description

If you are interested in dipping your toe in without a large expense, this is a great beginner's class.  We will be exploring and becoming familiar with precious metal clay.  Using the most available tools, students will get a feel for this medium through 3 easy to manage projects.  Carving our own molds from polymer clay, we will then use them to make a personal pendant that can be worn on a necklace or bracelet.  Then, using your favorite rubber stamps, you will gain an understanding of how to combine patterns for a pleasing composition.  We will also be making small complimentary charms with the remainder of our PMC and learning finishing techniques that will be useful for anyone who wants to continue on with metal clay.   I will introduce two of the least expensive alternative firing methods available today.  When our pieces have been fired, I'll explain surface treatment and patinas, and I'll have stringing options available so you can wear your piece right away.

PMC Pendant Project

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bio

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kit fee: $32   supply list

• kit fee $32 for precious metal clay (28 grams that I can purchase at bulk cost)
  
  
•   -hand salve - balm kind that is greasy as opposed to lotion
•   -2 or 3 of your favorite rubber stamps - background patterns or a small detail that you love.  Choose stamps that look good together.
•   -3 small paintbrushes, 2 should be 1/4 of an inch wide and can be flat or round, the other small and pointy and no more than 1 mm of bristle.  Don't buy expensive ones, but they should be soft, not wiry
•   -a very small pair of sharp craft scissors,  or cuticle scissors (if you already have them)
•   -the smallest size v-shaped Speedball carving tool (if you already have one) called a #1 V fine line cutter
•   -a sharp pointed tool, like a tungsten scribe (my favorite) or an awl (only if you already have one)
  
  
• If you've worked with PMC before, and you have a tool kit, bring it, but don't go out and buy one.
  
  
• I will give each student some other tools in class that I use every day, and I will bring some of my rubber stamps too.  Don't worry if there are things on this list you don't have, there will be plenty to share.
  
  
• If you have any questions, you can email me at   cathwitherell@comcast.net

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Catherine Witherell is a Certified PMC Artisan and lives in Orinda, California.   She loves making charms, collaged silver pendants and does a lot of experimenting with pushing the limits of small silver hollow forms.  Working in layers, her birdhouse and bird pendants are a combination of patterns and pieces assembled in a way to allow for visual and tactile movement.  She has been a quiet artist for the past five years developing her playful style.  Her work has appeared in Belle Armoire Jewelry 2 and 3 (coming out in September), and will also be included in a mixed media book called "A Charming Exchange: Connect— Create—Collaborate" published by North Light books out in the summer of 2008.  You can visit her blog at www.happydayart.typepad.com