Workshops

FERETIA ATELIER

DARWIN HOUSE

Visit us in the lovely and historic Georgian home

and grounds of the birthplace of Charles Darwin.

Come on in!

Silver and bronze clay workshops
Explore your inherent creativity

BEAUTIFUL

Overlooking the River Severn that wraps around Shrewsbury, the studio extends a welcoming, inspirational and calm environment in which to explore the creative you.

ENJOYABLE

Enjoy a new experience discovering the unique properties of precious and metal clays amongst friends.

Feretia hopes to embrace and encourage a community that loves to explore, to create and to share its interests. Come and handcraft something special from an evolving selection of seasonal workshops to choose from - or to gift to someone you love well!

ACCESSIBLE

Feretia offers workshops supported by an accredited guide in silver and bronze metal clay - from an introductory morning to -a full weekend of exploration! Incorporating short breaks to share ideas over a choice from a provided selection of refreshments.

HOSPITABLE

Feretia is flexible and loves to facilitate. Workshops may be bookings of fun for friends, to mark an important moment, for significant events, or be surprise gifts. Arranged to suit your special experience, be it during a weekend, evening, or day and can include hospitality options. Get in touch if you have something in mind and lets chat!

SUSTAINABLE

ALL clay used in the workshops is a recycled resource and ready for you to bring to new life.

Botanical Jewellery.

Day Workshop in precious metal clay.

10am - 5pm. £145

Create directly from nature, enjoy forever.

Perfect for absolute beginners to explore something new, with no previous experience working in silver clay necessary!

In this full day's workshop you will be supported by an accredited guide throughout. Learn about this unique medium and it's versatility, how to handle precious metal clay in both lump and paste form and the techniques involved in capturing organic forms - leaves, flowers, seeds, twigs and bark - in pure silver.

Charles Darwin a Botanist at heart....

You will have the opportunity to make between four to five small pieces of jewellery you have crafted from the organic choices you chose and collected in the grounds of this great man's childhood home, taking your beautiful botanical pieces home with you at the end of the day!

The skills you will learn during the day will include:

Preparing and keeping the silver clay materials fresh.

The differences and uses.

Shaping, rolling and achieving consistency.

Choosing textures and how to apply them.

Sculpting and cutting the clay.

Work with a moulding compound for simple casting.

Drying the clay and preparing it for firing.

The different methods of firing: torch and kiln.

Polishing and finishing.

All that will be left for you to decide is how you wish to use your creations! When you have fired and polished your pieces , you will use a few simple finishing techniques, and make them into a set of charms to add to a chain or bracelet; a pair of earrings, pendant or combination.

A faithful and permanent impression of nature, part of history to add to yours....Box to gift your pure silver creations for someone special, or wear it home!

Refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own lunch.

Feretia provides resources and tools to use on the day, includes 10g Silver clay paste, 7g of Silver paste, a Sterling silver chain, Sterling Ear hooks and Sterling silver jump rings.

Please get in touch if you would prefer an alternative day or date and we will do our best to accommodate you. Workshops may be booked with a minimum of two.

Botanical Jewellery

Book

Textured spirit.

10am - 1pm.

Silver Clay. Precious metal. Access Workshop 3 hr

£65

Take delight in creating something amazing!

In this workshop you will be guided in learning to handle roll, cut, texture and shape pure silver, lump clay.

Supported by an accredited guide, you will make a lovely piece/s of jewellery delighting in the magic of this process with a special emphasis on exploring textures and how to find your perfect one .... Once you fire your pieces, with a few easy techniques you will finish into a pendant, earring set or charm bracelet in fine silver of your choice.

Fine silver has a purity 99.9% and may be hallmarked as such.

Feretia workshops provide studio resources for use on the day, and include 7g Silver clay, a Sterling Silver chain, or ear hooks and Sterling silver jump rings.

Additional accessories available to purchase.

Refreshments provided.

Please get in touch if you would prefer an alternative day or date and we will do our best to accommodate you. Workshops may be booked with a minimum of two.

Free your design spirit

Book

Charmed

Silver Clay access workshop. 3 hr

£65

Suitable for absolute beginners

Saturday 20th and 27th April 2024

Places limited to six individuals each date.

Make pure silver designs to create a charm bracelet, and gift - beautifully wrapped, to give as an experience or to indulge in together with friends - join us in Feretia's beautiful studio in Darwin House on the Mount!

In your 3 hour workshop you will be guided in learning to handle, roll, cut, texture and shape silver lump clay and make a number of silver charms.

Supported by an accredited guide, you will explore the magic of this process and will make lovely charms from your own imagination, or interpretation from provided project inspiration.

