Roll of Honour at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery

 

Marion Wilson MCSJ Dip. MC

My journey with jewellery began many years ago after taking some classes. I have been a potter for ever, but felt I wanted to explore new materials and move into jewellery. Metal Clay gave me the flexibility and liberation I was looking for to begin designing and making wearable pieces of art.

Originally I just wanted to make my own findings but it has now become so much more. I love mixing the media according the piece I have in mind and am always experimenting with new combinations and incorporating found objects. PMC now forms an integral part of my work, providing infinite textural and three-dimensional opportunities.

Much of my work so far has been for bespoke and commission work, which I love. It is both exciting and nerve racking taking on the challenge of turning someone else's dream into a reality, but the results are always worth it.

I also like to teach both Jewellery workshops and Precious Metal Clay workshops, including PMC, Art Clay, Bronze Clay, Copper Clay, glass fusing, beading and wirework. My classes range from beginners to the more experienced artist. Please see the section on courses for more details.

Visit Marion Wilson's website here

 

Tracey Spurgin MCSJ Dip. MC

Tracey Spurgin has been in the creative world for just over 30 years. She first trained in fashion design and textiles, weaving through her life picking up many new art and creative skills along the way, working with different media, always in a professional capacity. 

The discovery of metal clay was purely accidental, but quickly became her devoted joy. All those previous skills acquired in other media such as ceramics, polymer clay, silk and glass painting dovetailed into the transition of working with metal clay.

Tracey is now the owner and Principal of Craftworx Jewellery Workshops. Her studio is part of an artists’ community that enjoys running joint activities such as open studio and summer school events bringing all seven artists together.

When she is not teaching at her own studio based at Cold Harbour Farm in East Yorkshire, Tracey travels far and wide across the country to teach at other venues as well. In addition she visits trade shows and exhibitions to demonstrate and promote her passion for metal clay.

Visit Tracey's website here

Anna Campbell MCSJ Dip. MC

As a child I always loved jewellery and would make bits and pieces out of whatever I had, I remember some very 'experimental' pieces made of wool! My thoughts first turned to jewellery making seriously when I visited Central St Martins on an Art trip with college. I couldn't believe that you could study jewellery as a degree! At that time I chose to study Psychology but the idea of learning how to make silver jewellery stayed at the back of my mind. I took a silversmithing course but didn't get the 'eureka' moment until I started working with silver clay. After that I was hooked! I took my Art Clay level 1 certificate and then followed the Metal Clay Diploma programme. I wanted to stretch myself and learn the best techniques. 

I take my inspiration from all around. I am particularly inspired at the moment by reflections, shadows and landscapes. I love whimiscal jewellery that communicates a little bit of your personality.

I have been a teacher of Psychology for over ten years and now I'm looking forward to teaching silver clay classes. 

Visit Anna's website here.

Jane Fisher Smith MCSJ Dip. MC

My name is Jane Fisher-Smith. I have a small studio in my home in Tavistock where I make a variety of jewellery from informal day wear to formal and bridal pieces. My work is made from a variety of media including sterling and fine silver, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystal, precious and semi-precious stones and beads.

Creativity has been a part of my life since school and jewellery making has enabled me to carry on with that need to make things. Having now retired from a 33 year career in nursing I am now able to focus my time on making my hobby into a new career. Having taught nursing at both academic and clinical levels I have the necessary skills to support students of all levels.

Since being grabbed by the metal clay bug I have completed the MCSJ Diploma. Metal Clay has enabled me to expand my range of jewellery through its versatility as a media and I am excited to be a part of the MCSJ Home Study Diploma Programme.

Visit Jane's website here

Sarah Warden-Smith MCSJ Dip. MC

I have come to realise that I have been a creative person for most of my life, from a young age, beginning with painting and pottery, moving on the pastel drawings, knitting, crochet and sewing. I only started making jewellery however in the last five years. Starting out with semi precious stones and silver wire I taught myself wireworking and also went on a silversmithing course. My husband and I started a silver finger print business about four years ago so I discovered and fell in love with metal clay. This led me on a voyage of discovery and learning that I have enjoyed immensely and still continues.

Working in the IT industry for the best part of twenty years, I have taught IT at a local college as well as running my own IT support company working with small to medium enterprises. I am now developing my career building on my teaching skills and experience and my love of jewellery making and have started teaching Metal Clay, Silversmithing and Wire Working classes under my business, Bezeal Jewellery Courses. I also make and sell jewellery at various events in Wales as well as undertaking commissions.

In recent years I became a voluntary director of Dragon Artists and Makers, a not for profit organisation that supports artisans in Wales. I am also a member of the Art Clay Guild, the PMC Guild and the Association for Contemporary Jewellery (Welsh Region).

Dawn Shackley HDMC

I have always loved beads and jewellery, and first started making jewellery when I was a child. I began lampworking around 5 years ago, with a beginner course with Ray Skene. I have since done lampwork courses with Dora Schubert on enamels and foils, and a course on sandblasting and surface techniques with Julie-Ann Denton.

I began playing with silver metal clay at about the same time I began lampworking. After parting company with the computer industry in 2010, I had the opportunity to re-train, and took the Diploma course at Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery - and have not looked back! I love the possibilities of combining glass and silver, and enjoy experimenting with different materials to make jewellery.

I teach classes in lampworking and metal clay in my studio on the edge of the beautiful Gower peninsula in South Wales.

Visit Dawn's website here

Some examples of Dawn's work

Some examples of Chu-mei's work

 

Chu-mei Ho HDMC

I have always enjoyed making things, from general crafting, sewing, crochet or just gluing bits and bobs together. A couple of years ago, while looking to learn more jewellery making techniques, I discovered the magic of metal clay which is truly a fantastic media to work with. Most of my training has been at Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery and London Jewellery School with various British metal clay artists.

I love the shabby chic style, cute Japanese accessories and am very fond of Goth inspired art. I also take inspiration from anything around me and sometimes I find the best designs come through trial and error, which often leads to something quite unique and different.

After being a “regular” at London Jewellery School, the school director, Jessica Rose, asked me to be part of the team. Now I’m teaching metal clay and other jewellery making classes while continuing to work on my own creations. I’m grateful for each and every opportunity I have been given and thank all my fantastic teachers, who have been very generous passing on their knowledge and tips in working with metal clay.

Visit Chu-mei's website

 

Sharon Burton HDMC

I first found out about PMC in 2006 and instantly fell in love with it. After experimenting at home for a while, I did several courses at MCSJ and haven't looked back.

I'm a marine engineer by trade so find the way you can construct metal clay fascinating and full of endless possibilities. My biggest problem is finding the time to 'play' but once settled at my workbench I'm lost in what I'm doing.

I've just signed up for the Metal Clay Masters Registry so that achieving the first level is my next challenge. I don't have a website at the moment but watch this space.

Some examples of Sharon's work

Pat Waddington HDMC

An example of Pat's work

Shirley Hallett HDMC