March 14 through March 16, 2025

9:30 – 5:30 pm PST with a one hour break for lunch.

A live in person class at Patrik’s Studio

All levels of ability

This is an opportunity to learn from Holly in-person! She’ll guide us step by step through the process. There is no better way to learn than in person.

Holly Gage of Gage Designs

Day 1 and 2: Elegant Pods

Nature has a wonderful way of inspiring us. If we look closely at the pods that are left behind by a flower or plant, we can see the beautiful symmetry of nature. Pods represent a renewal as it releases its seeds to start the life cycle anew. In this workshop, we will capture the elegance of pods and fashion them into jewelry. We will explore “constructing” pods that look realistic with texture. The detail in this method cannot be captured with merely painting slip on the surface, as this would only capture the basic form and capsulate the detail on the inside where no one can see it. Vines, leaves, and other plant forms will be explored as well.

Day 3: Professional finishing

For a beautiful piece of jewelry to truly shine, the metal, the gems, and the design play front stage, while the finish plays the support role. Although no less important, a poorly executed finish can diminish the quality and perceived value of the piece. Is it rustic, or is it a poorly finished piece? There is a difference, and your viewer knows it, so don’t make the mistake of allowing the finish to be an afterthought. The finish also supports the statement the piece is trying to make. Is the piece sharp and edgy, or is it soft and romantic? A well conceive piece has a finish that helps to define the tone, and allows its magnificence to shine in the spotlight versus its flaws.

Learn about:

Prefinishing Metal Clay greenware techniques

Different rotary tools available

Polishing basics

Different rotary tool heads for different surface finishes

Getting in nooks and crannies

Studio safety

Materials needed for Holly’s Class

(1–2)  25g of Silver Clay of your choice, pods, leaves, stems, and a collection of natural textures; 2- part molding compound, 400 sandpaper, 3 M polishing papers, polishing cloth.
Basic tool kit, along with your favorite metal clays tools, textures, carving tools, combustible compound – wood clay, cork clay, or delight paper clay, Eve® Rubber polishing wheels and knife-edge for Silver, blue (medium), pink (fine) for rotary tool, 3M Radial Bristle Brushes 400 grit to fine, Torch or Kiln. 25 g size restriction with torch use.