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New to Metal Clay? Read all about it here here.
Our Team
Established in February 1997, Art Clay Scotland are Scotland's original training provider in Metal Clay. We have introduced literally hundreds of happy students to the wonders of this remarkable product. Art Clay Silver consists of pure silver particles, a binding agent and water. During firing the binder burns away and the pure silver particles solidify leaving you with pure silver!! The resulting pure silver piece can be hallmarked 999 by an Assay Office. We teach courses in a variety of Metal Clays, mostly Art Clay Silver and Art Clay Copper, and occasionally in BronzCLay. The arrival of new Copper, Bronze and Steel Clays means that Art Clay Silver is frequently referred to as Precious Metal Clay, as once fired it results in precious metal. However it is not to be confused with PMC which is a different brand of Clay. You can read more about Art Clay Silver or Metal Clay on Wikipedia here.
Our Art Clay Silver courses are taught by a team of talented and qualified Instructors. They are overseen by the talented artist Emma Baird. Qualified as a Senior Art Clay Instructor Emma Baird is one of very few Instructors in the country qualified to run Level I & II Certificates. She is the only training provider of the Art Clay Certification program in Scotland. Emma's work has been recognised internationally and she is a featured artist on the prestigious Metal Clay Guru web site. Emma has trained with some of the finest Metal Clay artists in the world, and brings those at the top of the field, like Sherri Haab, Robert Dancik and Hattie Sanderson to Scotland. This October she will host a Master Class with the incredible Gordon Uyehara. Emma is the current Chairman of the UK Art Clay Guild and continues to see her work published in the national UK Magazines such as Bead and Making Jewellery, with over 30 publications so far. She won an award for for entry "Shied of Light" in the British Bead Awards and continues to enter both national and International competitions. With more tutorials, publications & Master Classes in the pipeline you are unlikely to find a more qualified or experienced Metal Clay Instructor for miles around! Take a look at Emma's Gallery here.
Why Choose Us?
Students attending our classes become automatic members of the Art Clay Scotland Club. Your membership will entitle you to a 10% discount on Art Clay Silver 650 & Slow Dry products. You can use this discount as often as you wish - its for life! You'll also be able to bring us your finished clay for firing as your membership entitles you to our FREE firing service. In addition if you want advice at any time you can get it!! ALL of our staff our qualified in Art Clay Silver which means that any time you come into the shop or call advice is available.
We offer the widest variety of Metal Clay courses anywhere in Scotland. The majority of our courses are in Art Clay Silver but we also run occasional courses in Art Clay Copper & Bronze Clay. Choose from "The Magic of Art Clay" for the complete beginner, Ring Making, Water Etching, Keum Boo, Resin, Capturing Nature and of course the world Recognised Level 1 and Level 2 Art Clay Silver Certificates. This Spring we will be offering you more new and exciting classes including UV Resin and Art Clay & Polymer Clay, Art Clay Syringe work and Gold!! Design Examples for all the classes we run are available for you to view on the shop floor. Look out too for Emma's Project based classes taking place on Sundays designed around her own much admired jewellery.
Guest Artists
We regularly run Master Classes with Guest Artists at the top of the field. Last summer we were delighted to welcome Robert Dancik for his Faux Bone weekend, and the world renowned artist Hattie Sanderson returned in June 2010. We are also very proud to bring the amazing Gordon Uyeharaall the way to Edinburgh from Hawaii this October. Master Classes are already being planned for 2011. Watch this space!
The Important Bits
Below you will find our current session of classes. If you have no experience with Metal Clay at all then we recommend you first attend either our Magic of Art Clay Wednesday Evening Class or Our full day Comprehensive Introduction to Metal Clay Sunday Class. After that you can choose any other Class. With the exception of our beginners classes, our full day Sunday Classes are aimed at those who already have experience of working with Metal Clay. In project based classes we may not have time to cover the basics of making rings or lentil beads for example. The Level I & II Certificates assume a significant amount of experience.