Once you have fired your work and polished your charms you will attach them onto a silver plated stretchable multilink bracelet to take away home with you!

Fine silver has a purity 99.9% and may be hallmarked as such.

Feel good. The precious clay Feretia uses is a recycled resource waiting for you to bring to new and sustainable life again.

Feretia workshops provide studio resources for use on the day, and include 7g Silver clay and the stretchable sterling silver plated bracelet.

Refreshments provided to enjoy!

Charmed

Book

Connected - A family heirloom in bronze and silver.

Weekend workshop. 8th -9th June 2024.

10am - 4pm each day.

£290

Unique, but originating from the same tree.....I'm talking about Downy oak leaves - but they are just like you and me - individual!

Would you enjoy creating your family tree, or starting a project that can be added to over the years, with an original historic connection? Using organic choices from a majestic oak will inspire and shape your creation to become a meaningful treasure for your family.

In the grounds of Charles Darwin's childhood home, we are lucky to have a unique and rare specimen of Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens) - the UK champion - and probably planted by Darwin's parents (indicated by the trunk circumference of 5.2 meters as it only grows a cm a year), so the tree and Charles grew up together! The tree is still here, very special in its beautiful self, and symbolic of the enduring legacy this great man left us.

Feretia's workshop involves using bronze and silver clay. It is very accessible with every support offered by an accredited guide, to demonstrate, offer ideas and facilitate the skills you will use, encouraging creative imagination.You will be able to make several unique leaves/pieces with different characteristics - and your family tree will evolve!

Day one begins with a focus on a little teaching with demonstration, then you are hands on! Designing - figuring out your design steps (silver and bronze need different making and firing conditions) - preparing, then create and fire your pieces!

Day two you will finish and polish. each piece you have made and assemble and place your family on the branches of your tree design on the print, ready for framing within a shadow display box.

All that will be left to do is decide where it will hang in your home!

Workshop techniques and skills learned:

Preparing and keeping the clay materials fresh.

The differences in medium and uses.

Shaping, rolling and achieving consistency.

Choosing textures and how to apply them.

Sculpting, cutting, inscribing or carving .

Using moulding compound.

Drying the clay and preparing it for firing.

The different methods of firing: torch and kiln.

Polishing, finishing and mounting.

Amongst many others!

Refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own lunch. If a group together is booked, lunch options can be arranged and booked separately.

Feretia provides resources and tools for use on the weekend, includes 10g Silver clay paste, 7g of Silver clay, 30g of bronze clay, and a Darwin's Downy oak print on watercolour paper to use as a base. A shadow box with mounting board to frame your piece will be available to purchase.

More details are provided on enrolment to help you prepare ahead!

Please get in touch if you would prefer an alternative day or date and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Connected

Book

Leaf it to you!

Access workshop in precious metal clay.

10am - 1pm. £65

Create directly from nature, enjoy forever.

Make a pure silver leaf necklace - to create and keep, gift beautifully wrapped, give as an experience or to indulge in together with friends -

Join us in Feretia's beautiful studio in Darwin House on the Mount!

In your 3 hour workshop you will be guided in learning to work with precious metal paste.

Supported by an accredited guide, you will explore the magic of this process and will make a lovely piece of jewellery from leaves you have picked in the grounds of Charles Darwin's childhood home or brought with you if there may be a plant with special meaning you would like to convert to silver to preserve and wear.

Once you have fired your work you will polish and finish by adding to a delicate Sterling silver chain.

Fine silver has a purity 99.9% and may be hallmarked as such.

Feel good. The precious clay Feretia uses is a recycled resource waiting for you to bring to new and sustainable life again.

Feretia workshops provide studio resources for use on the day, and include 10g Silver paste and adjustable Sterling silver chain.

Refreshments are provided to enjoy!

Perfect for absolute beginners to explore something new, with no previous experience working in silver clay necessary!

Please get in touch if you would prefer an alternative day or date and we will do our best to accommodate you. Workshops may be booked with a minimum of two.

Leaf it to you!

Book

It's a wrap!

Access workshop in precious metal clay

10am - 1pm. £65

Make a pure silver bark textured ring.

In this workshop you will be guided in learning to handle roll, cut, texture, size and form a wrap ring using pure silver, lump clay.

Supported by an accredited guide, you will learn how to prepare, handle the clay and achieve a bark texture in the clay (there will be other textures to choose from if your imagination takes flight in a different direction....!) to make your ring ready to dry and then finish in preparation for firing - discovering the delight working in the magic of this medium along the way!

