Description: Metal clay open studio is for beginner to advanced students.  Metal clay is a relatively new medium in the metals toolbox.  It consists of nanoparticles of metal (gold, silver, bronze, copper, or steel) in a moist (water) binder (cellulose product).  The moist binder allows the user to form and mold the metal.  Once worked into the completed form, the piece is then fired in a kiln to its sintering (full fuse) temperature.  After sintering, the piece is then worked the same as a cast metal piece.

In this class, beginners will be shown how to form and finish metal clay.  Proper handling techniques and the tools needed to work in metal clay in both its wet and dry stages will be shown and explained.  Once a piece is completed, it will be fired.  Students will be shown how to kiln fire their work and how to finish it once fired.  Intermediate and advanced students will work on advancing their skills.  Advanced techniques can include complex hollowforms, stone setting prefiring, mokume gane in metal clay, and mixed metal techniques.

This class will be held on the following four dates: September 12th, September 26th, October 3rd, and October 17th.

Course level: All Levels

Prerequisites: All levels are welcome, students will be taught according to their personal level and what they need/want to learn.

About the instructor: Michela Verani is an artist, working in metal clay, felt and fused glass.   She found metal clay about in 2003 and, after taking beginners' classes, began to work extensively in this medium, which has become her passion.  Since beginning in metal clay, she has achieved Art Clay Level 1/Senior Certification, Rio Rewards Certification, is a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen in metal clay and was the fourth person to pass jurying for the Metal Clay Master's Registry, Registry III.

Her metal clay, felted and beaded work have won numerous awards.  She has authored articles for Fired Arts & Crafts, Art Jewelry, Bead Trends, Metal Clay Today, Metal Clay Artist, The Art Clay Society Quarterly and Bead Design (formerly Bead Unique).  Her work has been featured in a number of PMC Guild Annuals and other books on jewelry.