Details Day by Day
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Friday, February 20

6.30pm - 8.30pm

Welcome Reception
 

Join us and receive your welcome pack and enjoy your first taste of the Mexican Fire Opal Retreat with food specially prepared by Chef Chris Gage. Chris will be taking inspiration from the locality to create meals highlighting the occasion. This will be your chance to meet your hosts and each other as well as enjoying a little light refreshment and drinks to get the show on the road.

 

Sat., & Sun., February 21 & 22
10am  - 5 pm
Romancing the Stone: Reverse Stone Setting

 

Delicate gems need special treatment and an extra special setting. Many beautiful stones can not be fired in place, so when you wish to overlap the stone with details you add an additional challenge to the design of your piece. Holly's solution is setting the gem from the back. It may sound as if you have to design the whole piece backward, but this is not the case. Not only that, it is so much easier than you could have imagined! We will discuss successful design to enhance the stone, bezel setting, finishing techniques and more. Bring to class a 15 – 25 mm flat stone or faceted stone with a flat table or front surface . Beware of stones having a deep pavilion or back as they may not sit flat on the body. Other fire in place gems are optional.

 

Mon., February 23
Starting at 10 am
Excursion to the Opal Mine

The trip to the opal mine includes a visit to the workshop where artisans cut and polish the opals.  You are able to buy the stones from the mine's shop.  Opals were greatly appreciated by the Aztecs, and were known as "The humming bird stone" due to the iridescent quality and colours, reminiscent of the birds plumage.

 

The trip to the opal mine takes 10-15 mins (part of the journey can be bumpy, but once there the views across the valley compensate for the trek. For your comfort and safety please wear flat shoes (tennis/trainers are best), jeans or comfortable trousers and a sun hat.  Also make sure to apply sun screen and to take a bottle of water.

 

Lunch will be on your own as we stop along our journey.

 

Tues., & Wed., February 24 & 25
10 am  - 5 pm
Pivotal Moments with Holly Gage

The influences of old Mexican architecture meets modern interpretation as we explore making a graceful pendant balancing beautifully in motion. Our new explorations into kinetics will also include a reversible focal design, one side will highlight a beautiful opal brought from home or purchased at the opal mine, the other side decorated as you please. A unique gem setting technique allowing students to set several gems at once will embellish the frame, while the romance of pearls add to the finishing touch.

 

 

Every Day at 1 pm – 2 pm
We will gather around the table for a gourmet lunch. Chris pays special attention to fruits and vegetables in season and will prepare all meals with creative flare.

 

All special dietary needs and food related allergies should be reported upon booking.

 

Consumable materials for each workshop such as metal clay, etc. will be purchased by the student from the supply list that will be sent one month prior to registration and full payment. Assorted gems and Clay may be purchased from the venue during the retreat.