Summer Workshops at FireFusion Studio

Enameling Workshop

Large Scale Steel Panel

Saturday August 5, 11:00am - 3:00pm
$150.00 per person
4 hour group class

This class centers on the technique of enameling steel panels with liquid granular spray and various painting and drawing techniques.
Granular spray is a method innovated by John Killmaster. This method includes sifting in liquid enamel through 80 mesh so that is can be applied with a sprayer, resulting in a granular appearance in application. The surface can then be scratched through to reveal the color underneath using various tools. This is called sgraffito and results in a great drawing base to then paint in details. This class is a wonderful way to begin working larger in enameling and learn easy drawing and painting techniques.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this class!

How to apply granular spray to the surface of your panel.
You will learn many sgraffito techniques to add text and imagery to your enamels. The sgraffito process allows you to “draw” on enamel by scratching unfired enamel to reveal the beautiful fired enamel below.
You will learn how to matte the surface of your piece, draw with pencil, and add color using watercolors, crayons, and lusters

What you’ll take home with you:

One 5x7 enameled steel panel piece of art
One 3x3 enameled steel panel piece of art.
One-two pendant size pieces , which can be used for bezeling later.

Metalsmith - Metal clay Projects with Lisa Horton
Learn more about Lisa Horton and Metal Clay by visiting: lisahortonjewelry.com

Vining Ring class with Lisa Horton

Saturday, June 17
2.5 hour group class - 10am - 12:30pm
$120 per person

Price - $120.00
Includes all materials and supplies

Dip your toe into the dazzling world of “metal clay”with this intermediate class where we will build a rustic silver twig ring ornamented with leaves, fire it with a kiln, then polish and add patina. You’ll leave with ready to wear fine silver ring. Those with a little metal clay experience are best positioned to benefit from this class. If however you have zero knowledge of metal clay, take heart! This project is within the scope of a beginner to metal clay.

There are myriad jewelry techniques for making rings, but the advantage of using the “metal clay” method is its suitability for sinuously sculpted detail. We will discuss how shrinkage during the firing process affects the size of the ring and how to adjust for that. We will learn how to make a strong ring band using overlapping “snakes” of clay. We will learn how to sculpt the twig with an Exacto knife and files to give it an organic look. We will also talk about kiln firing versustorch firing and the advantages of each

Never heard of silver metal clay? The name comes from the method, which is akin to hand-building ceramic clay, but the material itself contains only finely powdered silver particles in awater-holding base. “Metal clay” paradoxically produces jewelry that is solid metal.

Two Texture Pendant class with Lisa Horton

Saturday, June 17
3.5 hour group class - 1:30pm - 5:00pm
$125 per person

Includes all materials and supplies

Never heard of silver metal clay? The name comes from the method, which is akin to hand-building ceramic clay, but the material itself contains only finely powdered silver particles in a water-holding base. “Metal clay” paradoxically produces jewelry that is solid metal.

Dip your toe into the myriad metal clay techniques with this intermediate class where we will build a pendant with your choice of textures, ornamented with a silver flower with a sparkly Cubic zirconia in the center. We’ll also make a bail on the back side for hanging. We’ll fire the pieces in a kiln, then polish and add patina. You’ll leave with ready to wear necklace on an adjustable leather cord. Those with a little metal clay experience are best positioned to benefit from this class. If however you have zero knowledge of metal clay, take heart! With patience, beginners can succeed with this project.

There are myriad jewelry techniques for making silver pendants, but the advantage of using the “metal clay” method is its suitability for impressions of textures. We will discuss how shrinkage during the firing process affects the pendant and how to adjust for that. We will learn how to make textured strips and cut them to size. We will learn how to sculpt a three-dimensional flower whose center is made by wet setting a fireable cubic zirconia in a ball of clay. We will also talk about kiln firing versus torch firing and the advantages of each.

Embellished Leather Bracelet class with Lisa Horton

Sunday, June 18
3.5 hour group class - 1:00pm - 4:30pm
$120 per person

Includes all materials and supplies

Want to learn a little bit about leather and a little about metal clay? How about some riveting thrown in? In this class, we will make silver embellishments from metal clay that will be riveted onto a leather bracelet. We’ll fire the pieces in a kiln, then polish and add patina. You’ll leave with ready to wear bracelet, sized to fit you. The finished bracelet will have copper jump rings and a clasp attached. This is a great introduction to metal clay, metal-smithing and leather work.

There are many suitable jewelry techniques for making silver embellishments but the advantage of using the “metal clay” method is how well it accepts textures. We will discuss how shrinkage during the firing process affects the pieces and how to cope with that. We will learn how to punch holes in leather and how to properly close jump rings. We will learn how to trim a rivet and how to tap it into place to hold the stacked embellishments on the bracelet. We will also talk about kiln firing versus torch firing and the advantages of each. There will be a demonstration of how to make your own clasp, and if there is time, you may make one to take home. I will also demonstrate torch firing clay if there is interest.

“Metal clay” is a process, not a material, in the sense that it isn’t “clay” at all. Finely powdered silver is mixed with a material that makes it easy to sculpt, just like clay. Once fired, the binding material is burned away and solid silver remains behind.