Roll of Honour at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery

Helga van Leipsig MCSJ Dip. PMC

Helga lives and works in The Netherlands.

Helga's jewellery education started at the Academy of Arts in Maastricht, The Netherlands. So before she came across Precious Metal Clay in 2005 she was already a traditional silversmith. Captivated by PMC because of its incredible moldable quality she immediately started to work and experiment with it on her own. In a urge to know everything about it, she gained the PMC Diploma at the MCSJ in 2007.

She is still astonished by this fascinating material and keeps on exploring it, creating jewellery which is sold via her website and a few galleries. She also shares her knowledge by teaching PMC workshops in the south of Holland. She is a member of the PMC guild.

Visit Helga van Leipsig's website

 

Julia Rai HDMC, Masters Registry III

Since passing the PMC Diploma, I've been working with metal clay as much as I can. I really love making hollow forms like lentil beads and I'm exploring making open hollow forms. I also like experimenting with textures. I create lots of my own textures using tear away and photopolymer plates and I'm constantly on the look out for things to use in my work.

I've been teaching the Silver Metal Clay Diploma with MCSJ and love introducing people to metal clay. It's still such a new medium and people are blown away by the possibilities when I tell them about it. I also teach Art Clay Certification and unique textures.

I run the Metal Clay Academy, an online resource for metal clay artists worldwide.

I'm currently working towards the Metal Clay Masters Registry credential which is a huge challenge. I've learned so much and continue to develop as an artist with each project I approach. In February 2010 I achieved Level III, the first person in the World to do so. I'm very proud of that!

Visit Julia Rai's website

 

 

Leila Godden MCSJ Dip. PMC

Since I first touched PMC, I have been hooked. After passing the PMC Diploma at MCSJ in July 2007, I have been working on a range of jewellery which is for sale through a small number of galleries.

I’m really enjoying experimenting with PMC in various ways, including applying it with a brush to create an effect like a cascade of water. As I also paint, this was a natural progression for me.

One of the many joys of this exciting and versatile medium is that it is easy for a complete beginner to create something of beauty, without the need for a lot of expensive equipment. With experience and understanding, the possibilities are endless.

I am also a member of the PMC Guild.

Visit Leila Godden's website

 

Sara Maria da Costa Cardina MCSJ Dip. PMC

My name is Sara Maria da Costa Cardina and I live in Caldas da Rainha in Portugal. I found out about PMC and through Angela Baduel-Crispin I found out about the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery, a very well accredited school in Cornwall. I got in touch with the school and completed my certificates in PMC in January 2008.

If you want to have training in PMC I strongly recommend the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery. I also want to say that I stayed at Emms Cottage in Par, where Pam and Victor Dormand treated me like a daughter. My colleagues that joined me in the same course were very nice people. To everyone that helped me a big thank you.

Visit Sara Cardina's website

Corrina Smith MCSJ Dip. PMC

I started making jewellery about three years ago when I attended a metalsmithing course at my local university. I soon became addicted and I desperately wanted to continue exploring and playing with metal. I soon realised that although I could create many wonderful things from my workshop at home, I needed to find a creative outlet that was not so messy or potentially dangerous. Then I discovered PMC and the MCSJ. I booked myself on a course knowing that I would not be disappointed! I had heard some great reviews!

Since passing my diploma I’ve been exploring methods of piercing and texturing using my own designs taken from personal photos. I love Keum Boo and making hollow forms but piercing is my favourite medium at the moment.

Visit Corrina Smith's website

Sue Cotton MCSJ Dip. PMC

My first real introduction to jewellery making was at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery. I had seen a PMC demo elsewhere and it intrigued me to see the almost magical process of turning clay into a beautiful piece of silver. Not being trained in any form of traditional silversmithing methods, it seemed that this media opened enormous possibilities to me. I searched the internet and came across the website for MCSJ, booked the intensive diploma course and spent a fantastic nine days in Cornwall. Julia and Lisa, my tutors for the week, were very helpful and brilliant teachers.

At the moment my artistic outlet lies in drawing and painting – primarily equine and animal and predominantly pencil work. I am striving to translate this into PMC as an extension of my creativity and to stretch myself artistically.

I'm continuing to explore and experiment with PMC and perhaps add colour to my work in the form of enamelling.

Visit Sue Cotton's website

 

Janet Richardson MCSJ Dip. PMC

Janet Richardson has been making and teaching jewellery for over 30 years. She had her own business making and teaching jewellery in London and this has now moved out to Berkshire.

Always looking to increase her knowledge and stay up to date she completed the Diploma in PMC at MCSJ early in 2008.

The Diploma at MCSJ has given her an extra string to her bow and along with the other classes she offers, she now includes classes in PMC.

Alongside teaching Janet has been making her own designs and selling in the UK and abroad.  Some of her ranges are sculptural and working with PMC is a valuable addition to her already extensive metalworking skills.

