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Copyright ©Jane de Lacey Munday 2008

First introductory workshop held - and a great success.

On Saturday 26 July 2008 I taught my first introduction to PMC workshop.  5 Students attended and, after a slightly later than planned start due to late arrivals, the workshop commenced with an introduction about Precious Metal Clay.  All students introduced themselves and while a couple had some jewellery-making knowledge, only one had a little PMC experience and so it is safe to say that the majority were complete beginners with regards to PMC.

Each of the processes involved in making a pendant were first demonstrated by me and then followed with the students making their pendant according to the stage demonstrated.  That said, each of the finished pieces were very different, as you will see below from the pictures.

As I remember from my early days with PMC, learning about its properties/qualities and at the same time working with it to produce something was both exciting and a little nerve racking.  This was particularly heightened for all (including me!) due to me obviously having to clock-watch to ensure that we were on track to finish each stage (and the day) on time!

Not to be put off though, students persevered and accepted the help on offer to achieve their desired goal, particularly when time was running out for a particular stage. 

I was very proud of my first set of students as they all worked really hard to meet each deadline, and ultimately the final deadline of getting the piece ready on time for firing in the kiln .

Pendants created by students (clockwise from top left) Jan, Jenny, Stephanie, Rachael and Anna.

It was lovely to see the joy and amazement on the faces of my students as they too experienced this alchemistic moment of transformation.

All were delighted with there finished pieces and I have to say I was also really pleased and proud that my students had done so well.

If you would like to attend an introductory workshop and make a similarly styled but uniquely individual pendant, I will be holding another on Saturday 27 September 2008.  Book now to secure your place - see PMC workshops link for more details.

Having fired the jewellery it was time to brush, burnish and polish the pieces, and this part of my silver jewellery making is always a joy to me as the clay piece has transformed to a solid piece of silver.