When? 24-26th March 2017
Where? Springfield Country Hotel Leisure Club and Spa, Grange Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AL, England
What?
YCMI is a residential metal clay conference held in a spa hotel in Dorset. There is a selection of full day masterclasses, hands on sessions, demos and talks to choose from taking place over the weekend. There are so many techniques and projects you can learn over the course of the weekend - check out the website for all the information.
There is also the chance to get to know other metal clayers, take part in a charm swap (where you make a number of metal clay charms and swap with others to build up your own unique bracelet) and the ‘Your favourite make’ competition, visit the Make it Market and more.
The event is sponsored and subsidised to make it as affordable as possible. Check out the YCMI website for all the details and to book your place. You need to choose your masterclass and hands-on sessions at the time of booking so don’t wait - you don’t want your favourite class to be fully booked before you get on! You can check class availability here.
Worldwide expert tutors
Tutors are travelling from all over the UK and the world and they include Wanaree Tanner, Anna Mazon, Joy Funnell, Tracey Spurgin, Julia Rai, Carol Douglas, Anna Campbell, Grainne Reynolds, Leigh Armstrong, Petra Cameron, Kim Paige, Shayna Bowles and a Japanese guest artist from Aida (manufacturers of Art Clay) tbc.I will be teaching a couple of classes and doing a talk.
Art Clay Paper is like foldable paper - it is silver clay but in a non-sticky, rubber-like format. It is great for making silver origami! In this session I will show you two different techniques and you will make a woven silver pendant, and a pair of pinwheel earrings. You will learn:
- How to work with paper clay
- Weaving and basic folding techniques
- How to add lump clay for strength
- How to set fireable cubic zirconia stones
- How to kiln fire and polish paper clay pieces
Experience needed: Suitable for all levels
Session runs: Saturday afternoon
Being able to create bespoke findings, like earring wires and clasps, can take your jewellery making to the next level. This is an important skill whether you craft for yourself or sell your work. I will show you how to create toggle clasps and earring hooks - then have a go yourself and leave with a pair of earring wires! To have a go yourself, please bring about 20cm of 0.8mm wire (copper or similar), round nose and flat nose pliers, and a round tool like a marker pen or thick tool handle.
In this session you'll learn:
- How to design and shape findings which match the design of your pieces
- How to make a pair of earring wires that both look the same!
- The secrets to creating a workable toggle clasp for necklaces and bracelets
Session runs: Sunday morning
Would you like to know more about the process of hallmarking your work to sell?
The legalities and process around hallmarking can be a bit bewildering. As metal clay artists and jewellery makers that want to sell our pieces, how do we know when we need to get work hallmarked? And how do we go about it? How much does it cost?
I have gone through the process and attended an assay office tour so this talk will be a practical guide to hallmarking for the metal clay artist. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and get clear about hallmarking and next steps for you.
Session runs: Sunday morning
Understanding when, and knowing how-to solder is a vital technique for jewellery makers. You can expand your jewellery making experience substantially by learning how to solder silver clay.
In this session Anna will teach you:
- What the soldering process is and how to do it successfully
- How to make suitable silver clay pieces ready for soldering
- How to sweat solder stud earrings and cufflink backs to your silver clay work
- How to clean up fire scale and polish your pieces ready to wear
Experience needed: Suitable for all levels
Session runs: Sunday afternoon
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