'PMC is one of the few new recent developments in metalworking techniques and should be taken seriously.  Many things can be achieved with this wonderful material.   It is not a replacement, but an addition to your jewellery making skills.'

Visit Janet Richardson's website  

 

Linda Paris MCSJ Dip. PMC

After working as a sculptor and ceramicist for some
time, I trained in Jewellery and Silversmithing at
Truro College. I first learned to use PMC at MCSJ and
qualified as an instructor in February 2007. After
nearly four years I am still exploring the
possibilities of PMC and I enjoy passing on what I
have learned and peoples reaction when grey stuff
turns into fine silver and then lovely jewellery.

Visit Linda Paris's website

 

Jeanette Tenwick MCSJ Dip. PMC

Jeanette's love of jewellery making was instilled in her, like most people, as a young child when she was given a broken necklace by her Grandmother so she could play with loose beads. That was the point when her interest in the subject truly began. After gaining skills through practice, she began to sell her handmade pieces of jewellery to class mates at school and then at college.

Now, with an Art and Design GNVQ, three years crystal healing and repeated trips to the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery her love for jewellery making has grown bigger than ever.

Jeanette's work is a mixture of bead work, chainmail, silver smithing, glass work and work with PMC.

Visit Jeanette Tenwick's website

 

Helen Stone MCSJ Dip. PMC

I first started experimenting with PMC in 2006 and soon found that I enjoyed it so much that I booked a place at MCSJ School to enrich my knowledge.  I was fascinated and couldn’t wait to get started, creating all those designs that kept me awake in the small hours.  After about 12 months I then realised that to take my enjoyment further and be able to pass this information to others I needed a qualification that allowed me to become a teacher.

After completing the diploma in PMC  in 2007 it changed the way I worked.  I felt that now was the time to become a teacher in something that I enjoyed enormously and wished to pass on to others who liked working with their hands.  I have had many hours of fun and enjoyment both working on my own projects and also helping others to complete theirs. 

The picture shows some of the work completed by my students since taking my diploma.  I hope you enjoy PMC as much as I do and if you want to contact me you can phone me on 01736 874455 or visit my website www.harbourcrystals.com.

 

Jessie van Zanten MCSJ Dip. PMC

Jessica van Zanten is a south London based jeweller who specalises in working with Precious Metal Clay. She first came across this magical material when working in a silversmiths class and has been addicted to it ever since.

After successfully completing a Diploma in PMC at the Mid-Cornwall School of Jewellery, Jessica now sells her work at local outlets, craft fairs and to private clients and has also begun teaching classes locally to help spread the word of Precious Metal Clay.

Visit Jessie van Zanten's website

 

Samantha Berman MCSJ Dip. PMC

I first started working with PMC in early 2007 and have been totally mesmerised ever since.  It is an amazing product and I hold the belief that you learn new things all the time.  With a total need to learn much much more, I took the decision to enrol at the MCSJ and have recently gained my Diploma in PMC Proficiency.

This has been a huge personal achievement for me and I am now itching to get started with the teaching side of my business.
Myself and my partner (who is a silversmith) have an e-commerce website and we regularly exhibit at various craft fairs.  We are now in the process of going into the second phase of our business, namely running PMC workshops.  Our workshop website is now up and running alongside our buy online jewellery website.

I am now avidly planning my PMC workshops in the Hertfordshire area and can be contacted through my website for further information. I am also a member of the PMC Guild.

Visit Samantha Berman's website

Alison McIlkenny MCSJ Dip.PMC

I got my first bead kit about two years ago, I soon became a self-confessed bead addict. I became interested in making my own lampwork beads, unfortunately there were no classes available in Northern Ireland.
 
I decided to enroll on a basic silversmithing class at my local college. I became hooked at the prospect of designing and creating my own silver jewellery. During my class I heard the words 'Metal Clay' spoken, I decided to dig deeper and find out more.
 
I was amazed when I learnt about the quickness and ease of use when working with PMC. I enrolled on the 10 day intensive course in August 2008, I had a fantastic time learning all about this new fangled material.  I will never forget all the colourful characters I met during my course! I have sold PMC jewellery through local art and design fairs and by word of mouth. I have completed a small business course and plan to have a website up and running in the near future, promoting workshops and selling jewellery on-line.

 

Some examples of Di's work

 

Di Osman MCSJ Dip. PMC

I have been making and selling jewellery on and off for several years, I found MCSJ and came for a silversmithing weekend to give findings on my jewellery a more professional and personal look. While I was there, like alot of others, I found out about PMC and thought it sounded fantastic, even for beginners!  I enrolled on the courses last year and I have just completed this diploma, which I really enjoyed. I am amazed of the things you can achieve with it. I love looking for textures to use and I am always on the hunt for them! I hope to learn about bronz clay next.  I am now offering beginners PMC workshops at my home in Wembworthy. I have nearly finished my website so please look out for it soon.

