All of our online distance learning courses run as private Facebook groups.
This is the only way you will be able to access the course content.
After completing your registration you will be directed to
the private Facebook group where you can request to join.
We will accept your request as soon as possible.
This course is suitable for the intermediate / advanced level metal clay enthusiast. For the best results, it is most suited to kiln owners; however the videos will show you other options for firing if you do not own a kiln. As this is a level three / four course, we will assume you already know the metal clay basics to set up your work station and how to handle and look after your clay, as these are some of the fundamental basics.
The video tutorial is one complete project. Due to the complexity of the project, the pre-recorded tutorial has been
split into six videos that last just short of 4 hours in total.
For a fraction of the cost of joining Tracey at her studio you get full detailed instructional videos & support documents as well as live interaction with Tracey for full support & to ask her any questions you might have. We also encourage you to post pictures of your achievements & chat with other group members. This course offers amazing value for money. You can join this course at any time.
Please note that you will be added to the group manually. You cannot download this course yourself
In 2009 I taught my first hinged locket workshop at the Art Clay World Conference on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. To the best of my knowledge I didn't know of anyone else making hinged lockets at that time so I had nowhere to go to learn. So I set out on a journey to teach myself how to make a hinge. It took months of troubleshooting and failures and lots of silver clay to find a successful solution.
Ever since then I have had a fascination for making hinges in many different ways. Each hinge provides a solution to a different problem. They can become integrated into a piece to be hardly noticeable or they can become a feature of the piece. This door project does just that and exaggerates the hinge as a feature.
The ornamental hinge plates together with other options and decorative features such as key plate and latches, stylise the theme of the piece to your individual designs.
What lies behind the door is also a surprise. There are so many options to add a feature decoration such as words, mottos or even a picture.
These lockets can vary in size, shape and theme so our two example projects will give you lots of tips to help stylise your own piece. One of these projects is featured in the video tutorials and the other is a written project included as a pdf file.
Techniques Included in the Video Tutorial
- Introduction, tools & materials
- Designing the piece
- Drafting patterns
- Creating components
- Dry construction in silver clay
- Creating a functional hinge
- Adding decorative ornamental elements
- Perfect friction fit rim
- Latch fastening
- Magnetic fastening
- Polishing and finishing
You will be encouraged to post pictures of your work and
Tracey will give you ongoing feedback. You will also be able to join in the discussion with other group members. You will
be able to pick up heaps of experience from each other.
Please note that if you want to sell any jewellery that you make using silver clay, then in the UK you are legally required to add your hallmark to any item weighing 7.78gm or more. Further information is available in the Hallmarking page.
You can email me attracey@craftworx.co.uk or call me on 07961 883115