Once your ring is fired, you will shape it, fit it to the size you need and polish and admire your beautiful creation.

Fine silver has a purity 99.9% and may be hallmarked as such.

Feretia workshops provide studio resources for use on the day, and includes 5g Silver clay and 30g of bronze

Refreshments provided.

Please get in touch if you would prefer an alternative day or date and we will do our best to accommodate you. Workshops may be booked with a minimum of two.

It's a wrap!

Book

Gorgeous dangle

Silver Clay access workshop.

3 hr 10am -1pm £65

Suitable for absolute beginners

Make pure silver designs to create a pair of dangle earrings, to gift - beautifully wrapped, give as an experience or to indulge in together with friends - join us in Feretia's lovely studio in Darwin House on the Mount!

In your 3 hour workshop you will be guided in learning to use a mould to create a pair of earrings. You will learn to handle, roll, cut, texture and fashion silver lump clay.

Supported by an accredited guide, you will explore the magic of this process and will make a lovely pair of pure silver earrings from your own imagination, or interpretation from provided project inspiration.

Once you have fired your work and polished your pieces you will attach them onto Sterling silver jump rings and ear hooks, put them on and step up to the mirror!

Fine silver has a purity 99.9% and may be hallmarked as such.

Feel good. The precious clay Feretia uses is a recycled resource waiting for you to bring to new and sustainable life again.

Feretia workshops provide studio resources for use on the day, and include 7g Silver clay and the Sterling silver earring accessories.

Refreshments provided to enjoy!

Gorgeous dangle

Book

Tiny acorn to stretching sapling.....

Access bronze and silver clay day workshop

10 am - 4:30 pm. £140

......And into a might oak will grow! A precious object of art to create and an indelible mark in time to cherish. Design and mark an amazing keepsake using silver and bronze clay with the unique signature of your child!

Starting the day with bronze ( it takes longer to dry and fire) Learn to handle this medium to sculpt, texture and carve a small tree, to you own design or with a little support and one with meaning to you.

The day will progress flipping between the two clays with each stage of designing, creating, preparing for firing and finishing.

You will create a miniature bronze tree with small silver leaves, blossom or seeds, to carry your child special identity and whatever may be meaningful for you to add.

More details will be provided on enrolment to help you prepare!

All the resources to complete this object of art will be available to use on the day in studio, 7g of pure silver clay and 30g of bronze clay. a backing mount for a small shadow box (interior measurement 13 cm squared).

Refreshments are provided, but please bring your own lunch, or call to arrange other hospitality options available.

Tiny acorn....

Book

Silver (precious metal) and bronze (base metal) clay is a wonderful, creative medium to work with. As the name suggests, it is easy to manipulate and form, being soft and malleable. It allows access, with no previous jewellery making experience, in crafting rewarding designs in fine silver or bronze - a memento, objet d’art, or piece of jewellery.

Originating in Japan in 1990, precious metal clay came first, followed by bronze and other alloys in 2008. It is a material of tiny particles of these base or precious metals combined with water and an organic, non-toxic binder.

As the clay in its green form is soft, it can be shaped, sculpted, cut, moulded and textured.

Once a design is made, the water evaporates from the clay as it dries. Once dry, whilst more delicate, with care, most finishing of a piece is easier at this stage than to work on the hard fired metal.

With firing, the organic binder burns off and the metal particles bind together and form the metal you originally worked with in clay form: Gold, Fine Silver, or Bronze.

Whilst there is a percentage of shrinkage during firing, the beauty is, the design integrity is not affected, so reveals the results you are expecting.

Workshops are held in Feretia’s studio for you to come and have a go - and some fun - in expressing your creativity in a new way!

What is silver and bronze clay?

FERETIA

FERETIA ATELIER

Come on in!

Silver and bronze clay workshops
Explore your inherent creativity

Workshops

What is silver and bronze clay?

Subscribe to Site

All designs and content within Feretia's collections,
workshops and classes, are the intellectual property
and owned, with exclusive rights, by Feretia Ltd.
Fully protected under copyright law.

FERETIA ATELIER

Come on in! Silver and bronze clay workshops Explore your inherent creativity

​

Workshops

What is silver and bronze clay?

Subscribe to Site

All designs and content within Feretia's collections, workshops and classes, are the intellectual property and owned, with exclusive rights, by Feretia Ltd. Fully protected under copyright law.

Come on in!

Silver and bronze clay workshops
Explore your inherent creativity

All designs and content within Feretia's collections,
workshops and classes, are the intellectual property
and owned, with exclusive rights, by Feretia Ltd.
Fully protected under copyright law.