Most of our courses are held in our spacious classroom in The Little Bead Shop/Art Clay Scotland at 120 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh. Occasionally classes may be held in other venues. You will be notified if this is the case for your course. Our Evening Classes are typically on a Wednesday but there can be exceptions to this so please be sure to check the date of your chosen course. All evening courses start 6pm and last for approximately 3 hours finishing up at around 9 pm. Times on Saturday & Sunday courses vary. Please check the times for any Sunday course you are interested in. Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to allow you to get settled.
The class fee for both The Magic of Art Clay and Ring Making with Art Clay is £50.00 per person. This includes a generous 10g of clay and a loan of all tools. To book call us on 0131 228 5058. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
Read what previous students have had to say about our classes. |
The Magic of Art Clay: Wednesday Evenings- 6pm - 9pm
£50.00
22nd September, 6th & 20th October
This workshop is ideal if you want to learn the basics of using Art Clay Silver without taking one of our Full Day Beginner classes. Aimed at those who have no experience working with metal clay, our Instructor will take you through all the basic techniques including: handling the clay, shaping and forming it, pre-finishing, firing times and temperature, finishing and polishing. There is no set project in this class but there are a wide variety of of design examples to inspire you. Typically students make a pendant and charms for earrings but Its totally up to you! Price Includes Tuition, 10g of Art Clay and a Loan of Tools. |
Ring Making Workshop: Wednesday Evening, 6pm - 9pm
£50.00
8th September, 29th September, 27th October
If you want to have a go at making a ring but don't know where to start then this class is for you! Ideal for those who do not want to attend a full day's Ring Making Class, you'll learn the basics about sizing, forming and joining a ring shank. Our Instructor will teach you some handy tips which will make ring making with Art Clay Silver easier than you ever thought possible. It is recommended that you have some experience with art clay silver before attending this class. You will leave this class with a finished flat band ring. Price Includes Tuition, 10g of Art Clay and a Loan of Tools. |
Hollow Forms : £60
Wednesday 13th October, 6 - 9pm.
Our Fine Silver Lentil Beads are amongst the most admired jewellery on the shop floor. For the intermediate student this class is an ideal introduction to construction in metal clay. The majority of the class time is spent working with the clay the plaster dry stage as we construct our bead. This is a great skill to add to your repertoire!! Price Includes Tuition, 20g of clay & paste. |
Weekend Classes
NEW CLASS
Starfish Charm Bracelet
Saturday 4th September
£130
We are now thrilled to offer you this brand new class, where you'll get to make a bracelet just like this. In the morning you will learn how to make a mould of shells using a special two part moulding compound. Then you will use Art Clay Silver to craft your own fine silver shells and star fish, setting sparkling stones into them if you wish. After refining your shells and firing them, they will be ready for a polish as you learn how to carry out a wrapped loop. The afternoon will be spent attaching your pearls and sparkling swarovski crystals to your Sterling Silver Chain. Finally you will add your sparkling starfish and shell charms for a truly stunning bracelet. The cost of the course includes Sterling Silver Chain, 20g Art Clay Silver, 4 CZ's, Pearls, Swarovski Crystals, silver wire and a loan of all tools. You'll also get to take away your very own mould of this pretty little starfish!! There will also be unlimited tea and coffee and biscuits available through out the day. This course is suitable for beginners, as well as those with experience.
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Comprehensive Introduction to Metal Clay
Sunday 5th September.
11:00 - 5:30 With a Break for Lunch - £130
This Comprehensive Introductory Class will give you a great foundation in working with Art Clay Silver. In the morning you will use lump form to make pendants, earrings, or charms. In the afternoon you will learn how to allow for the shrinkage of metal clay to allow you to make ring. You will, should you wish, embellish your pieces with delicate spirals and swirls by using the syringe, AND as if this wasn't enough you'll also use paste to make your own stunning fine silver leaf. This class covers the basics in the three frequently used types of Art Clay Silver - lump form, syringe and paste. It is suitable for total beginners, but may also appeal to those who have been to any of our ring making or Magic of Art Clay evening courses. Price includes 20g Art Clay Silver, 10g Paste, Use of Syringe Type and a loan of tools.
