Course Description

Explore the potential of using reactive glass powders, frits, silver leaf inclusions and the new alchemy glass to create a range of beautiful jewellery. Enjoy and experiment as heat from the kiln brings chemical reactions and surface pattern to life.

An exciting course exploring the reactive potential of Bullseye glass.

This course will give beginners and those with some glass fusing experience the opportunity to learn new techniques in jewellery making and understand the process of using reactive glass powders and frits together to great effect. Claire has developed a variety of recipes for wonderful chemical reactions and will share these with the group. You will also have the chance to explore your own reactive combinations by making small glass tiles to be cut up at a later stage into sets of earrings and pendants.

You will learn the correct way to work with powders and frits, how to add and fire silver leaf successfully, and how to work with the new Bullseye Alchemy glass to produce wonderful organic effects. Each of the projects will be demonstrated clearly, with an opportunity to ask questions, take photographs and record the process if you wish.

In addition you will learn how to successfully cut small circles, drill holes and cold work with grinders, and diamond hand pads and how to use a fire polishing schedule in the kiln to finish your jewellery pieces to a high standard.

Claire will share the different ways to apply findings, including her own technique of adding sterling silver grommets to pendants and how to create unique earwires from sterling silver head pins. You will also learn how to apply the correct adhesive to your bails and how to glue them successfully.

A comprehensive written handout will be followed throughout the course with space to add your own notes. You will leave this course with a good understanding of reactive glass, cold working techniques, professional jewellery finishes, firing schedules and at least three to four sets of fused glass jewellery.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

• The course fee includes the cost of providing: all glass and materials. Some silver plated jewellery findings are supplied, other sterling silver findings will be available to purchase from your tutor.

What students need to bring

• Please wear old clothes and bring an apron if you have one and any glass tools you like to use.
• Enclosed toe footwear (essential)

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• General art materials: paper, pencils, pens, scissors, paint brush, ruler etc.
• PVA glue.
• Available from tutor:
• Sterling silver findings to purchase if wanted.

Please note –Finished work will be fired overnight and the final pieces will be held until they can be collected by you. Pieces from the last firing can be posted (if they are not too heavy) or can be collected later the following afternoon. Your work will be kept for collection for six months. If you wish to have your work posted please pay the postage cost before you leave.