New Class! Carved Polymer Bracelet with a Hinge and a Catch
September 14-17
4 day class
All Levels: Experience with PMC is helpful
This new class combines the basics of polymer conditioning, construction, painting and carving with the design of four sterling silver textured and hinged caps for a unique challenge to students of all levels of experience.
You’ll develop an understanding of the intricacies of attaching hinges to your work with precision and imagination and of engineering them so they function properly as you construct this stunning bracelet.
In addition, you’ll learn techniques for visualizing a design in these two disparate but complimentary materials and determining sizing with metal clay shrinkage in mind.
You’ll start by etching on polymer (tear away technique) to make your own unique texturing tools for metal clay. You’ll use these textures in class and also take them home with you.
Then you’ll design a bracelet in polymer clay: Round, oval, flat, symmetrical or free-form. These will then be baked, painted and carved with a pattern. The endless color possibilities, both in polymer and in paint, will be thoroughly explored.
Various carving tools will be demonstrated and discussed and you will learn how to sharpen and care for your carvers.
In the PMC portion of the class you’ll design four textured caps with hinges at two points; one hinge will open the bracelet and the other will secure it to your wrist. These caps will be textured with the tear away designs made on the first day.
On the fourth day you’ll use traditional metalworking techniques to fashion an ingenious catch and safety for the your bracelet. You’ll also learn to rivet the sterling caps to the polymer for a permanent connection that is decorative, as well as secure.
This design can be modified for other styles and sizes which we will explore as time allows. Once you master the process, you’ll be able to apply it to many other shapes and forms.
Firing will be thoroughly demonstrated.
We’ll be using PMC OneFire Sterling. It has a longer open working time and greater strength than the fine silver clays which makes it a wonderful choice for hinges.
The class cost is $525
The Material Fee is $115
The material fee includes supplies and consumables, Argentium, sterling, brass wire, copper wire, several packages of polymer clay for tear away textures, Teflon, copies (for tear away), Celie's demo materials (PMC, polymer, precious metals), finishing materials, including sand papers for PMC, studio rent, studio prep, administrative costs, and handouts. Also included are many tools and supplies for you to use including a glass work surface, glass palettes, and a desk lamp.
I suggest you budget approximately 1-2, 25 gram packs of PMC OneFire Sterling but clay use is highly individualized; you may use more, or less. I’ll have ‘emergency’ clay for sale during the class.
Basic supplies will be available to purchase individually during the class.
A list of local lodging choices will be sent upon registration.
A supply list will be sent in the beginning August.
The class will be capped at 9 people.
TO REGISTER: E-mail me first to make sure there is a spot in the class. (If you've already emailed me, your spot is secure.) Then send a check for $640 by July 1st. After August 1st this is non-refundable, unless a replacement can be found, in which case your refund would be the tuition minus a $50 registration fee. Please e-mail me if you would like to split the tuition into two payments.