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Silver Fingerprint Jewellery
Sunday 10th October.
11:00 - 5:30 With a Break for Lunch - £120
Ever wondered how to capture fingerprints into pure silver? This course shows you how. During the day you will be taught how to capture a fingerprint into Silver Clay. We will show you how to prepare the clay, how to add gemstones, and even how to engrave a name for that extra personal touch. You will learn how to fire your charms without the need for any expensive equipment and how to finish them to a high standard! Pure Silver Fingerprint Jewellery is increasingly popular and is a great skill to learn if are looking for a clever way to supplement your income or simply have children of your own whose prints you would like to treasure forever. Suitable for all levels this course is always very very popular!! The cost of £120 includes 20g Art Clay Silver, a loan of all tools and unlimited tea, coffee and biscuits.
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NEW CLASS
Exploring Silver Clay
Sunday 24th October, Sunday 21st November
£120
This is a brand new class for Art Clay Scotland. This class will cover all the basics of working with the three frequently used types of clay - lump form, syringe and paste. You will learn how to handle the clay, condition it, shape and form it, dry it, prepare it for firing, how to fire and how to polish. Our Instructor will show you how to torch fire your pieces, as well as how to fire them in a Kiln. The most exciting part of this course is that you have the whole day and 20g of clay to truly explore the potential of this wonderful material. If you are a total beginner you can choose to make charms or pendants, if you have a little experience you can choose to spend your time designing and making a more challenging piece. You can experiment with textured pieces, non-textured pieces embellished with the syringe, add sparkle with gemstones and even learn how to use a dremel to achieve a variety of finishes. There will also be a variety of projects on hand to inspire you! Whether you are new to Silver Clay, or have a little experience you will receive expert guidance from our Award Winning Artist and Instructor - Emma Baird. The cost of the course includes 20g Art Clay Silver, CZ's, Use of a Syringe, Use of Paste, tuition and a loan of all tools. There will also be unlimited tea and coffee and biscuits available through out the day. This course is suitable for beginners, as well as those with experience.
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NEW CLASS
Ring Making Workshop
NEW CLASS
Sunday 31st October, Sunday 5th December
£120
This is another brand new day class for Art Clay Scotland, this time covering ring making. In this class our Instructor will show you how to make different kinds of rings from metal clay, and then you will go on to make one or two of your own. You will learn the basics of sizing, forming a ring shank, rolling snakes, forming strong joins, as well as all the other essential techniques of working with silver clay. With 25g of Art Clay Silver and a full day to work on your rings, this class offers a great opportunity for exploring your own design talents as well as the potential of the clay!! If you feel uninspired on the day then don't worry, there are a whole host of silver rings to inspire you ! The cost of the course includes 25g Art Clay Silver, Use of a Syringe, Use of Paste, tuition and a loan of all tools. There will also be unlimited tea and coffee and biscuits available through out the day. This course is best suited to those who have experience in silver metal clay.
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Winter Wonderland Charm Bracelet
Sunday 21st November
£130
This class makes us look forward to Winter - as that's when we teach it. This beautiful bracelet is simply stunning to wear. In the class you will learn how to make strong, but delicate looking fine silver leaves from Silver Clay. There is a secret to these leaves which you can keep after you leave the class. You will also learn how to attach all the pearls and sparkling swarovskis to your sterling silver chain bracelet using the wire wrapping technique. Our Instructor will show you a clever way of using wire that ensures that there is NO WASTE! You don't need any experience with Art Clay Silver for this course OR in wire wrapping. You'll learn it all on the day. This is always a popular course.. don't miss out on your place! The cost of the course includes 10 Art Clay Silver, 1x Sterling Silver Chain, Swarovskis, Pearls, Silver Wire, tuition and a loan of all tools. There will also be unlimited tea and coffee and biscuits available through out the day.
