METAL CLAY
Catching Fire: Fine Silver Pendant with Fire-in-Place Opals
By Michael Marx
Join us for a hands-on jewelry-making experience where you'll create a stunning fine silver pendant, adorned with radiant cultured opals. This class is designed for intermediate makers ready to elevate their metal clay skills by incorporating precious stones directly into their designs. You'll be guided through every step, from precisely forming and texturing the pliable silver clay to the intricate and exciting process of setting opals that bravely withstand the high temperatures of kiln firing.
In this class, students will learn:
How to properly texture and shape fine silver metal clay to achieve desired forms and finishes.
Effective techniques for seamlessly incorporating various textures and sophisticated design elements into their pendant.
The crucial methods for safely and securely setting fire-in-place cultured opals, ensuring their integrity through the firing process.
Best practices for drying, refining, and meticulously preparing their metal clay piece for optimal firing results.
Expert guidance on kiln firing protocols and essential post-firing finishing techniques, including polishing and applying patinas, to bring their creation to a brilliant shine.
Why take this class? This workshop is your chance to unlock the magic of combining metal clay with gemstones in a truly innovative way. You'll gain specialized skills in setting delicate opals directly into your pieces before firing, a technique that opens up a world of design possibilities and adds undeniable brilliance to your work. Beyond creating a beautiful, wearable pendant, you'll leave with the confidence and knowledge to integrate fascinating fire-in-place stones into your future jewelry designs, truly enhancing the value and artistry of your creations.
This class is perfect for intermediate makers seeking to expand their metal clay expertise and learn the unique skill of fire-in-place gem setting.
About Michael Marx
I have been a sculptor and artist as long as I can remember. My childhood gifts were art
supplies as often as they were toys or books. I was born in Massachusetts in 1969 and lived
there for 18 years, before moving to California in 1987. After 33 years in the Bay Area, I
relocated to South Carolina in 2020, where I currently reside. In the beginning, I sculpted in
FIMO, a polymer clay, and this honed my ability to transform my visions into 3-D images. In
2000, I took my first PMC (precious metal clay) class and was hooked. PMC?s affinity for
texture, flexibility of form, and choices of finishing techniques make it ideal for me as an artist.
The combinations of fine detail, high texture and varied forms are not easily achieved using
traditional methods of casting and fabrication. While my main focus is making wearable
sculpture, I also work in mixed-media.
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