Visit Di Osman's website

 

Louise Brownhill MCSJ Dip. PMC

Louise Brownhill has attended many classes at the MCSJ including stone setting, silverwork week and has completed the diploma in PMC. Louise designs and creates beautiful pieces of jewellery from her home workshop in Totnes, Devon. Louise has trained in crystal healing and shamanic studies, these are some inspirations for her creations including nature and the natural world. She is well known for creating her pieces with knowledge of the metaphysical qualities of the stones and materials she uses. Louise now runs courses and workshops in PMC Precious Metal Clay at the Sparc centre in Dartington, near Totnes, South Devon.

Visit Louise Brownhill's website

Some examples of Sarah Jane's work

Sarah Jane Whittaker MCSJ Dip. PMC

An experienced teacher, Sarah Jane trained in both traditional silversmithing skills and in jewellery design in the 1990’s, before discovering the creative freedoms offered by precious metal clay, training intensively in this medium, and being awarded the Diploma in PMC Proficiency at the Mid-Cornwall School of Jewellery.

Discouraged from artistic endeavours by miserable art classes at school , Sarah Jane believes that we are all creative beings.  She is passionate about helping others find and express their own creative voice through the production of professional-quality artefacts, and this informs her teaching style, which is friendly, fun and empowering. 

Sarah Jane’s work is inspired by the sea, sky and chalk Downlands of the East Sussex coast where she lives, and by concepts of cycles (and circles) of life, healing and freedom from restriction.  She works and teaches from her mews-based studio at the Sussex Jewellery School in Eastbourne, and sells work via her website and artists’ open house exhibitions.

Sarah Jane is a member of the PMC Guild and the Association of Contemporary Jewellers.

Visit Sarah Jane Whittaker’s website or here

Pat Sharma MCSJ Dip. PMC

I am Pat Sharma, founder of Croydon Jewellery School and PMC tutor. I completed my Diploma in PMC on 30th August 2009 from the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery.

After completing my City Guilds level 2 in design, craft and Silversmithing, I found that there were a lack of local silver jewellery making classes. This inspired me to seek expertise in Precious Metal Clay.

Studying PMC to Diploma level meant long travels to Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery in order to learn PMC techniques and how to make jewellery from this amazing product to very high standards.

I wanted to make it possible for local people in Croydon and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn to use PMC and to enjoy making unique silver jewellery.

SEPT 2010
PMC taster classes 
Childrens 'WOW' PMC jewellery party
PMC Hen Party

Visit Pat Sharma's website here.

 

Some examples of Pat's work

Joanna Mason MCSJ Dip. PMC

Joanna Mason is a jewellery artist and designer working out of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. She has been making and designing jewellery professionally for around 5 years.

Joanna works with a mixed media of different materials ranging from silver and gold to plastics, resins and found objects. Joanna runs an arts and craft company; The Albion Arts.  

The Albion Arts runs a comprehensive programme of workshops for adults, from beginners to the more experienced artist. Joanna aims to awaken the inbuilt creativity which we all possess, endeavouring to improve mental, physical and emotional wellbeing through the creative process.

The Albion Arts strives to revive and keep alive art and craft skills by encouraging artists and crafts people to pass on these skills.

The Albion Arts is driven through the organisation of workshops, and through the collaboration of designers, artists and makers within the community.

Visit Joanna Mason's website

An example of Pat's work

Sally Pepper MCSJ Dip. PMC

Jan Prince MCSJ Dip. PMC

Jackie Langley MCSJ Dip. PMC

Kay Willisson MCSJ Dip. PMC

Kerry Morse MCSJ Dip. PMC

Angela Porritt MCSJ Dip. PMC

Jackie Carr MCSJ Dip. PMC

Karen Craig MCSJ Dip. PMC

Ann Philps MCSJ Dip. PMC

Kay Steward MCSJ Dip. PMC

Amanda Baptiste MCSJ Dip. PMC

Dez Davis MCSJ Dip. PMC

Amber Ravenscroft MCSJ Dip. PMC

Karen Richards MCSJ Dip. PMC

Monica Weber-Butler MCSJ Dip. PMC

Wendy Whetstone MCSJ Dip. PMC

Rosie Nicholson MCSJ Dip. PMC

Deb Jarvis MCSJ Dip. PMC

Sharon Sullivan MCSJ Dip. PMC

Ciel Ruffle-Brandt MCSJ Dip. PMC

Sharon Burton MCSJ Dip. PMC

Denya Dessena MCSJ Dip. MC

Jo Dix MCSJ Dip. MC

Mandy Carr MCSJ Dip. MC

Susan Diana Wilson MCSJ Dip. MC

Hilary Stacey MCSJ Dip. MC