beginner-friendly jewellery workshop. Using this versatile material, you’ll design and create your own pieces in silver & copper clay while learning a range of simple yet rewarding techniques.
Precious metal clay (PMC) is composed of microscopic silver particles mixed with an organic binder, resulting in a soft, malleable material that can be shaped much like traditional clay. It allows for intricate detail and organic textures that are difficult to achieve through traditional metalworking. Once fired, the binder burns away, leaving behind solid fine silver.
During the workshop, you’ll explore a variety of ways to design and build your jewellery. You’ll begin by working with copper clay to experiment with techniques including using rolled textures and cutters to develop decorative elements. You will also have a chance to create moulds from small found objects such as shells and buttons, and use these to mould your clay. You can bring items with you that you might want to mould.
You’ll then move on to working in silver clay, applying your new skills to create your finished piece. You’ll learn how to join components using silver clay paste and build up more complex forms, before adding wires and findings to complete your designs as pendants, earrings or charms.
This course is ideal for beginners and is particularly suitable for those who may find traditional metalworking physically demanding, as precious metal clay can be shaped with relatively little hand strength.
Techniques covered
- Texturing, cutting and modelling wet silver and copper clay
- Carving and refining dry silver and copper clay
- Using silver clay paste to join components
- Mould making from natural and found objects.
- Adding silver findings and wire to create finished jewellery
What to bring:
- We’ll provide all the materials you need for your Silver Clay Workshop, including 10g of silver clay, up to 10cm of fine silver, a pair of ear wires, and a chain. Any materials over this can be purchased from CSSJ.
- A sketch/notebook plus a pen/pencil for notes could come in handy for this workshop.
- Please bring along glasses and/or a visor if you need them.
- Wear appropriate clothing for a studio environment, including closed-toe shoes. Why not order yourself a CSSJ apron to make you feel right at home in your workshop?
- Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Please bring your own lidded cup for use in the studio. Although we do not have a dedicated lunch area, you are welcome to eat at your desk. We can also recommend nearby places to eat if you prefer.
- If you are the type of person who prefers to arm yourself with some knowledge ahead of time, then we have prepared a Pinterest page filled with jewellery-making information and PMC inspiration just for you!
Your Tutor
Ailsa W. Ritchie graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2013. She has a very broad range of jewellery-making skills and more than 5 years of teaching experience. “I was initially drawn to PMC as it allows you to create textured, organic forms and is a perfect medium for adding personalisation. Jewellery making can be quite tough on your hands, but PMC is really easy to form and work with even if your strength is limited.”
Course Info
Date – Sunday 7th February 2027
10 am – 4 pm with a break for lunch (please note that train times to Dunblane vary on a Sunday).
Please note that classes may be cancelled if there are insufficient bookings. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, you will be notified the day before the scheduled class and will receive a full refund.
