Mexican Fire Opal
Metal Clay Retreat​
For the Love of Gemstones
February 20 - 25, 2015
WORKSHOPS
Come along on (2) 2-day Metal Clay workshops in Mexico with Holly Gage. These are Master level classes for students with all levels of ability. This trip is all about the "Love of Gems" We will set them in several creative ways to highlight their beauty giving you new skills to add drama in your work. Inspiration will be all around us with the beauty of Mexican culture. And a trip to this region wouldn't be complete without stopping by the Opal Mine in between the workshops. At the mine, we will collect opals for pleasure and our second workshop, where the flash and fire of the opal will be the central focus in a pivotal pendant. There are so many skills and techniques to be explored, and so much inspiration and fun, I hope to see you there!
Sat. & Sun., February 21 & 22
Romancing the Stone: Reverse Stone Setting with Holly Gage
2-day Class
All levels of ability
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. My 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.
Materials List: PMC 3 or Low fire Art Clay, Art Clay Oil Paste® (brand specific), Fine silver bezel wire the height of the stone, 400 sandpaper, 3 M polishing papers, polishing cloth. All basic tools needed for class will be available. (Bring your favorite metal clays tools, textures. polishing rotary wheels, ott light and pliers sets are optional.)
Tues. & Wed., February, 24 & 25
Pivotal Moments Opal Pendant with Holly Gage
2-day Class
All levels of ability
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 explore a reversible focal design highlighting a beautiful opal on one side, and 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.
Materials Needed: Art Clay Silver or PMC3 25 - 50 g depending how big you work, 10 - 20 mm Opal cabochon 2 – 5mm gems (dark colors), 2 half drilled pearls 3 – 5 mm, 18 ga hard sterling wire, 16 ga junk wire, Sculpty® Original polymer clay, Carving tools or dockyard tools, Dental tools, Ball stylus, 18 ga drill bit, Elmers gel glue, Steel bench block, Rubber or nylon mallet, 5 min. 2 part non-yellowing epoxy, Tracing paper.
​Holly Gage
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creates contemporary jewelry and teaches her unique techniques both with a gentle blend of art and soul. Holly brings her innovation; creativity and gift of helping others find their artistic voice through traveling classes and master workshops available in the US and abroad. She is a full-time Contemporary Jewelry Artist, Certified Metal Clay Instructor, Author and Jewelry and Metal Clay Conference Speaker. In addition, Holly holds a BS in Fine Art and Education. Her jewelry and articles on techniques and design can be found in over 65 regional and national publications including the Best of America Jewelry Artists, PMC Guild Annual Volumes 1 – 5, Metal Clay Artist, Metal Clay Today, Art Jewelry and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, Making Jewellery, among others. You can find more information about Holly’s jewelry, classes, awards, shows, and numerous free tutorials on her web site at http://www.HollyGage.com
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
A consolidated supplies and materials list will be provided to registered participants.
Opals may be bought from the instructor, at the Opal mine, or the student may bring one along.
Pivotal Opal Pendant by Holly Gage
Pivotal Opal Pendant by Holly Gage
Pivotal Opal Pendant by Holly Gage
Pivotal Opal Pendant by Holly Gage