Edinburgh jeweller

I am very proud to say that this week I took and passed the Rio Rewards PMC certification (PMC stands for precious metal clay). It was run in the UK for the first time ever - it had previously only ever been taught in the States. The three day course was taught by Patrik Kusek at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery . On the course we had to make seven pieces to the correct standard - a pen, two pairs of earrings, two rings, a tetrahedron and a carved pendant. It was a lot to get done in the time but I learnt a great deal from Patrik and my fellow students on the course. By passing the Rio certification I also achieved the Higher Diploma in Metal Clay from the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery. I am very happy that these two dreams have finally been realised and I feel I can really develop my skills with metal clay now.

There have been a couple of very welcome developments for silver clay artists here in the UK in the last few days. Firstly, Aida have announced that silver clay prices are to be cut between13-14% with immediate effect. This follows an increase of 30% that came into effect on 1st June 2012 (see my blog post on this here ). Art clay is not at the price it was pre-June this year but it is still pleasing to see that prices can go down as well as up! The best price I have found online in the UK today is at www.metalclay.co.uk but make sure you shop around. The other piece of very exciting news is about the Rio Rewards PMC Certificate . It has previously only been available in the US. However, Lisa Cain and Julia Rai from the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery have arranged for it to be taught in the UK in May 2013 by Rio Grande senior instructor Patrik Kusek . Many serious silver clay artists have taken the Art Clay certifications available in the UK but this well recognised PMC...