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Level 1 & Level 2 Certificates
Art Clay Scotland run the world recognised Art Clay Silver Certification Courses. These have been carefully planned to guide the student through the techniques for designing and producing consistently quality work. Once a student has been awarded the Art Clay Level 1 Certificate they can go on to teach their own beginners classes in Art Clay Silver. If the student goes on to achieve the prestigious Senior Certificate, they can, if they wish, teach the Certification Program them selves. Holders of the Level 1 and Senior Certificate are entitled to a significant discount on Art Clay Silver Clays purchased from us. These courses are intense and are graded. We recommend that have a significant amount of experience with Art Clay Silver before considering taking the course. Spaces are limited to ensure students feel relaxed and get plenty of one to one attention from our Instructor. If you are interested in one of these courses we strongly recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. To book call us on 0131 228 5058. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are available throughout the courses, and for lunch you are welcome to bring a cold packed lunch or you can stretch your legs and visit one of the tempting eateries in Bruntsfield.
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Level 1 - The Level 1 Instructor Certification course takes place over 3 days and is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of Art Clay. This is an intense course following a curriculum of 7 set projects, which have been chosen to cover all the basic techniques including ring making, using the syringe for delicate open filigree work and mirror finishing.
Once you have successfully completed the projects you will receive your Certificate from Art Clay World UK. This allows you to teach introductory Art Clay Silver Classes with the support of the Guild as well as enjoy a 20% discount on any Art Clay Silver from us.
Please note that to be able to complete this course successfully you must have a good deal of experience working with the clay. The more you have worked with metal clay the easier you will find it to reach the high standards required. Attending an Introductory Course is generally not sufficient. If you are in any doubt about your suitability then please feel free to contact us.
The course cost includes all the Art Clay Silver for your projects, pure silver findings, stones, a tool kit for you to keep and the Art Clay Silver basics Book. Please note: Metal Clay Experience is ESSENTIAL.
Next Date 15th, 16th & 17th October. Price £440 10:00 am - 5:30 pm with a break for Lunch |
Level 2 - The second Certification course is for you if you are looking for a very in depth knowledge of working with Metal Clay. Level 2 runs over four days and it builds on all the knowledge you gained during your Level 1. At this level advanced techniques are covered such as using gold foil, glass fusing and bezel setting of natural stones. To successfully complete your Level 2 Certification you will need to submit 3 additional pieces to the Art Clay World Uk for examination.
Once you have successfully completed this Certificate you will be entitled to a 30% on Art Clay Silver purchased from us.
The cost of course the includes all the Art Clay Silver for your projects, stones, glass, a small toolkit for you to keep and the
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Welcome to our news!
Here you will find up to date news of whats going on at here The Little Bead Shop & Art Clay Scotland. Courses, Guest Artists, Events, Publications, Open Studios, even parties - its all here! Simply hold your cursor over the scrolling text to slow it down.
New Silver Metal Clay Courses
***NEW COURSE DATES ADDED TO THE SILVER METAL CLAY COURSE PAGE - Including our popular Silver Fingerprint Jewellery course teaching you how to make your very own precious charms ****** Find out more here.
Farewell to Helen!!!
Our wonderful star Helen Chalmers has left the Little Bead Shop to immerse herself in her final year studying Jewellery Design at Art College. Helen was a huge part of our team and we are sad to see her go....Thanks for all your hard work over the years Helen!! Thankfully Helen will still come back occasionally to teach for us. Watch this space for details of Helen's classes..
New Level 1 Certification Course
This October we are, once again, running the highly regarded Art Clay Silver Level 1 Certification Course. If you are interested in teaching Art Clay Silver, or are simply looking for a thorough training in the essential techniques in this fantastic material, then this course is for you. Upon successful completion you'll receive a Certificate as well as a 20% discount on your Art Clay from us. Find out more on our Art Clay Course pagehere.
Silver Fingerprint Jewellery - Express Drop in Day
Our Express Saturday Drop in Day for Silver Fingerprint Charms is proving to be really popular!. Between the hours of 2:00 - 5:00 on Saturdays you can simply "drop in" to have your own, a child's or loved ones fingerprint immortalised in pure Silver. Come along early and we'll even have your jewellery ready for you by tea time!!!! Pure Silver Fingerprint Jewellery makes an ideal gift for anyone. Find out more here
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