Today I meet 2 sisters, Anneke from Utrecht and Desiree from Harderwijk. At the beginning of this year they signed up for an Art Clay Silver workshop. Now the time has finally come to create nice silver jewelry.

They are on time and are looking forward to it. We start with a cup of coffee and a "party maker", followed by a brief explanation about the unique silver clay. Both ladies know well what they want and adjust the wishes to the possibilities. They opted for rings. Desiree goes for a sleek model with the initial letters of the names of her grandchildren and a zirconia; blue as a symbol for the boys and pink for her granddaughter. Anneke wants a more playful design and goes wild with syringe and zirconias. It turns out to be a pretty handy job to put the stones neatly in sufficient syringe. Eventually there appears to be some clay left, Desiree turns it into a small drop-shaped pendant. 

​Driven they finish the jewelry, until the moment that a slight appetite indicates that it is time for lunch. Well deserved, tasty well-made sandwiches and fresh orange juice.

The designs can be fired by 15.00. Everything comes neatly from the kiln, the fit is good, time to polish. And how beautiful they have become, well done!

Anneke and Desiree, thank you for your presence.
I had a great day again, partly because of your efforts.
​Have fun with your rings and maybe until next time!

Ellen Arends lives in Zwolle, the face behind Ela Sieraad. In the past, she offered a wide variety of workshops. In recent years, this has increasingly focused on making jewelry. In this way she teaches students a.a. how to design cuioi bracelets. I think you know them, cabochons that you can slide on a leather bracelet. You personalize these cabochons by using different techniques. And metal clay can certainly be used for this.
 
Ellen has discovered metal clay through the internet and sees opportunities to expand her range of workshops. In 2 long days she follows the program to become a certified Art Clay Silver Instructor Level 1.
 
There is a small week between the two days, enough time to settle all the details. Ellen works hard and conjures up beautiful 7 jewelry from the silver clay. No extensive complex designs, after all, it’s all about technique. And who doesn't know the statement: "less is more"?!

At lunchtime we have lunch with tasty sandwiches and fresh orange juice. The second and last day we enjoy lunch outside in the sunshine, it is wonderfully warm spring weather. Everything runs smoothly and without breaks, the results are stunning. And there appears to be enough time to make a few decorations for the cuioi cabochons, nice!

Dear Ellen, I'm glad I could accompany you during your introduction to metal clay.
​I hope to see you again in time for level 2!

Today 2 new fellow instructors complete the first level within the Art Clay Silver Benelux network.
Vincenza and Miranda Cau, 2 sisters who intend to conquer the world together called metal clay.
Like many, they owe their beautiful first and last name to their parents.
Father Cau was of Italian origin and lives on as a memory after his premature death.
 
Upon arrival last Saturday, they both seem to have never been working with silver clay.
Beauty error in communication from my side so. I did not ask this question when registering for the course and I just assumed that they were already familiar with metal clay.
 
Vincenza has a great love for embroidery and has run a shop for embroidery items for a number of years. Miranda has a passion for baking and decorating beautiful cakes. And then especially decorating, modeling wonderfully with gumpaste and creating beautiful edible flowers from it. Anyway, all in all no knowledge of metal clay, so we start the training with a somewhat more extensive explanation of the material.
 
This is followed by 3 days full of questions, explanations, designs and socializing.
Whether they have a feeling for silver clay? Take a look at the photos and judge for yourself.
I think they have done their utmost and have translated all techniques well.

Dear Vincenza and Miranda, thank you for your presence and driven input.
Welcome to the Benelux instructor network and good luck with the rollout of your new business.
​We may see each other again for an additional level or supplement!