​Today I meet Gieni Schut from Zwolle in my studio. She is curious about silver clay and the possibilities to thereby be able to make jewelry.
 
We have planned a whole day, so Gieni puts all her energy into designing a beautiful ring. She knows exactly what she wants, a not to wide base ring showing delicate flowers and leaves. And despite the fact that Ginie never worked before with this unique product, she shows skillful enough to create a beauty. Look at how lovely her piece has become!
 
Dear Gieni, thanks for your presence. I hope this workshop has helped you getting started, so you can consider quietly at home if you would like to deepen further this. I enjoyed this day, your enthusiasm and your diligent efforts.
 
Enjoy and let silver sparkling illuminate your path!

Next year 2017 the discount for Art Clay Silver Instructors changes for those who’ve joined the Benelux network. From that moment it’s recommended to be Higher certified. And to remain on level within the European network, Arnolda the Nooij decided to come take a transitional day in my studio. We do not see each other that often, usually on instructordays and masterclasses. Nice to work together today.
 
Today Arnolda creates a copper project in combination with silver. Everything is going well, a nice subtle texture is applied to both copper sides. The silver parts have a structure and detail of syringe.
 
At noon we take time for lunch and we enjoy tasty sandwiches and fresh orange juice.
 
As soon as all the components are finished neatly, we fire the copper first and then the silver.
Everything is comes without breaks from the kiln. At the end of the day, the two metals are connected to each other through a cold junction.
 
Arnolda it was fun, we’ll see each other again for the New Mokume-Gane training. When there are more registrations, I’ll let you know!

Trying to use the year 2016 for a career switch, the training certified Art Clay Silver Instructor appears to be a popular choice.
 
Today again two women completed the last trainingday.
After three intense and instructive days both Mieke Kuiper from Radio Kootwijk and Véda Lente Lans from Bussum put down their materials and tools.
For them are no less than 14 exquisite jewelry, they each have designed seven pieces.
And how excited they are!
So fun to work with, great to be able to answer so many questions.
 
Dear Mieke and Véda, I enjoyed your efforts.
With a clear goal, you are steaming into the world that’s called “Metal Clay”.
Level 2 is already on the schedule.
​April 23, 2016 I welcome you anew in my studio.
 
Until then, I'm already looking forward to it!

​On November 15, 2015 Mieke Nagtegaal stepped for the first time into my studio. Curious as she was about the possibilities of silver clay, she became infected clearly that day with Metal Clay virus. Today, exactly three months latershe comes to acquire new techniques.
 
I'm looking forward to it. It's great to have someone with such enthusiasm participating in a workshop.
 
Again she ends up choosing a ring, this time she’s going to process a bezel.
She has certainly been busy at home practicing with silver clay, it shows during the designing of her idea.
 
And what a beauty it became!
Mieke, you can be justifiably proud of yourself.
 
Thank you again for you special commitment, the lively conversations and therefore the fun day.
Until next time, I will be happy to develop more techniques.

​Today Renske Dussel, Frank Hupse and I planned a clay date. We agreed to meet in De Bilt. Frank comes to Harderwijk, his lovely girlfriend Jessica brings him to my house. So she has the car at her disposal and Frank can ride with me to the studio of Renske.
 
We arrive exactly on time, and in my case that’s to mention unique, hahaha, I usually am always early.
 
Every one of us has to complete the e.e.a. and it's nice to do this together.
Working with metal clay, sharing ideas, talking about anything and everything.
 
Renske surprises us for lunch. She has delicious sandwiches, richly filled, everything is low in calories and healthy as possible. Accompanied by orange juice and coffee or tea, we enjoy all the goodies.
 
By 16.30 we say goodbye. The coming month there will be little time for such meetings. Renske and I fly to Japan in mid-March for the certified training Art Clay Silver Quilling.
 
Renske and Frank, thanks for a nice clay date. I hope we can continue to repeat this!

​Kreatief Centrum "De Brink" in Nijkerk is housed in a new location since 2015. On the open day in August 2015 there turned out to be enough interest for the courses Art Clay Silver. The first workshop day is scheduled for today. Seven participants have registered for this. Of these 6, unfortunately 1 lady had to unsubscribe due to circumstances. When possible, she can register again for the next and still participate in that coming workshop.
 
Today the ladies designed five pendants, a ring and a nice closure (clasp).
 
Again we run out of time and for the same reasons as in previous times: personal and individual attention and thus the opportunity to develop a design to their own satisfaction.
 
Ladies thanks for the nice afternoon and the wonderful results. For those who want to work again with this unique material, we scheduled another workshop on March 5 a.s.. Perhaps until then!