Metal Clay Events
This section includes information about past metal clay events as well as what's coming up. If you're running an event, let us know so we can make sure you have an entry. The major events by the metal clay Guilds are listed in the menu on the left.
France Metal Clay Retreat
Ze French Connection - A Metal Clay Experience
When: March 12 – 19th, 2010
Come on a week long journey to Moëlan-sur-Mer, Brittany, France with Holly Gage and Angela Crispin to learn new innovative Metal Clay techniques! Try setting brilliant Titanium or odd shaped stones with Metal Clay and the relaxed process of Metal Clay carving and refined etched detail with Holly. Learn Angela's inventive seamless ring technique contrasting copper clay with silver clay or her unique ways of working with Faux Bone (tm) and silver clay - what a line up! The village of Pont-Aven is picturesque and has become a popular artist's paradise.
For more information or to make reservations, please contact: Holly or Angela or visit the website.
Interweave Bead Fest Santa Fe
When: 18th - 21st March 2010
Where: Santa Fe, NM
Registration is open, download a class catalog here.
Interweave Bead Fest Wire
When: 9th - 11th April 2010
Where: King of Prussia, PA
Registration is open, download a class catalog here.
British Silver Week
British Silver Week is in its third year. This year’s launch will take place on 27 April 2010 at the Pangolin Gallery, London, to be opened by Lord Cunliffe, Past Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Summer dining for two at British Silver Week 2010
The PMC Studio is pleased to again sponsor this years British Silver Week. Over the past three years this prestigious nationwide event has grown from being a week event to an event that runs for almost the entire year. The aim of British Silver Week is to promote the best of British silversmithing talent. Each designer is required to make a signature piece of silver tableware which is hallmarked with a unique British Silver Week hallmark which will be on sale at galleries throughout the country.
Since the launch of British Silver week various PMC artists have participated with great success. This year a group of artists including Emma Gordon, Leigh Armstrong, Carol Douglas, Mary Myers, Amy Surman and Pauline Scripps will be rising to the challenge to create a unique table setting entitled "Summer dining for two" to tie in with the British Silver Week theme of "Summer Silver".
The "Summer dining for two" installation will comprise of a wide range of PMC silver tableware that, although part of the same setting, will each be unique and represent the style of each individual artist.
Summer dining for two will be on show at the launch of British Silver Week at the modern art gallery Pangolin in Kings Cross, London on Tuesday 27 April.
It will also be on show at Bucks Open Studios in June, the PMC Studio stand C61 at International Jewellery London (IJL) at Earls Court, London on 5- 8 September and other events throughout the year.
Bead and Button Show
When: 6th - 12th June 2010
Where: Hyatt Regency, Milwaukee, WI, USA
This is the biggest bead show in the world with exhibits, shopping and classes. Registration is now open.
Hattie Sanderson Comes to the UK
When: 5th June 2010 - Lidded Vessel
When: 6th June 2010 - Spinner Ring
Where: Craftworx Studio, Beverley, Yorkshire
To reserve or book your place, contact Tracey Spurgin on 07961 883115 or email her
Hadar Jacobson Comes to the UK
When: Mixed Metal Jewellery from Metal Clay - 25th - 27th June 2010
Where: Craftworx Studio, Beverley, Yorkshire
Craftworx Studio is proud to host and welcome Hadar Jacobson for one three day workshop. This will focus on the techniques to combine copper, bronze and silver clay into single pieces of jewellery.
To reserve or book your place, contact Tracey Spurgin on 07961 883115 or email her
PMC Conference 2010
When: July 28th - August 1st 2010
Where: Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Indiana
Every two years the PMC Guild hosts an international conference that brings the metal clay community together for four days of education, inspiration, and sharing. Registration is now open. See the conference lectures here.
Pre-Conference Classes from PMC Connection can be viewed and booked here
Charms for Charity Event at the PMC Conference 2010
The popular and hugely successful Charms for Charity event from the PMC Conference 2008 will be repeated at this year’s conference in July. Once again, many, many generous metal clay artists will be creating and donating the hundreds of fabulous charms and assembling them into dozens of extraordinary, one-of-a-kind charm bracelets that will be raffled off to benefit the American Cancer Society and the Marrow Foundation. The event will be spearheaded by the original organizer, well-known American metal clay artist Holly Gage, in partnership with artist Carol Hamilton who also will reprise her original role collecting money and raffle tickets.
The Charms for Charity event was created to honor the memory of Robin Whittemore, a talented, generous and very brave metal clay artist and teacher who lost her battle with cancer in July, 2007. The event provides a wonderful way for all metal clay artists (whether or not they will be attending the conference) who wish to help raise money for cancer treatment and prevention to do so by donating charms, assembling bracelets or volunteering for one of the other needed contributions, or by purchasing raffle tickets at only $5 each or 5 for $20. The drawing will take place at PMC Conference 2010 (at Purdue University in Indiana) on Friday, July 30th, 2010 during lunch hour in the Dining Hall.
This event makes it possible for a large number of artists’ separate contributions of time, talent and money, regardless of size, to have a major collective impact. How much of a difference does it make? The first Charms for Charity event in 2008 raised a total of $12,270 for the American Cancer Society and the Marrow Foundation! This year, the metal clay community will pull together again to support the important work of these organizations in cancer treatment and prevention.
This fundraiser is not associated with any organization. Its success depends on the individual contributions of a large number of artists with big hearts! If you’d like to be among them, here’s how you can participate in this year’s event.
Create and Donate Charms
Guidelines for making charms:
- Charms can be made from any type of metal clay.
- As a rough guideline, charms should be around the size of a dime or nickel (roughly 20mm, give or take a few mm).
- Charms can be any type of design or theme.
- Please attach a strong (16 or 18 ga.) 5 mm open jump ring to each charm you send.
- Please include the following with your charm(s):
- A card or note with your name and contact information (optional – sometimes people like to acknowledge your gift)
- A picture of the charm (optional – it will help identify your charm among the others on the bracelet).
Bead Fest Philadelphia
When: 18th - 22nd August 2010
Where: King of Prussia, PA
Registration is open, view workshops here.
Holly Gage Comes to the UK
When: 1st - 3rd September 2010
Where: Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery
What: Repousse Effects in Metal Clay
Learn the secrets of transforming original photos or drawings into
highly detailed, low relief images, which look similar in style to
traditional Repoussé. Discover how to wet-work a reverse polymer mold
of your image; manipulate the clay and use tools to create different
hand-wrought textural effects; and to carve details for the finishing
touch.
The Repousse effect is only achieved by this technique and is different from photopolymer plates. The results are unique and original, beautifully echoing the hand of the artist. Book Now!
When: 4th-5th September 2010
Where: Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery
What: Negative Space Caning
Holly developed this technique and it will allow you to look at Metal Clay construction in a whole new way. We will use combustible materials layered with Metal Clay to create filigree chambers, which are perfect for inlaying polymer, resin and more. Book Now!
International Jewellery London
When: 5th - 8th September 2010
Where: Earls Court, London
Celebrating the most talented, innovative British and International jewellery designers, wholesalers and manufacturers. International Jewellery London is the only dedicated UK jewellery trade event, unveiling the latest inspiring collections, contemporary and classic.
